Introducing Allergens With Baby Led Weaning

The thought and task of introducing allergens can bring on a lot of anxiety and stress for a new mom. However, if you are prepared and in-the-know, you will feel so much more confident and prepared to handle it. So let’s take a look at what the recent recommendations are…

Recent studies, confirmed by the American Academy of Pediatrics, have shown that introducing allergens early on after starting solids, can reduce the risk of developing an allergy. The typical age for starting solids is 6 months. Always check with your pediatrician first.

The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) developed guidelines for early peanut introduction endorsed by the AAP.  This includes adding infant-safe forms of peanut to the diet for most babies, as early as around 6 months, after other solid foods are tolerated.  
–HealthyChildren.Org

To get started with allergens:

• First, it is important to consider whether your child is at no, low, moderate or high risk of having an allergy. See below about how to determine your baby’s risk level and ~always~ check with your Pediatrician as needed.

• For peanut butter, it’s also important to know that thick peanut butter can be a choking hazard. So, serve a thin spread of it. You could also dilute it with water and dip the end of foods like apples or banana into it.

• Always use a creamy peanut butter – never a chunky one.

top 8 allergenic foods:

• Wheat
• Cow’s milk
• Peanuts
• Tree nuts (such as walnuts or almonds)
• Fish
• Shellfish
• Soy
• Eggs

Here is how to keep an eye out for allergies:

• Supervise the child for 2 hours after eating to look for any symptoms of an allergy. 

Allergy symptoms include: 

• Runny nose
• Redness or swelling in the eyes, mouth, or face
• Irritation in the throat area
• Hives or welts.
• Flushed skin or rash.
• Face, tongue, or lip swelling.
• Vomiting and/or diarrhea.
• Coughing or wheezing.
• Difficulty breathing.
• Loss of consciousness.

How to determine if your child might be at high risk for an allergy:

• Babies with severe eczema are more likely to develop a peanut allergy. Babies with severe eczema, egg allergy, or both should see a specialist to discuss testing and determine how to safely expose the child to peanut products.

• In children with severe eczema, egg allergy or both that has been diagnosed based on testing, parents should introduce peanut products under supervision at their doctor’s office, Sicherer noted.

{Related Article}: 

Everything You Need To Know Before Starting Baby Led Weaning 

The above allergen recommendations come from Healthline.

So plan to serve any allergenic foods early on after starting solids and at home, in a tiny amount at first, to determine if your child has any reaction. You can be prepared for an emergency by being at home and monitoring your child for the recommended 2 hours after eating. 

 

Here’s a more specific example of when to introduce allergens:

• Maybe you start solids at 6 months and your baby is doing well with the foods you give them for the first month. 
• You are now more adjusted to serving solids and watching your baby interact with them. 
• You feel more comfortable and confident with solids. 
• You’re aware of what an allergy can look like, how to do infant cpr and what you will do in case of any reaction. 
• So you smear a tiny brushing of peanut butter on some lightly toasted toast, or you serve a couple flakes of salmon with rice. 

This would be an example of introducing allergens early on after starting solids.

In my article Everything You Need To Know Before Starting Baby Led Weaning, I talk about how taking an infant cpr class can help you feel more prepared for starting solids. This will further equip you to help your child in case of an emergency. You can look for infant cpr classes near you through the American Red Cross. And in the meantime, here is a video from WebMD.

 

Note: Nothing in this article is to replace advice from a medical professional. Always check with your pediatrician for medical advice.