What are the common food allergies in babies?

It’s unlikely you’ll discover your baby has a food allergy until beginning solid foods. Ninety percent of all food allergies are a result of the following foods; eggs, milk, peanuts, tree nuts, wheat, soy, fish, and shellfish. Occasionally a breastfed baby will exhibit a reaction even to foods the mother ate before nursing. Milk allergies are the most common to show in this manner.

Are lactose intolerance and a cow’s milk allergy the same thing?

No.

Lactose intolerance is when the baby lacks the ability to produce an enzyme called lactase. This enzyme is essential in the proper break down of lactose. A baby with lactose intolerance cannot have any food containing lactose which includes basically all dairy. Lactose intolerance is actually not an allergy at all, it’s a digestive disorder.

A cow’s milk allergy is an allergy to a protein present in cow’s milk. A baby with a cow’s milk allergy can eat other dairy products usually as the allergy is to the protein in the milk and not to lactose.

The two do have similar symptoms.

How will I know if my baby has a peanut allergy?

You should not give a baby peanuts. Peanut allergies are very common and often pose some of the more severe allergic reactions; because of this most pediatricians recommend not introducing peanuts or foods containing peanuts until at least one year of age. Peanuts are also commonly a choking hazard. Leave peanuts for the toddler stage.

How should I introduce solid foods in regards to allergies?

Solid foods should be introduced one at a time and spaced at least a week between new foods. This way if you baby has a reaction you will know just what caused it. Once a food has been ruled safe you can mix foods, but the initial introduction should be done solo. Watch for adverse reactions such as hives, rashes, diarrhea, vomiting and/or swelling. Be careful as sometimes a baby will exhibit little to no reaction to a food but become sensitized with the first introduction. The second time the baby encounters the same food however he/she will have a severe reaction. This is common in peanut and nut allergies.

If you suspect a food allergy you should stop feeding the baby that food and consult your pediatrician. He/she may recommend you to an allergist to confirm the allergy or may simply recommend you avoid the food until the child is older.