Early Introduction of Allergenic Foods: What Parents Need to Know

Any parent knows how hard it is to watch your child go through an illness or deal with severe allergies. We do everything we can to keep our kids safe, healthy, and happy.  Food allergies are one of the challenges some parents face, and they’re absolutely no fun.

For years, the general advice was to keep your child from exposure to food allergens by delaying exposure to the most common allergy-triggering foods. In the past few years, attitudes have shifted. Research finds that introducing those foods as early as possible is a better strategy.

Take a closer look at the medical studies and what research is finding. Then, use Premium Allergy‘s tips to help introduce allergenic foods to your baby in a safe, effective manner.

Why the Switch to Early Introduction of Allergenic Foods?

Until the past decade, advice was to keep allergenic foods out of your baby’s diet. Things like milk and dairy products weren’t to be introduced until after 12 months. Eggs, peanuts, and fish needed to be avoided until later in childhood. 

As parents keep these foods from their kids, something happened: food allergy rates increased. Between 2007 and 2016, severe food allergies increased by 377%.

Then, the “Learning Early About Peanut Allergy (LEAP) Study” came out in 2015. Hundreds of infants between the ages of four and 11 months were included in this research where skin prick allergy tests were performed after the babies consumed peanut products.

The research in this study found that when infants were introduced to peanuts and peanut products early and often, their allergy risk reduced by 86% at five years of age for children who didn’t test positive for allergies at the start and 70% for those who did test positive for allergies in the beginning. 

Due to the results of this study, recommendations are to introduce babies to allergenic foods early and often when they start to eat solid foods, usually around four to six months. This is because frequent experience with allergenic food helps build what’s known as an oral tolerance. The body’s immune system starts to see the food as harmless and allergic symptoms diminish.

Get to Know the Top Nine Food Allergens

What are the major food allergens that should be used to help build oral tolerance in babies? These nine foods account for 90% of food allergic reactions.

1. Cow’s Milk
2. Eggs
3. Fish
4. Peanuts
5. Sesame
6. Shellfish (clams, crab, lobster, mussels, shrimp, etc.)
7. Soy
8. Tree Nuts (almonds, cashews, pistachios, pecans, walnuts, etc.)
9. Wheat

When to Introduce Allergy-Triggering Foods to Your Baby and How to Do It

Current guidelines are to introduce your child to allergenic foods when a baby starts eating solid foods, usually around four to six months. Ask your child’s pediatrician for guidance on when to start. Generally, you’re looking for these signs:

• Sits up independently with very little support
• Opens mouth when offered food
• Chews (gums) and swallows food properly
• Has control of the head and neck
• Shows interest in foods

As you get started introducing allergenic foods, you should:

• Talk to your child’s pediatrician first.
• Make sure you’re present for all new food introductions because you need to monitor for reactions. Don’t leave it to a babysitter, nanny, or daycare where other children may be distractions.
• Introduce non-allergenic foods in a puree or mash form to get your baby used to swallowing solid foods.
• Work with one allergenic food at a time. (You need to be able to identify which food is causing symptoms.)
• Don’t give a lot of an allergenic food at once. Start with very small amounts and work up from there.
• Provide that food consistently to build an oral tolerance slowly over time.
• Make sure you’re offering the allergenic food in an appropriate version. 

When we talk about making sure you’re offering the food item in an appropriate version, the goal is to not have your child choking or eating a food that might not be cooked enough, such as a runny egg yolk.

• Peanuts and Tree Nuts – Mix peanut butter powder, almond flour, etc., into rice cereal or mashed fruit
• Egg – Make scrambled eggs that are smooth and creamy
• Cow’s Milk – Add it in baked items or yogurt rather than a bottle of cow’s milk.
• Wheat, Soy, and Sesame – Offer foods like cream of wheat, soy milk baked into items, or tahini mixed with a bit of water to thin it out.
• Fish and Shellfish -Make sure the fish is fully cooked and in small flakes. Shellfish should be finely chopped.

Watch for reactions and note them as you see them. Share this information with your child’s pediatrician. Ideally, ask for a referral to work with an expert in child food allergies. An allergist is a great partner to help you with the early introduction of foods to prevent food allergies.

Know What an Allergic Reaction Looks Like

If there is an allergic reaction, it’s important to know the key symptoms of food allergies. Before we get to those, know that food allergies are more common in adults than children. One in 10 adults has at least one food allergy, which it’s one in 13 in children. 

That’s still a high percentage. It’s important to watch for allergies after introducing foods and work with an allergist as soon as possible.

• Digestive Symptoms: Diarrhea, nausea, stomach cramps, and vomiting
• Respiratory: Congestion, coughing, difficulty breathing, runny nose, shortness of breath, and wheezing
• Skin Symptoms: Eczema flare-ups, flushing, hives, and swelling of the face, lips, or tongue.

Those mild symptoms aren’t alarming, but you should make an appointment with a doctor who specializes in allergies. Talk to your child’s pediatrician if you need to get a referral first. There are ways to reduce the inflammatory response, and an allergist helps with this.

Severe reactions may trigger a dangerous condition known as anaphylaxis. If any of these symptoms occur, do not wait. Call 911 or immediately go to the ER.

• Change in skin color (bluish tone or very pale)
• Dizziness
• Drop in blood pressure
• Weak pulse

Be Prepared for Reactions

Early introduction to allergens sounds alarming, especially if you grew up being warned about giving children foods too early, but it’s better. Introducing your baby to common food allergens is an important tool in preventing or lowering the severity of food allergies. 

By following the steps on how and when to introduce foods and by working with your child’s allergy doctor and pediatrician, it’s effective. You still need to be prepared emotionally and mentally for possible reactions. Be ready to act just in case.

Premium Allergy & Respiratory Center is here to help you put your child on a path towards a healthy childhood. We work with families to create personalized programs and continued support as you introduce allergenic foods. Make an appointment today.