A Food allergy is an abnormal response of body towards certain food items. While starting first solid foods for babies it is important to look out for allergies especially if there is a family history of allergies or asthma. The most common food allergens are:
Milk
Eggs
Fish
Shellfish
Tree nuts
Wheat
Peanuts
Soybeans
These ingredients are mentioned in any packaged food label so that parents can safely choose food for their babies. The most common items that affect children under 4 most often are milk, eggs, soyabean, and tree fish. Peanut, wheat and tre nuts allergy is very rare in Indian babies but still parents should keep a watch while introducing these foods. Many infants are allergic to milk but they grow out of it by the age of 1 year. Also many children who are allergic to eggs grow out of it by 5 years.
Preventing Food Allergies:
Exclusively breastfeeding your baby till the age of 6 months
After 6 months introduce solids one by one and carefully observing the child’s reactions. Feed same food item for 2-3 days so that if there is reaction , then it can be attributed to that food item.
Avoid common allergens like cow’s milk, wheat, eggs, peanuts, and fish during your child’s first year of life.
Symptoms of Food allergy
Allergy symptoms can occur anywhere between a few minutes of eating to a few hours. Call your doctor for mild symptoms but if baby is suffering from severe attack then call emergency.
Vomiting
Diarrhea
Cramps
Hives
Swelling
Eczema
Itching or swelling of the lips, tongue, or mouth
Itching or tightness in the throat
Difficulty breathing