If you’re wondering how to introduce allergens to your baby or if you need to delay the introduction of any allergens, below I share a step-by-step guide.
Introduce allergenic foods early
As many folks know, the current recommendation is to introduce allergenic foods when beginning solids.
This means that at around 6 months old, pediatricians are suggesting that you give your baby foods like peanut butter, nut butter made from tree nuts like almonds and cashews, eggs, and cow’s milk.
A really important study published in 2015 called the LEAP trial showed that peanut allergies were more common in babies who avoided peanuts opposed to those who ate peanuts early on. This was even true for babies who were “sensitized” to peanuts – meaning they showed a positive skin prick test to peanuts. This study made a big impact on the recommendations around allergens because it was very large, with 640 little ones ages 4 – 11 months old.
In other words, it looks like exposure to allergens within the first year is a good thing. It educates baby’s immune system and safeguards against an overreactive response to common foods.
New tips on introducing allergens
In 2017, the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) published some notes and protocols to add to the official 2010 “Guidelines for the diagnosis and management of food allergy in the United States.”
The experts who put these recommendations together advise parents to introduce peanuts as early as 4 – 6 months (depending on baby’s readiness) but after other solid foods have been introduced.
For babies with severe eczema or egg allergy, the recommendations for peanut introduction are the same. However, a blood test or skin prick test can help parents pinpoint a true negative result before the introduction of peanuts.
Generally, it’s NOT recommended that you do a full food allergen panel because this can lead to overdiagnosis of food allergy or unnecessary food restrictions.
I have seen this first hand: Within the first year, many babies “grow out” of allergies that show up as eczema or mucus-filled and bloody stool.
And for little ones who have an allergic response to food triggers in breast milk, a prebiotic with beta-glucan can help to balance baby’s immune signals.
How to introduce peanut butter to your baby
When introducing peanuts, the official amount to begin with is roughly half a tablespoon over the course of 3 feedings.
You could certainly do more. The idea is repeat exposure along with other foods once beginning solids. If you happen to start later than 6 months, no worries. The large LEAP trial saw that exposure beginning anywhere from 4 – 11 months old was associated with a lower risk of peanut allergy.
Also, it’s worth noting that when mama eats peanuts while breastfeeding and introduces peanuts before 12 months, there’s a lower risk of peanut allergy developing.
When introducing peanut butter:
- Introduce peanuts only when baby is healthy. Avoid if baby is sick or showing signs of tummy troubles.
- Introduce at home (not at daycare or restaurant).
- Make sure you’re available to give baby your full attention for at least 2 hours after you’ve introduced peanut butter.
- Offer baby a small taste of peanut butter. Wait 10 minutes and watch for a response. If there isn’t one, slowly offer the remainder of the peanut butter.
- Start with 2 teaspoons of peanut butter. You can thin it with equal parts (2 teaspoons) of water, ghee, coconut oil, or pureed baby food.
Signs of a mild allergic response:
- A new rash
- Hives around the mouth or face
Signs of a severe allergic response:
- Lip swelling
- Vomiting
- Hives or welts all over the body
- Face or tongue swelling
- Trouble breathing
- Wheezing
- Coughing
- Change in skin color to pale blue
- Sudden tiredness
What about other allergens?
So now we know: If you want to reduce your little one’s risk of peanut allergy, eat peanuts while breastfeeding and make sure you introduce peanuts sometime between 6 – 11 months.
But what about other common allergens?
It’s thought that the rules for avoiding peanut allergy are the same for other allergenic foods.
For example, if you delay the introduction of eggs or cow’s milk past 12 months, there’s a greater likelihood that your little one will develop an allergy to these foods.
What this means is that exposure is good. And while you don’t want to go overboard on some foods that block iron absorption – like cow’s milk, nuts, and even eggs – it’s a very good idea to make these foods a regular part of mealtime.
Did you introduce common allergens to your little one before 12 months? Tell me about it in the comments!
What has your research shown about the effectiveness of eating typical allergens while pregnant?
Hey Ashley,
Thanks for the great question! From what I’ve seen, exposure during pregnancy (through your diet) plays a role in tolerance. Meaning, it decreases the risk of allergies developing 👍
Thanks for this! I have an IgG allergy to eggs so avoided them completely while pregnant and breastfeeding. I fed my 8 month old baby egg yolk twice, a week apart, and he vomited a few hours later both times…should I start to include eggs in my own diet to get him some exposer that way first? Should I keep trying the egg yolk? Thanks so much 🙂
Hey Robyn,
If eggs don’t work for you, I wouldn’t add them to your own diet. One thing you can do is a few weeks and then try eggs again in a VERY small amount. Maybe 1/8 of a teaspoon. And work from there. (And if you have a chance, LMK how it goes 😉 You can build up a tolerance with repeated, small exposure. That’s the idea behind products like SpoonfulOne: https://amzn.to/2GO3kf4
Hope this helps, xxo!!
Thank-you so much, we will give this a try!
What about grains? Like wheat? I’ve been avoiding for the sake of gut health, but is that wrong? Would a homemade sourdough be beneficial, or over the top?
Hey Katy!
This is a question I get all the time because so many folks follow a paleo diet or are doing Whole30. Here’s my take: If your body does well with wheat or homemade sourdough – then exposing your little one to those food proteins is a good thing. It will also diversify and enrich gut microbes. However, if you can’t go near gluten or other grains because you have an immune response to them (non-celiac gluten sensitivity, autoimmunity) then I would stick you what you’re doing and avoid them. Likewise, if your baby has an obvious response to grains (eczema are mucus-filled stool are the most common) then they’re worth avoiding or working with very small amounts.
Hope this helps, xxo!!
hi megan! this was super helpful – thank you! however, i still have questions for you… early on, i noticed my son (now 6.5 months) didn’t do well if i had dairy or peanuts. he also developed eczema around 2 months 😭 so i cut dairy and peanuts out of my diet. we started him on solids around 4.5 months and he’s done really well! i wanted to see if he could tolerate dairy in my breast milk again so i ate some butter and he had a major eczema flair up – rash on cheeks and all over body really. and this week i ate some peanut butter and same thing happened but not as bad. my pediatrician isn’t very helpful with guidance going forward- i think i need to seek a new one! do you have any advice for me? i’m so scared to give him any of the top allergens now! thank you in advance!
Hello,
If my baby has not reacted to eggs, how often would you recommend I give them to him? I know they’re a nutritional powerhouse but I don’t want to go overboard on allergens.
Also, in the camp of introducing before age 1, is gluten included? I am confused about whether it’s the safe for gluten foods or if they contribute to leaky gut and therefor creating allergens. Thank you so much!
Hey Emily!
As much as it feels natural for you and your family. You do want to rotate through a variety of foods, so a couple times a week is a good place to start. Or at least once a week.
Gluten is not an allergen. But it can be a problem for a lot of folks and this is related to gut health. While we know that gluten is hard to digest, there are microbes in the mouth and gut that do break it down. It’s pretty incredible the amount of work that microbes do for us, we literally would not be able to survive without them. The issue pops up because most of us don’t have a healthy mix of microbes. Prescription medication, chemicals in the environment, diet – all this affects your microbes – and your ability to break down gluten – and they’re passed down to baby.
From what I have seen and read, gluten is not bad for everyone across the board.
SO, that with all that in mind, wheat IS an allergen and technically – YES, it’s a good idea to intro before 12 months.
A lot of mamas I speak with are on a paleo-ish diet and wheat is out of the picture. Sometimes their partners still eat bread, pizza, etc outside the house. If a close family member safely consumes wheat and gluten, I would let baby join in. And when you do, observe for a response in stool, skin, or mood. That exposure is educational, so you don’t need a lot.
If you and your fam NEVER eat wheat or gluten, you may not want to go out of your way to bring it in the house (but still give baby other allergens, including environmental like exposing your baby to pets). There’s also a chance that your little one may be sensitive to gluten, since genetics have more bearing than breastfeeding or timing of solids.
Hope this helps, feel free to email if you need to xxo!!
Megan,
I am fascinated by your info on allergens and introducing them. I am the mama of an 8 year old with severe dairy and peanut allergies. I now have a baby who is 14 months and I have not introduced him, besides through my breast milk, to peanuts as I am terrified and have been told to hold off by doctors.
However after reading your comments am feeling bolstered to try introducing to help baby J in the long run.
Thank you for your work and sharing your advice!
YAY! I’m so happy you found this blog post helpful, xxo!!
I’m curious about the prebiotic you’re recommending and how to use it.
My baby is almost 5 months. We have been dealing with a dairy intolerance (I cut eggs too just in case). However it’s likely we’re also battling wheat or soy as well. We’re still trying to figure her tummy out, and inching closer to starting solids. Her father has a few random food allergies (hazelnuts, mangos, melon) and I want to make sure I’m introducing and doing everything possible to keep her from developing dietary allergies.
We have recently started a probiotic for her- I’m mixing 6 drops in a bit of expressed milk and syringing into her cheek.
Would I do the same with some of the prebiotic? Dosage recommendations?
Also- any recipe recommendations for introducing difficult flavors like fish and shrimp ?
Thanks for your help!
I just followed your protocol for peanut butter with my little one today and everything went well! I’m wondering if there is anything I should have on hand in the case of an emergency, like a severe allergic reaction. Thanks for sharing your wisdom! I’m finding it so helpful with navigating the first months of solids!
Hey Melissa,
Glad it went well! With a severe allergic response – like anaphylaxis – the best thing to do is call 911. They’ll be able to provide epinephrine, which can be life-saving.
If there’s a more mild response (most common), you can give natural anti-histamines like nettle, camu camu powder, and spirulina. Since these supplements mostly manage things like itchiness or hives, these *are not* something you would use in a severe reaction that affects the respiratory system or blood pressure (in that case, you need epinephrine).
Thanks for the great question, xxo!!
I introduced egg yolk to my baby girl at 6 months, she had it a few times and never had a reaction. Then one day, after about 2 hours that she had the egg she started vomiting and we ended up in the ER. I thought it may have just be a one time incident, or maybe I didn’t cook it right (I gave a soft boil runny egg yolk as per WAPF). So I tried to reintroduce at 10 months and the same thing happened. I eat eggs all the time, still breastfeeding. None of us have allergies. They said to wait on egg and egg products until we get her tested for allergies but I know those aren’t entirely accurate at her age.Do you have any recommendations?
Hey Roxy,
Right. If you get her tested she may show positive for allergies that she will later outgrow. The good news is that because you eat eggs and you’re breastfeeding, she’s still getting a little bit of exposure.
Throwing up is very common with egg and it’s also very scary! If it were me, I would try again after a few weeks with a very small amount, like 1/8 teaspoon. Sometimes stress or illness can increase the risk of a response. If there’s still vomiting, make sure she’s well hydrated. (breast milk is very hydrating)
Keep in touch and let me know how things go xxo!!
Megan, I’m so happy I found your article. My 7 mo has a moderate igE to egg (tested after she vomited after egg introduction) and terrible eczema. She’s breastfed and we follow a vegetarian / blw at home. In the process I’ve found she’s broken out after eggplant, avocado and other high histamine foods. I’m going to try your recommended regimen but want to check how ok spirulina and camu camu are for her at this age and how it can help the itchiness – do you notice progress slowly or is it pretty dramatic / fast? Poor babe is so miserable 😭
Hey Lavanya,
It depends on other factors – I would need to know what else she’s eating. Feel free to email me hello@megangarcia.com
xxo!!
What dosage of the Klaire Labs Galactomune to you use for a six month old baby? I’m guessing the serving size of one capsule is for an adult.
Hey Amy,
I usually start with 1/2 a capsule. xxo!!
Hi Megan! I have successfully introduced most allergens to my baby with no issue… up until last week. He is breastfed and used to get green mucousy stools when I would eat dairy, so I cut it out of my diet for a while. I’ve slowly added some dairy back to my diet (butter/heavy cream/parmigiano reggiano) and he’s been fine with those three through my breastmilk. Last week I gave him a few tiny spoonfuls of sheep’s milk yogurt, and within a few hours had green mucousy stool again. No hives or skin issues or other typical allergic reaction signs though. Do you think this sounds like a true allergy? Any tips or advice would be appreciated… I think the benefits of (high quality) dairy are so important, so I really don’t want us to be dairy-free forever!
Hey Sarah,
It does sound like a possible allergy BUT it also sounds like it will resolve on its own. I would keep a range of dairy in YOUR diet, it’s giving him exposure to those proteins. And try giving him dairy again in a few weeks, this time less than a teaspoon. And go from there. Hope this helps xxo!!