I’ve received many relevant nutrition questions from moms since starting Raise Healthy Eaters. So I thought I’d share these questions in the form of regular “Ask the Dietitian” blog posts. If you have a burning nutrition question go ahead and ask away. I will try my best get back to you within 2-3 days – and I just might post about it.
Q: Can parents actually CREATE an allergy by giving baby 2 new foods at a time, or not waiting long enough between introducing two new foods?
A: Giving two foods at once won’t create a food allergy; it will only make it difficult to tell which food made your baby allergic if he or she does have a reaction (vomiting, diarrhea, breathing problems or a rash). The standard wait time after introducing a new food is 2-3 days. Experts don’t know exactly what causes food allergies except that they tend to run in families.
There’s a lack of evidence that any type of feeding regimen makes food allergies more or less likely to happen. According to the newest report from the AAP, there’s little evidence that waiting to introduce highly allergenic foods like egg whites, milk, wheat, soy, peanuts, tree nuts, fish and shellfish and citrus is helpful. In fact, some new studies suggest that introducing these foods earlier may be beneficial but the research is still preliminary.
In my infant feeding guide, I do suggest waiting to introduce highly allergenic foods and spreading them out over time. This way if your child experiences a reaction he or she will be a little older and better able to communicate with you. If you have a family history of food allergies, it’s a good idea to find a pediatrician who has experience in this area.
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References/Resources:
AAP Policy Statement: Effects of Early Nutritional Interventions on the Development of Atopic Disease in Infants and Children (Jan 2008).
This information on this site is for educational purposes only and does not take the place of medical advice. Please verify with your healthcare provider.
