| Many parents find the risk of baby food allergies one | | | | 1. Try to delay feeding your baby solid food until he |
| of the most worrying aspects of introducing new | | | | is at least 6 months of age. His immune system will |
| foods to their baby. But there are simple steps you | | | | be better developed by this stage. |
| can take to minimise potential problems and make | | | | 2. Only introduce one new food at a time and wait |
| your child's introduction to solid food a safe and | | | | for a few days to see if a reaction occurs. It will |
| happy one. | | | | then be easy to spot the "problem" food and |
| Allergic reactions take place when your baby's | | | | eliminate it from your baby's diet. |
| immune system mistakenly treats a harmless | | | | 3. Avoid foods that are known to be more likely to |
| substance as a harmful one. Baby food allergy | | | | cause allergic reactions. Examples of such foods |
| symptoms include diarrhea, eczema, nausea, | | | | include eggs (particularly the whites), shellfish, gluten |
| constipation and watery or red eyes. Very rarely, a | | | | and citrus fruits. |
| serious reaction known as allergic shock can occur. | | | | 4. Decide whether or not your baby is at a |
| This can cause the throat and tongue to swell | | | | particularly high risk of developing allergies -- for |
| dangerously, which could lead to choking. In this | | | | example, do you suffer from an allergy yourself? |
| situation, professional medical help must be sought | | | | This can often lead to an increased risk of allergies |
| immediately. | | | | for your baby, although not necessarily to the same |
| Baby food allergies should not be confused with food | | | | allergen (i.e. the substance responsible for the |
| intolerance. A baby with food intolerance would have | | | | reaction). |
| difficulty in digesting a particular type of food, which | | | | 5. Discuss any concerns with a medical professional. |
| can be caused by many other things besides an | | | | Whilst it is sensible to be cautious, it is still important |
| allergen. In either case, diagnosis should be made by a | | | | to remember that baby food allergies only affect |
| medical professional. | | | | around 8% of children. So try to keep things in |
| In order to prevent baby food allergies such as | | | | perspective, introduce new foods individually and stay |
| these, or to identify foods to which your baby | | | | alert for possible reactions -- these measures will give |
| reacts, it is important to follow these simple guidelines | | | | you the confidence to safely introduce the delights |
| -- | | | | of solid food to your little one. |