Allergen Feeding Schedule
The Allergen Feeding Schedule aims to introduce allergens to your child as solids for the first time. It keeps pace with the guidelines that research says are protective against food allergies, "at least 2 grams of an allergen three times a week." 42
However, it is essential to understand that dietary diversity is the real goal and to not be overdependent on the Allergen Feeding Schedule or any other infant feeding product. Use these tools to help guide your infant's feeding process and don't feel like you have to follow it perfectly.
The nine major allergens:
- Eggs
- Cow's Milk
- Peanuts
- Wheat
- Tree Nuts
- Fish
- Soy
- Sesame
- Shellfish
The nine major allergens have the highest risk of reaction, so it is important not to introduce more than one simultaneously. This is why we start with one allergen on Day 1 and introduce one new allergen each day.
We work through the nine major allergens in a cyclic pattern, starting with Eggs and ending with Shellfish. Each major allergen is exposed to your child three days in a row before being benched. This makes managing all these different allergens as easy as possible.
When we finish Day 27, we continue the cycle as normal, essentially going back to Day 19 each time.
Meats, Fruits, and Vegetables are there as a reminder to expose your child to these different food groups as often as possible. Since these foods are not as high-risk for food allergy as the major allergens, there is no specific schedule to follow.