In their baby's third month, many parents begin to look forward to the time when they can start feeding their baby cereal, fruits, vegetables, and other baby food.
Many shouldn't be in such a big rush though.
The American Academy of Pediatrics states that "solid foods should not be introduced into the diet of high-risk infants until 6 months of age." This may help prevent the high-risk baby from developing food allergies himself.
How do you know if your baby is at high risk for developing food allergies?
Risk factors include:
- having another allergic disorder, such as hay fever, asthma, or eczema
- having other food or formula allergies
- having a family member, such as a parent or sibling, with a food allergy or hay fever, asthma, or eczema
It is recommended that these children who are at high for allergies should:
- breastfeed exclusively until they are 6 months old or if not breastfeeding, they should consider drinking a hypoallergenic formula, such as Nutramigen or Alimentum.
- delay eating 'allergy foods,' which are most likely to trigger allergies, until they are:
- 12 months old for milk and dairy products
- 2 years old for eggs
- 3 years old for peanuts, tree nuts, and fish
- continue breastfeeding until they are at least 12 months old or older
Breastfeeding mothers of a baby who is at risk for food allergies might also consider eliminating certain 'allergy foods' from her diet, including peanuts, tree nuts, eggs, cow's milk, and fish.
Parents should talk to their doctor too, as breastfeeding to prevent food allergies is actually a controversial topic, especially if the nursing mother has asthma.
Sources: AAP Policy Statement. Hypoallergenic Infant Formulas. PEDIATRICS Vol. 106 No. 2 August 2000, pp. 346-349.
