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!

• Start introducing solid foods around 4-6 months of age, or when safe and appropriate for your child’s development and feeding abilities. 

• Begin with pureed fruits and vegetables or cereal grains.

• Introduce one new food at a time. 

• Once your baby is tolerating a few solid foods, offer them foods that commonly cause allergies:

  • Eggs

  • Milk products (for example: yogurt, cheese)

  • Peanuts

  • Tree nuts (for example: almonds, walnuts, hazelnuts, cashews) 

  • Wheat 

  • Fish, shellfish

  • Soy products

  • Sesame (for example: tahini, hummus)

• Introduce new foods in a way that is safe and appropriate for your child’s development and feeding abilities.

  • 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.

• 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.

• Give the first feeding at home, not at a day care facility or restaurant.

• Make sure at least one adult will be able to focus their attention on the baby.

• Make sure that you will be able to spend about 2 hours with your baby after the feeding.

• 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