Babies & Food Allergies

You should slowly introduce new foods to your baby, and you should wait at least one week before introducing a new food. Your baby's first food should be vegetables. If you start giving your baby fruits, he will not want to eat vegetables. When you are introducing new foods, you need to be mindful of food allergies. You should start looking for food allergy symptoms when your baby is six months old. If you give your baby two new foods in one week, you will not know which food caused an allergic reaction.

Infant Food Allergy Symptoms
Vomiting and diarrhea are common food allergy symptoms. You should also look for swelling and rashes. If your baby is having difficulty breathing, you should call 911 immediately. If your baby has a mild reaction to a new food, you should switch back to foods that you know are safe. Your baby's bowel movements will change whenever you introduce any new foods. If the mild side effects last longer than one day, you should contact your baby's pediatrician.

Children Common Food Allergies
There are several common food allergies. Peanuts are one of the leading causes of allergic reactions in children. Peanuts may not be suitable for infants. Honey can also cause an allergic reaction. Children should not consume honey before their first birthday. Honey contains botulism, and the bacteria can damage an infant's digestive system. Shellfish and fish are common allergy foods. Many people are allergic to iodine. Many children are also allergic to milk, soy, eggs and wheat.

When to See an Allergist
You should see an allergist when your baby has an allergic reaction to a new food. An allergist can give your baby a blood test, and the results will let you know what foods your baby should avoid. The allergist can also give your baby a skin test. Most allergists will not perform a skin test until the baby is at least six months old.

Allergic reactions can cause severe medical problems. Food allergies are becoming more common in children. When your infant sees an allergist, you can find out what foods are causing the side effects.

Please feel free to contact our office at any time with questions or concerns! (208) 377-4000