Babies allergenic foods
Is it now time to start solid foods with your baby? Is your baby ready to eat? Wondering when and how to introduce allergenic foods? This article is for you.
It has long been believed that it is better to delay the introduction of the main foods that cause allergies. Today, it is recommended to quickly introduce these foods. Especially if your child is at risk of developing a food allergy.
How to introduce allergenic foods?
You can start introducing allergenic foods when the baby is ready to take solid foods in general.
The introduction of allergenic foods is done in the same way as for other foods.
#1 Make sure your baby is ready to eat
- He sits upright without help.
- He supports and controls his head.
- He shows interest in food. He is able to catch them and put them in his mouth.
- He is able to push a spoon out of his hand and turn his head.
#2 Start with non-allergenic foods
You will be able to see how he reacts with the food offered. This will allow you to better recognize an allergic reaction if it occurs.
It is best to start offering iron-rich foods.
For example, fortified baby cereals or protein foods like chicken or legumes.
#3 Introduce allergenic foods to your diet
Ideally as soon as possible, around 6 months, but not before 4 months.
The main foods that cause allergies are:
Early introduction of peanuts may protect against developing peanut allergy
Read Also, What Types Of Foods allergens Can Trigger Allergies?
#4 Offer only one new baby food at a time
Offer this same food for 2-3 days before offering a new one. This will allow you to see if your baby is having an allergic reaction.
#5 Continue to offer allergenic foods
Once they have been introduced, continue to offer allergenic foods regularly (twice weekly)). This is even more important for children at risk. To maintain tolerance. Trying to eat food and not eating it regularly may lead to the development of food allergies.
Please keep in mind that some babies may still experience food allergies In spite of this advice. If your baby has an allergy, stop giving that food and go to the doctor for medical consultation.
Is your child at risk of developing a food allergy?
Consult your doctor. He can advise you on how to react in case of problems and reassure you.
How to offer allergenic foods every week?
It is important to regularly offer allergenic foods to babies at risk. Thus, their bodies get used to these foods. It also decreases the risk that they will develop an allergy later.
Know that it only takes a small amount at a time, just to taste. Here are some tips to make it easier:
- Add the allergenic foods already tested to baby purees.
- Prepare a large number of pancakes containing the allergens already tested in babies (e.g. wheat flour, milk, eggs, peanut butter).
- Freeze them to keep them in reserve. You will only have to thaw them as you go.
Keep in mind that milk, eggs, peanuts, and nuts are the foods that most commonly cause allergies. Focus on these.
Cow milk :
starting at 6 months of age, you can offer a small amount of cow’s milk to the baby. For example, give a spoon of milk from time to time or incorporate it into a recipe.
Wait 9 months before giving the baby a glass of milk to drink.
Beware of the risk of suffocation
Pay attention to the risk of suffocation, especially with nuts and peanuts. These foods are too hard for babies. Peanut or nut butter is too sticky and could also cause choking.
Eggs:
Serve well-cooked eggs and smooth peanut butter/paste in small amounts as a start, like what you do with other foods. You can choose to do this during feeding during the day instead of the evening, so you can monitor your baby and react immediately if he has an allergic reaction.
Gradually increase the amount if your child does not have any allergic reactions, for example, a teaspoon next time.
Here is what you can do to offer these foods to your baby:
- Dilute peanut or nut butter in a little water.
- Add powdered nuts to baby cereal, fruit compotes, pancakes or homemade pancakes.
- Use nut powder to replace breadcrumbs in a recipe.
- Spread a small amount of peanut butter on a roast.
[junkie-alert style=”red”] Do not test allergenic foods on the baby’s skin! [/junkie-alert]
Allergenic foods should not be tested on the baby’s skin to check if he is allergic to it. For example, if you put a little peanut butter or cow’s milk on the baby’s skin, this can increase the risk of allergy. It is therefore important to start with oral exposure when introducing allergenic foods.
Is your baby at risk of developing a food allergy? Do you have any concerns on the subject? Ask your doctor for advice.