If your little kiddo is just getting ready to start on solid foods, it can feel like a brand new chapter in their life. Understanding the right foods to start out with is a necessity to ensure the health of your child. Here are four known allergens that you should be watching out for when it comes to feeding your child their first bits of solid food.
Eggs
It may come as a surprise to you but eggs are the most allergy-causing food for young children. Many will experience mild to severe symptoms within a few minutes to a few hours after consuming eggs. Symptoms can be rashes, hives, vomiting, nasal congestion, or other digestive problems. It’s important to closely monitor your child during and after feeding them to see if they have any symptoms of an allergic reaction.
Peanut Butter
Peanuts tend to cause a severe allergy for many people. In some cases, the reaction can be life-threatening and require immediate medical assistance. It’s important to note that even tiny amounts of peanut butter can cause reactions, so only do so in small amounts. Most companies will conduct allergen testing on their products to ensure that there are no nuts in their products. However, if there are trace amounts because nuts were produced on the same equipment, this will be specified on the label. If you notice your baby is having reactions to foods with trace amounts of nuts, you can have your doctor conduct the necessary testing.
Milk
Milk from a cow can create an allergic reaction in children. Some common symptoms include wheezing, digestive problems, hives, and vomiting. In some severe cases, a milk allergy can lead to anaphylaxis. If you notice that your child has any of these symptoms, avoid giving them milk. In most cases, children outgrow this allergy as they age.
Soy
The last common allergy that you should be looking for is from soy. Soy is used in the production of many food items. If your child didn’t react to soy-based infant formula, it doesn’t always mean they won’t react to solid foods with soy in them. If you notice that your child has hives, itching, or another common symptom after ingesting soy, it’s time to call the doctor. Most children will outgrow a soy allergy over time.
Understanding common food allergens and what you need to look out for when feeding your baby solid foods can help to ease your nerves about doing so. In many cases, allergic reactions are very slim and mild. If you’re unsure of how to treat these conditions, then it’s best to speak with your healthcare professional first.
