Has your little one ever had a reaction to something they ate? Or are you starting solids and want to learn how to properly introduce allergenic foods? Determining your child’s reaction to certain foods can be difficult.
The terms “food allergy” and “food sensitivity” are often used interchangeably. This is because they both have some overlapping symptoms, which can make them easy to confuse. However, each requires very different management – meaning that the steps you take for an allergy are very different from the steps you take for a sensitivity, both on an immediate and long-term level.
Food allergy identification: immediately – 2 hours
The reaction associated with a food allergy will happen quickly — often within minutes, but it can be anytime within 2 hours after eating the trigger food. If your child develops symptoms after this 2-hour window, then it’s probably not a true food allergy.
Pros vs Cons of an Allergy
Pro: Fast reaction time can make it easier to identify allergies.
Cons: Severe anaphylactic allergic reactions can be life-threatening. Also, some allergies persist for life, which can have a serious and lasting impact on your child’s life.
Food sensitivity determination: 2+ hours – 3 days
The reaction associated with food sensitivity is more delayed, with symptoms appearing anywhere between a few hours to 3 days.
Advantages vs. a sensitivity
Pros: Food sensitivities are a clear sign that the gut isn’t working properly, which can be a blessing in disguise because sensitivities usually go away when the digestive and immune systems are properly supported.
Disadvantages: The delay in symptoms makes it more difficult to identify food sensitivities.
Presentation of allergenic foods
Introducing allergenic foods is an important part of starting solids and it’s important to know how to proceed.
Previous guidelines suggested delaying the introduction of high-risk foods until the baby’s first birthday. However, current research shows that early exposure is KEY. In fact, introducing allergenic foods between 6-12 months actually reduces your baby’s potential risk.
While any food has the potential to cause an allergic reaction, there are 8 high-risk allergenic foods that account for 90% of all reactions in children. It’s not make-or-break, but I personally prefer to present them in this order:
egg yolk > nuts > peanuts > fish > shellfish > soy > egg whites > dairy > wheat.
(You may notice it’s 9, not 8, because I recommend adding the yolk and egg white separately, as the whites are more likely to cause a reaction.)
How to introduce the top allergenic foods to babies:
Introduce each allergenic food one at a time (not peanut butter on wheat bread), at the beginning of your baby’s longest waking period to monitor reactions (so not right before nap time).
Don’t offer too much too soon. Start with a small taste to start, wait 10 minutes for an immediate reaction, then offer more (no more than 2 tablespoons).
Please allow 4 full days to monitor for delayed reaction.
Repeat these steps with the same food, for a total of 3 intakes.
Move on to the next allergenic food.
Low risk foods
Other low-risk foods can be introduced at a faster rate or in combination with other foods. I also recommend that your baby’s VERY first introduction to solid food be with a low-risk food, not one of the top 8 allergenic foods. While early exposure to allergens is important, you want your baby’s very first bite to be as stress-free and enjoyable as possible.
What to watch out for?
Again, remember that the course of action you need to take depends on when the reaction occurs:
What to do if your baby has an allergic reaction?
Children are considered to be at particularly high risk of developing food allergies if they have: a family history of food allergies, moderate to severe eczema and/or asthma.
Don’t assume your baby is ‘in the clear’ when they’ve been introduced to a certain food without reacting to it. It often takes a few feedings for symptoms to become detectable, as reactions can worsen with each subsequent feeding.
What to do if your baby has an allergic reaction:
Stop the meal, separate them from the food.
Wipe their hands and face.
Stay with them and watch for swelling +/or lethargy.
Depending on the severity, give a baby-friendly antihistamine such as liquid Benadryl.
If symptoms are mild/moderate: contact your healthcare provider.
If symptoms are severe: call 911 (or your local emergency physician).⠀
Will your baby have allergies forever?
Children can outgrow their allergies as their bodies and immune systems mature.
Allergies to peanuts, tree nuts, fish and shellfish generally persist for life. Only 10 – 20% of children who have these allergies will outgrow them.
Many outgrow allergies to milk, egg, wheat, or soy by their first birthday, but they can also persist until age 5-9. However, even these allergies tend to subside less often than in previous decades.
What to do if your baby has a food sensitivity or eczema?
Food sensitivities and eczema are caused by the same thing…something known as “leaky gut”.
The gut acts as a barrier, keeping undigested food particles inside the digestive tract, but those with leaky gut have tiny gaps between the cells of their intestinal lining. This allows food particles from inside the intestines to “leak” through the gut lining into the bloodstream, which can cause a variety of symptoms, usually including eczema.
Topical creams may help reduce the external symptoms of eczema, but they’re only a band-aid solution to cover up the symptoms — meaning they don’t get to the “root cause.” Nothing will help more than holistic healing from the inside out. Supporting your baby’s gut is the key ingredient to resolving food sensitivities and eczema, because the healthier your baby’s gut is, the better their digestion and immune system will function.
The food sensitivities and eczema protocol
This is a very condensed version of the OBN Bowel Support Protocol. It has helped so many little ones, including mine!
1. Identify trigger foods through an elimination diet
Eliminate potential trigger foods 3-4+ weeks.
2. Build the microbiome
Probiotics: Special strains that do not contribute to histamine. I like Smidge’s Infant Probiotic (previously called GutPro Infant Probiotic by Corganics).
Prebiotics: Food for beneficial bacteria. I like ProBiota Immune by Seeking Health.
Fermented foods: If there is no histamine intolerance.
3. Strengthen the gut
Glutamine: Essential amino acid for preventing inflammation in the gut and repairing leaky gut. Foods rich in glutamine, such as bone broth, animal protein (especially organ meats), and sauerkraut (if not histamine intolerance).
Collagen powder: The main structural protein that makes up the connective tissue in the intestinal tract, helping to restore its protective lining.
4. Support the immune system
Reduce exposure to toxins wherever possible (household products).
Cod liver oil: Reduces inflammation in the body while supporting gut and immune health.
Anti-inflammatory and nutrient-dense foods: Helps balance the immune system and can calm eczema/gut inflammation.
Adequate sleep & sunshine: Strengthens the immune system.
5. External cream for eczema
It doesn’t treat the “root cause” but it can provide relief. I have seen the best results with pharmaceutical grade lanolin.
After the shower:
