The Federal Drug Administration estimates that 2-8% of infants are impacted by food allergies in some way. Infants with a strong family history of food allergies may be more at risk for developing a food allergy themselves. 90% of food allergies are caused by milk, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts, fish, shellfish, soy, and wheat.
Milk Allergies in Infants
Cow’s milk protein is a common allergy for babies, which is one reason why parents are advised to avoid giving infant’s cow’s milk before 12 months of age. While milk is a high allergen food, it is important that new moms realize that breast milk does not contain the same type of protein as cow’s milk. Breastfeeding helps to reduce the risk of food allergies in infants; it does not cause allergies in infants. It is possible, however, for infants to react to cow’s milk protein that is in the mother’s diet and passed through the breast milk. Infants who have a true milk allergy can continue to be breastfed if the mother eliminates all cow’s milk products from her own diet.
Egg Allergies in Infants
Eggs are listed as one of the top 8 highest allergen foods, but it is not the egg itself that babies can be allergic to, but the egg whites. It is very rare for anyone to be allergic to egg yolks. Egg yolks can be introduced to babies who do not have a history of other food allergies after 9 months of age. Most pediatricians recommend parents wait until infants are at least 12 months old before introducing egg whites into their diet.
Peanut Allergies in Infants
Peanut allergies are among the most dangerous for infants because they can cause such severe reactions including anaphylaxis and are often considered a lifetime allergy. Infants who have shown symptoms of any food allergy or sensitivity, or who have a family history of food allergies, should not be given peanuts or peanut products until 24 months of age. Non-allergic infants can be slowly introduced to peanut products after 12 months of age. Peanuts can be found in a variety of food products including, granola bars, cookies, some pasta dishes, and candies.
Tree Nut Allergies in Infants
Tree nuts can pose a choking hazard if given to infants in their whole form. Most parents avoid giving whole tree nuts to infants until at least after their second birthday, but tree nuts can be found in a wide variety of products and can cause severe allergic reactions in some infants. Some crackers, cookies, bread products, and other baked goods can contain tree nuts and should be avoided until an infant is at least 12-24 months old.
Fish Allergies in Infants
Fish can be a wonderful lean protein for infants and contains many valuable nutrients and amino acids, but it can cause reactions in some infants. White fish such as cod, flounder, and haddock are easier for infants to digest and pose the lowest risk of an allergic reaction. Fish can be introduced into an infant’s diet anywhere from 9-12 months of age.
Shellfish Allergies in Infants
Shellfish allergies can be severe in infants and can sometimes be triggered without even ingesting the shellfish. Some individuals have been known to have an allergic reaction after eating at a restaurant that serves fish due to the risk of cross contamination during the cooking process or being in close proximity to shellfish. Infants who have had a reaction to any other type of fish should avoid eating shellfish. Allergy tests can be conducted to determine specific types of fish that infants are allergic to, but are often not performed until after the second birthday.
Soy Allergies in Infants
While soy is listed as a high allergen food, it is often given to infants without negative side effects. Soy-based infant formula is often given as an alternative to cow-based formula for infants who have an allergy to proteins found in cow’s milk. Infants with an allergy to soy should avoid, tofu, soybeans, soy milk, tempeh, and other soy based products.
Wheat Allergies in Infants
Wheat is a common allergy in infants and children. Because of the high risk of an allergic reaction or digestive problems, most pediatricians recommend infants are introduced to rice, barely, and oat cereals before eating wheat products.
Food allergies can generally not be prevented in infants, but severe reactions to foods can be delayed by introducing high allergy foods when an infant is older. Parents should notify their pediatrician immediately if their infant shows any signs of food allergies. They should be careful to introduce only one new food at a time to prevent strong reactions and determine if infants have an allergy to a specific food group.
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