Decreasing the Risk of Food Allergies
These instructions for Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) patients minimize the chances of developing food allergies.
Patient instructions:
Giving many different foods to your child when they are young can reduce their risk of developing food allergies in the future. Don’t delay, reduce the risk!
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Start introducing solid foods around 4-6 months of age, or when safe and appropriate for your child’s development and feeding abilities.
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Begin with pureed fruits and vegetables or cereal grains.
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Introduce one new food at a time.
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Once your baby is tolerating a few solid foods, offer them foods that commonly cause allergies:
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Eggs
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Milk products (for example: yogurt, cheese)
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Peanuts
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Tree nuts (for example: almonds, walnuts, hazelnuts, cashews)
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Wheat
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Fish, shellfish
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Soy products
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Sesame (for example: tahini, hummus)
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Introduce new foods in a way that is safe and appropriate for your child’s development and feeding abilities.
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For example, do not give your baby peanuts, since they can choke on them. Instead, try giving your baby peanut puffs or mixing a teaspoon of peanut butter with their infant cereal.
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Feed your infant new foods only when they are healthy. Do not try new foods when they have a cold, vomiting, diarrhea, or other illness.
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Give the first feeding at home, not at a day care facility or restaurant.
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Make sure at least one adult will be able to focus their attention on the baby.
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Make sure that you will be able to spend about 2 hours with your baby after the feeding.
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Watch them for any signs of an allergic reaction, such as rash, swelling, or breathing problems.
Contact your CHOP healthcare provider with questions or concerns.
In case of a medical emergency, call 911.
Reviewed January 2024 by Hannah Martin