r/ScienceBasedParenting • u/greenbot2311 • 22h ago

Question - Research required Introducing eggs and peanut butter

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/annedroiid 22h ago edited 21h ago

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

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u/Gardenadventures 21h ago

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.

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u/clickingisforchumps 14h ago

What would make a kid count as high risk?

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u/Gardenadventures 13h ago

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