How to Reduce Food Allergies in Babies When Starting Solids

Starting solids with your baby can be stressful. Planning how and when to introduce the top allergens that cause most food allergies in babies can be another stressor. We are all just hoping our baby doesn’t have an allergic reaction when starting solids. About 90% of food allergies are caused by milk, eggs, wheat, soy, tree nuts, peanuts, fish, and shellfish (sesame is the added 9th allergen). There are things we can do to reduce the chances of our kids developing food allergies! If you’re doing baby-led weaning, offering the top allergens is easy because of the many forms to serve each allergen. Allergens could even be one of your baby’s first foods. Be sure you know your baby’s risk of developing a food allergy and how to best prepare for the first time each allergen is offered.

New research has shown that offering the top allergen foods early and often can prevent the development of food allergies! The Learning Early About Peanut Allergy (LEAP) study followed 640 infants for 5 years who were considered to be high-risk of developing a peanut allergy. Half the infants avoided peanuts and half were fed peanut-containing foods several times a week. By 5 years old the children who were consistently fed peanuts starting at ages 4-11 months had a much lower prevalence of peanut allergy (>80% reduction in peanut allergy prevalence). Amazing! When one family member has a food allergy it impacts the individual and the whole family for life. These findings can help reduce lifelong struggles for the individuals and caregivers.

Causes of increased risk of food allergies in babies

The researchers of the LEAP study identified severe eczema and previous egg allergies as risk factors for peanut allergy. Genetics also plays a role, so having a first-degree relative increases the risk of developing food allergies too. Before introducing the top allergen foods, talk to your pediatrician or an allergist if your baby has any of these risk factors.

Signs of an allergic reaction to food

Symptoms of an allergic reaction to food can manifest anytime within minutes to a couple hours after eating the food. The most common reactions are mild and include:

• vomiting
• diarrhea
• hives
• eczema

Anaphylaxis is a rare but severe reaction to a food allergy. Symptoms of anaphylaxis are decreased blood pressure, wheezing, a weak and rapid pulse, skin rash, and nausea and vomiting. Anaphylaxis requires immediate medical attention and an injection of epinephrine.

How to introduce allergens to babies

First off, be familiar with the symptoms of an allergic reaction and know if your baby is at an increased risk for food allergies. Additional tips include:

• Make sure your baby is healthy to begin with. Don’t introduce new foods when baby is sick, teething, or fussy for any other reason. If baby is not healthy, it will make it more difficult to identify a food allergy reaction.
• Be sure you can be fully attentive to your baby when he first tries the allergen and up to 2 hours after.
• Try the allergen at home, on a week day, early in the day, and before a nap.
• Offer a small amount of the allergen first, wait a few minutes, and offer more if baby wants.

If your baby does have an allergic reaction visit with your pediatrician before reintroduction.

Other resources that may be of help include these guidelines for the prevention of peanut allergy from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) and tips from the National Peanut Board on preventing peanut allergies.

Be sure to follow me @mydietitian.friend on Instagram for baby-led weaning tips and to watch baby Marley’s starting solids journey!

Resources

Greer, F. R., Sicherer, S. H., Burks, A. W. et al. The Effects of Early Nutritional Interventions on the Development of Atopic Disease in Infants and Children: The Role of Maternal Dietary Restriction, Breastfeeding, Hydrolyzed Formulas, and Timing of Introduction of Allergenic Complementary Foods. American Academy of Pediatrics 143, 4 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.2019-0281