Start Gradually to Identify Any Food Allergies

It’s most important to introduce a baby to new foods gradually, one at a time to look for any allergies. For example, if you give your baby three new foods over the course of a day and she develops an allergic reaction you won’t know which of the foods provoked it.

Every time you offer a new food, you should wait three to five days before adding another new item to the menu. Don’t eliminate the other foods your baby is eating during that time; you already know these are safe because the child has not had any food reactions up until now. Just don’t add anything else new. 

The Top 8 Allergenic Foods

The following eight foods and food groups are known to possibly cause problems with allergic reactions – possibly up to 90% of the time. 

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

There is no evidence that waiting until the baby is older prevents food allergy. If you believe your baby has an allergic reaction to a food, such as diarrhea, rash, or vomiting, talk with your child’s doctor about the best choices for the diet.

Within a few months of starting solid foods, your baby’s daily diet should include a variety of foods, such as breast milk, formula, or both; meats; cereal; vegetables; fruits; eggs; and fish. Check our menu for Balanced Plan recommended from 8 months onwards.

Food allergies in the Family 

If there is a family food allergy, then your baby has an increased risk of also developing allergies, although it is not a certainty. It’s best to introduce the 8 allergens gradually, at one-to-two week intervals over time so that you can recognize if an allergy develops.

Protecting Baby Against Food Allergies: Easy Does It

• the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) is now recommending that potential allergens be introduced to your infant earlier rather than later. In doing so, the move may actually help prevent her from developing allergies to those foods.
• Breastfeeding your baby for 4-6 months is the best way to prevent milk allergy. 
• The AAP now advises that, in the case of infants who are at high risk of allergies, peanuts should be introduced between 4-6 months. 
• Other potential allergens such as tree nuts and fish should be introduced over a period of time as you introduce your baby to solid foods, between 6 and 9 months.

Al Lil’ Tots, we develop a variety of meals that tailor to different allergy conditions. Our menu lists all the ingredients of each meal with proper identification of the allergens that are present in the dish. We can customize certain meals in our Balanced Plan to meet certain allergy requirements. Just get in touch with our customer service team via WhatsApp on +971 55 369 50 02 or fill in your inquiry via our Contact Us form. We will do our best to be of service to you and your little bundle of joy.

by Cynthia Bou Khalil, registered clinical dietitian