Allergy Information
There are a small number of babies, often with a strong family history of allergy, who may develop an allergy to particular foods, or food components.
Here are a few simple ways to reduce this risk:
- Soley breast-feed until your baby is ready for solids at around six months.
- Continue to breast feed while introducing solids.
- Be cautious about the rate
at which you introduce new foods. Try a new food every few days.
- Foods most likely to cause allergies can still be offered as this is unlikely to change the risk of baby developing an allergy to these foods. High risk foods are those which contain egg, dairy foods, soy, nuts, fish, shellfish and wheat (bread, pasta, wheat cereals).
- If there is a strong family history of allergy to peanuts, you may wish to discuss this with your family doctor or Plunket nurse before offering peanuts or other tree nuts.
- If you do suspect your baby has a food allergy it is important you talk to your health professional or a dietitan before making changes to his or her diet.
