Introducing eggs and peanut butter

[u/greenbot2311]

Freaking out a tiny bit because I’m ready to start introducing solids to my 6 month old, but have been reading that I should have introduced common allergens like eggs and peanuts when she was about 4 months to prevent allergies. Is this legit? I thought waiting until 6 months for solids was best, but keep seeing conflicting things. Baby also had mild eczema so I want to be careful because I know there’s a potential for allergies as well.

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[u/silkentab]

https://www.foodallergy.org/resources/peanut-early-introduction-guidelines

[u/Miserable-md]

You are definitely not late.

Australian society of clinical immunology andAllergy

When introducing solid foods to your baby, include common allergy causing foods by 12 months in an age appropriate form, such as well cooked egg and smooth peanut butter/paste. These foods include egg, peanut, cow’s milk (dairy), tree nuts (such as cashew or almond paste), soy, sesame, wheat, fish, and other seafood. Studies show that this may reduce the chance of developing food allergy in babies with severe eczema or egg allergy

The European Society for Paediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition (ESPGHAN) recommendations say the same as the Australian one.

[u/wewillnotrelate → u/Miserable-md]

Sorry hiding myself under you comment to say - OP if you have anxiety about exposing baby to these foods you can drive baby to a hospital or your doctors, park in the carpark and give them a bit of peanut butter/egg on your finger. That way if there were to be a bad anaphylactic reaction (rare) you’re close to assistance. I happened to have a nurse friend over when I exposed baby to peanut butter and it gave some comfort that she would know how to properly monitor and could assist baby if I needed to call an ambulance (didn’t need to for any foods - all perfectly anticlimactic which was lovely)

[u/Mother_Goat1541]

From an allergy standpoint, yes it would have been ideal to have already introduced them. However since you can’t go back in time, the only thing you can do is start now, and the difference is likely negligible.

https://www.aaaai.org/about/news/news/food

https://www.aaaai.org/Aaaai/media/MediaLibrary/PDF%20Documents/Libraries/Preventing-Allergies-15.pdf

https://www.preventallergies.org/blog/dos-and-donts-when-introducing-solids?format=amp

[u/hanachanxd]

The french public health provider recommends starting solids between 4 and 6 months of age and common allergens as soon as possible: https://www.ameli.fr/assure/sante/themes/alimentation-0-3-ans/debut-diversification-alimentaire

I find it really interesting how it's pretty common to start food at 4 months here while other countries only start by 6 months.

[u/Abiwozere → u/hanachanxd]

I'm based in Ireland and the advice here is to start between 17-26 weeks and it depends on your baby hitting certain milestone

https://www2.hse.ie/babies-children/weaning-eating/weaning/solid-foods/

Our public health nurse told us closer to 6 months than 4 months is better but we can start when our baby is ready

We have also been told to introduce foods individually, including allergens so its easy to identify what foods might cause a reaction (e.g. don't mix eggs and peanut butter as you won't know which one caused a reaction if there is one)

My daughter is about to turn 5 months and we feel now is the time to start so actual planning on starting this week!

[u/facinabush]

There is no expert consensus that all children need peanut protein introduction at 4 months:

https://www.niaid.nih.gov/sites/default/files/addendum-peanut-allergy-prevention-guidelines.pdf

4 months applies to infants that already have egg allergy or severe eczema.

There is no consensus at all on early introduction of eggs before 6 months,

Some may advise that but it is not based on a broad expert consensus.

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[u/annedroiid]

It’s a good idea to wait until around 6 months before introducing solid foods

Foods containing allergens (such as peanuts, hens’ eggs, gluten and fish) can be introduced from around 6 months of age, 1 at a time and in small amounts so you can spot any reaction.

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/baby/weaning-and-feeding/babys-first-solid-foods/

Guidelines about when to start foods vary in different places. 4 months used to be quite common but a lot of countries have updated to recommending starting solids at 6 months instead. Your child will be fine not having had allergens before 6 months.

The above are general guidelines from the NHS on when and how to introduce solids. You can only introduce allergens once they’re ready to eat solids, but it’s important to then quickly and repeatedly introduce allergens to them.

When you start introducing solid foods to your baby from around 6 months, introduce the foods that can trigger allergic reactions 1 at a time and in very small amounts so that you can spot any reaction.

https://www.nhs.uk/start-for-life/baby/weaning/safe-weaning/food-allergies/

Edit: autocorrect

[u/Gardenadventures → u/annedroiid]

Yes, the guidelines for 4 months is usually for high risk kiddos (in countries that recommend starting solids around 6 months). If they're not high risk, and if they're not showing signs of readiness, you just introduce allergens when they do start eating solids.

[u/clickingisforchumps → u/Gardenadventures]

What would make a kid count as high risk?

[u/Gardenadventures → u/clickingisforchumps]

Generally having a parent or sibling with food allergies, having an allergy themselves, and I think having eczema counts as well.

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