- Early introduction of allergenic foods, including nuts, can help reduce the risk of developing food allergies in infants.
- Babies can begin trying allergenic foods around 4 to 6 months of age, once they are developmentally ready to eat solid foods.
- Parents should avoid choking hazards and ensure foods are prepared in an age-appropriate form. Honey should also be avoided before age one because of the risk of infant botulism.
- Regular exposure to allergenic foods after introducing them can help infants maintain tolerance to those foods.
- Research suggests that delaying the introduction of allergenic foods may increase the risk of developing food allergies because the immune system has less opportunity to build tolerance early in life.
When Should You Introduce Allergenic Foods to Your Baby?
Introducing allergenic foods early, once babies are ready for solids, and keeping them in their diet regularly may help reduce the risk of developing food allergies.
Sarah Taylor-Black, MD
