Preventing Allergies In Babies

Key points about preventing allergies in babies

• research shows that giving your baby the common allergy causing foods before they turn one can help reduce the risk of them developing an allergy to that food
• delaying the introduction of the common allergy causing foods does not prevent food allergy
• if you think your baby has a food allergy, seek advice from your family doctor
• if you think a food is causing eczema, colic or reflux, please see a doctor before removing the food

Introducing food allergens before babies turn one

Helping reduce the risk of a food allergy

Research shows that giving your baby the common allergy causing foods before they turn one can help reduce the risk of them developing an allergy to that food.

When your baby is ready at around 6 months, but not before 4 months, start to introduce first foods including smooth peanut butter and well-cooked egg. Delaying the introduction of the common allergy causing foods does not prevent food allergy.

Babies have a natural ability to tolerate new foods. This disappears as they get older. Delaying the introduction of foods could lead to an increased chance of food allergy.

If breastfeeding, continue while you introduce solid foods

Breastfeeding is recommended for the many benefits it provides to both mothers and babies. If breastfeeding, it is important to continue while you introduce solid foods to your baby.

Keep eating all foods if you are a breastfeeding mother

It is important to keep eating all foods if you are a breastfeeding mother. See an allergy trained doctor or dietitian before removing a food from your diet. Most allergic reactions do not occur through the breastmilk.

You can introduce common allergy causing foods to all babies before one

This advice is for all babies, whether you have a family history of food allergy or not. Your baby does not need testing before eating a food. Testing does not show whether they will have a reaction when they eat the food. 

Babies with eczema have a higher chance of developing a food allergy to a food they don't eat. 

If you think your baby has a food allergy, ask your family doctor for advice. It is important that a doctor confirms any food allergies, once there are suspicious symptoms. Check food allergy symptoms on KidsHealth.

Check whether your baby is more at risk of developing a food allergy at 'Nip allergies in the bub' (an Australian website).