Weaning a child with allergies
Food allergies in babies and children
Food allergies are much more common amongst children who have family members that suffer with allergies. Babies with eczema are at higher risk of having food allergies. The more severe the eczema, and the earlier in life the eczema began, the more likely there is to be a food allergy.
Allergy UK and the Department of Heath recommend that high allergenic foods such as Milk, Eggs, Wheat, Gluten, Soya, Fish, Shellfish Peanuts, Tree Nuts and Seeds can be introduced from 6 months of age. There is little evidence to support delaying introduction of these foods.
Weaning - How do I introduce new foods?
Make sure your child is well at the time of introduction. Delay introducing new foods if they are unwell, have a cough, cold, temperature or have just had any vaccinations. Their immune system will already be in full swing.
Introduce foods one at a time with a gap of at least 3 days between new foods. Food allergies can be delayed so this makes it easier to identify any food that may be causing a reaction.
Try the new food a few times, if there’s no reaction. Once your baby has had several attempts at eating the individual foods you can start mixing them with other foods to increase the variety and enjoyment of the food.
It is really helpful to keep a food and symptom diary to identify any foods that may have triggered a reaction.
By the age of 12 months, your baby should have been introduced to all the major allergenic foods (where appropriate).