Navigating the world of baby food can be daunting, especially when we throw allergenic foods into the mix. But, here's the good news! According to the latest Australian health guidelines, not only is it recommended but also beneficial to start early.
For the majority of bubbas, between the ages of 4 and 6 months - when they can sit without support and maintain neck stability - is the perfect time to begin introducing solid foods. If you're unsure about when your baby is ready, you can check out specific indicators listed in our article on signs of food readiness.
What the Research Says:
- There's No Pecking Order: There isn't a correct order for introducing new foods. However, it's wise to offer one allergenic food per meal. This way, if there's a reaction (food allergies usually show up within 4 hours), you can quickly pinpoint the culprit.
- For Peanuts and Tree Nuts: As soon as your little one can manage pureed foods, introduce these in a baby-safe form. Remember the LEAP study? It highlighted that children who began consuming peanuts before their first birthday and continued until age 5 had a significantly reduced risk of peanut allergies than those who waited till later.
- The Wonder of Wheat: In 2020, it was established that introducing wheat cereal in an infant's diet could notably lower the risk of wheat allergies and celiac disease (EAT study).
The Milk Exception:
The common timeframe of 4-6 months doesn't hold for milk. Most infant formulas have cow’s milk as their base, so your little one is already getting acquainted with milk proteins. Combining a bit of formula with breastmilk from as early as 2 weeks old has shown to be a game-changer in warding off milk allergies and the associated FPIES.
Seeking Medical Advice:
For babies with severe eczema or a diagnosed food allergy, consulting your paediatrician is a prudent first step when introducing other allergenic foods (never feed your baby food they have a diagnosed allergy to unless under the advice or guidance of a doctor). They'll likely advise you to diversify your baby's diet quickly to get their immune system on the right track.
Fear Factor? ModAllergen would love to help
We completely understand the concerns surrounding allergies; they're real and can be frightening. Just as we find comfort in offering our little ones mashed bananas and apple puree, we hope that, with the right guidance and knowledge, introducing peanuts, tree nuts, eggs or other allergenic foods can be approached with the same confidence, provided your bub has no known allergies to them.
The Golden Rule:
Introduce common allergens before your little champion hits the 1-year mark. It's the ideal period to 'train' their immune system, making it recognise what's safe and significantly reduce the chances of adverse reactions.
So, parents and carers, armed with this knowledge, let's make mealtime a delightful and relaxed experience for our tiny tots! ModAllergen is here to help.