As a child nutritionist and mom, I hear many new parents get nervous when it comes to introducing allergen foods. There is so much anxiety around it and a lot of parents still follow the old advice which is to wait till 1 year of age before introducing any of them (Peanuts, tree nuts, sesame, dairy, fish, shell fish, soy,egg and wheat). The science, however has moved on and new guidance is actually very reassuring.Research now shows that in fact early introduction of common allergens (between 6-12 months) actually can reduce the chance of your child developing food allergies as it allows the body to build tolerance .Also, these are very nutritious foods that we want baby to be having early on. The landmark LEAP study proved that babies who had peanuts early had an 81% lower risk of peanut allergy. The American Academy of Paediatrics and leading allergenists worldwide now say there is no reason to delay introducing allergens once your baby has started solids.In India, where a lot of these allergens are given everyday, this is even more relevant. Delaying these foods can actually increase the risk rather than protect against it.Most babies have no major risk factors and can start allergens early around 6 months.High risk babies are those with:
- Eczema
- Asthma
- An existing food allergy
In these cases, it is important to speak to your paediatrician. You can do an allergy test to check to be sure of any allergies, but these are also not 100% accurate. Even if your child is high – risk the recommendations are still to introduce the allergens on time. You can do it a safer way by just rubbing some inside the mouth first and then allowing them to ingest it after no reaction was seen. Studies even show introducing it even earlier around 4 months can be a good idea to help the body build tolerance. If there is a family history of allergies, it was previously thought that the kids and siblings would automatically have the allergies as well, but this is a misconception. There is no evidence that a younger sibling of a child with a food allergy has an increased risk to develop that same food allergy.
How to introduce allergens the safe way
1.Start small and one at a time Begin with a tiny amount ,around ¼ teaspoon of thinned peanut butter mixed in oatmeal or a tiny piece of scrambled egg. The next day double the quantity as a baby can react to more of the protein.2.Do it early in the day Introduce new allergens in the morning or right after a nap. Reactions usually happen within minutes or up to two hours. 3.Keep serving regularly Once a food is accepted, offer it at least once a week. Regular exposure is what helps the body learn it is safe.4.Make it baby-friendly and Indian-styleoPeanut:Thin peanut butter stirred into khichadi or curd.oEgg: Soft scrambled egg mashed into avocado.oDairy products: cook with some ghee, butter or add some scrambled paneer, yogurt into their foodoWheat: Tiny pieces of soft roti or whole-wheat pasta.oSesame: Make tahini and offer with beetrootoFish: Flaked boiled salmon mashed into some potato
What reactions to watch for
Mild signs will include itchy mouth, a few hives, sneezing, mild tummy upset. More serious signs (call emergency services immediately): swelling of face/lips, hives, vomiting, wheezing, sudden lethargy. You can always ask the paediatrician to give you an antihistamine to keep at home.If after 2 hours, you notice your baby is fine but later in the day they are gassy, uneasy, constipated that means they are sensitive to the food, they are having trouble digesting it. For this you make a note, take a break for two weeks and try again. Let their tummy get stronger.The bottom line? Introducing allergens early is not about being brave, it’s about giving your baby the best chance of enjoying food freely. As Indian parents, we already have such a rich, varied kitchen. Let’s use it wisely and raise adventurous, confident eaters.
