Food allergies and babies
With so much talk about food allergies, it’s natural to be concerned about what to feed your baby. This
article will help you understand what a food allergy is, when to introduce foods that most often cause
food allergies, and when you should get more help if you think your baby has a food allergy.
What is a food allergy?
A food allergy is when the body’s immune system mistakes a food as harmful and this causes a reaction.
Allergic reactions can be mild to severe.
Which foods are most likely to cause an allergic reaction?
Foods that are most likely to cause an allergic reaction include:
Eggs
Fish
Milk
Nuts
Peanuts
Sesame
Shellfish
Soy
Wheat
These foods are called “common allergen” foods.
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Is my baby at high or low risk for developing food allergies?
Your baby may be at high risk for developing food allergies if a parent, sister or brother has an allergic
condition such as: food allergies, eczema, asthma or hay fever. Your baby is at lower risk if no parent,
sister or brother has an allergic condition.
While pregnant and breastfeeding, should I avoid common allergen
foods to prevent food allergies in my baby?
No. You do not need to avoid common allergen foods while pregnant or breastfeeding even if your baby
may be at higher risk for food allergies. If you choose to avoid certain foods while pregnant or
breastfeeding, speak with a Registered Dietitian or your health care provider to make sure you are
getting all the nutrients you and your baby need.
Should I delay giving my baby common allergen foods that may cause
an allergic reaction?
No. When you begin solids at around 6 months, you can give your baby foods like eggs, fish and wheat
as part of their diet. Avoiding or waiting to give these foods will not prevent allergies, even in babies with
a family history of food allergy. Use this sample meal plan to help you feed your baby. If you are
concerned about food allergies, introduce common allergen foods one at a time, and wait two days
before you offer another common allergen food. This makes it easier to tell which food is the problem if
your baby has an allergic reaction. You can keep track of what your baby is eating so you can be sure of
what food is causing the reaction.
How can I tell if my baby is having an allergic reaction?
Signs of food allergies include:
Flushed face
Hives or a rash
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Red and itchy skin
Swelling of the eyes, face, lips, throat and tongue
Trouble breathing or swallowing
Fainting, paleness and weakness
Diarrhea, vomiting
These signs can be mild to severe. They can appear after a few minutes of giving a food and often will
happen within two hours of having the food. Signs can also show up hours or days later, but this is rare.
How do I know if my baby needs medical attention?
If you are concerned that a food is causing your baby an allergic reaction, stop giving the food and talk
to your baby’s doctor. Signs of severe food allergy require attention right away. Call 911 or the local
emergency number immediately if you see these signs of a severe allergic reaction:
Swelling of your baby’s mouth, tongue and throat
Hives that are spreading
Difficulty breathing
Difficulty swallowing or hoarse voice
Pale or blue colour of your baby’s face or lips
Faintness, weakness or passing out
Bottom line
While you are pregnant and breastfeeding, you do not need to avoid common allergen foods even if your
baby may be at higher risk for food allergies. If you choose to avoid certain foods, speak with a
Registered Dietitian. When you begin solids at around 6 months, you can give your baby foods like
eggs, fish or wheat. Avoiding or waiting to give these foods will not prevent food allergies. If you are
concerned that a food is causing your baby an allergic reaction, stop giving the food and talk to your
baby’s doctor. Signs of severe food allergy require attention right away. If you have questions about food
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allergies, talk with your baby’s health care provider.
You may also be interested in:
Introducing solid food to your baby
All about homemade baby food
All about store bought baby food
This content from www.eatrightontario.ca is Copyright © Dietitians of Canada 2015, unless otherwise indicated.
The content is not meant to replace advice from your medical doctor or counselling from a Registered Dietitian.
It is intended for educational purposes only. Dietitians of Canada acknowledges the financial support of EatRight
Ontario by the Ontario government. The views expressed do not necessarily reflect those of the province.
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