During Childhood
Feeding allergens to your child helps their oral tolerance development.
When should I introduce allergens as solids to my child?
As soon as your child can properly digest solids, which typically happens at four to six months old; the earlier you introduce allergens, the better.42
How much of an allergen should I give, and how often?
At least 2 grams of an allergen three times a week significantly reduces the allergy risk to the given allergen.42
How do you get allergens into an edible form?
Puree, grind, mash, dilute, blend, or premasticate as needed.
Your child's ability to eat different food forms will change with age and experience. Just make sure it is in a safe form that does not present a choking hazard.
Four characteristics of a choking hazard:
- Small
- Round
- Hard
- Slippery
A nice big piece of food such as a chicken drumstick is a great starting point for introducing solids. As your child develops better oral motor skills over time, they can progress on to smaller yet softer textures like shredded chicken, and eventually to smaller and harder textures like chopped chicken, which poses a greater choking threat.
Allergens can be combined with other foods, such as being blended with yogurt, without impacting oral tolerance. Ensure your child is not allergic to the other foods before mixing potential allergens with them. For safety, don't combine multiple potential allergens at once; when first introducing allergens, do so in isolation, so you know what food caused a reaction if one occurs.
Does the type of food I give them matter?
Ideally, the food you give your child has one ingredient and as few toxins as possible to reduce the number of variables that could impact your child.
Foods exposed to fewer pesticides, minimally processed, and not packaged have the least amount of toxins. Organic and fresh foods more closely mimic this pattern than non-organic and processed foods.
How do I know if my child is having an allergic reaction?
Mild or moderate allergic reactions can include the following symptoms:
- rash or hives
- runny or itchy nose
- itching or tingling of the mouth
- swelling of the lips, face
- abdominal pain, diarrhea, nausea, or vomiting
Symptoms that indicate a severe allergic reaction (seek immediate medical attention):
- difficulty breathing, tightening of the airways
- swelling of the tongue or throat
- shock with a severe drop in blood pressure
- rapid pulse
- dizziness, lightheadedness, or loss of consciousness
Note: Your child can develop food allergies at any point, so pay attention to see if your child has symptoms after food introduction. If they have symptoms or are at high risk for developing food allergies due to having severe eczema or a family history of allergy, then work with a pediatric allergist. Consult your doctor for medical advice and treatment before starting any program.