Allergies are a serious thing, so the sooner you understand whether your baby is allergic to something or not, the better. However, the first steps toward this can be very hard to make. The main concern parents of a newborn have is that any kind of allergic reaction could have a serious impact on the baby, so it is always important to be careful. And even though this statement is true, it’s still crucial to introduce allergens to your kid when the time comes. So how to do it right? This guide will give you some tips on what you should do to ensure your baby’s safety when giving allergens to them for the first time ever.
When should I introduce allergens to my child?
Before you do that, it’s best for you to first make sure that your baby is ready for it. Look for such signs as:
- They show interest in food
- They know how to sit up without any support
- They can control their head and neck without any problems
- They can swallow the food
If everything is alright, then it’s time for the next step. Now, you can try to give your baby less allergenic food such as cereal, just so that transition between different types of food wouldn’t feel so drastic. After that, you can try to give the first allergens to your baby.
What type of allergens can you give to your baby?
Eggs and peanuts are not the only products that can cause allergies. Here is a list of products that are considered the most common allergens:
- Cow’s milk
- Eggs
- Peanuts and tree nuts
- Soybean
- Wheat
- Shellfish
Once your baby shows signs of readiness for solid foods, start introducing allergens one by one without a rush. When it comes to milk, it might make sense to wait a little bit, since it’s recommended to start giving cow’s milk after the first year of a baby’s life. However, it is always individual, so it’s best to talk to your doctor to find out what kind of food it’s best to give to your baby now.
More tips on introducing allergens to your little one
Down below, you can find a few more tips on how to introduce allergens to your baby:
- Don’t give your baby any new allergens if they are sick.
You never know how a child might react to something they’re eating for the first time. This is why it is best to introduce new allergens when your little one is 100% healthy.
- Always have at least 1-2 adults watching your baby after introducing any new allergens.
It’s always important to watch your baby for a couple of hours after giving any kind of allergens for the first time. During these few hours, an allergic reaction might occur, so there should be an adult who will react fast.
- Don’t introduce allergens too early.
Once again, it’s always better to be 100% sure that your baby is ready. Sometimes, just some food issues can be mistaken for allergic reactions.
- Buy special foods for your baby to make their diet more diverse.
There are tons of stores that offer mashed foods and various dishes and snacks adjusted to baby’s needs. Just make sure you check the source link of the store you’re going to buy baby food from so that you would be 100% sure that the shop is legit.
Final words
If you just follow a few simple recommendations, it will be much easier for you to introduce solid foods and allergens to your baby. However, you need to keep two things in mind: always talk to your pediatrician before making any changes to a baby’s diet. It’s always a good idea to talk to your doctor first. Good luck to you!