Safely Introducing a Wide Variety of Foods to Your Baby

As recently as the early 2000s, the widely accepted advice was that babies at risk for food allergies should avoid many allergy-causing foods until age one or even older. With the benefit of new science, this guidance has changed. According to the latest Dietary Guidelines for Americans, there is no evidence that delaying introduction of allergenic foods, beyond when other complementary foods are introduced, helps to prevent food allergy. 

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), you can start introducing nutrient-dense single-ingredient foods like fruits (apples, pears and bananas), vegetables (green vegetables, sweet potatoes, squash and carrots) and cereal grains (rice or oat cereal) between four to six months, when your infant is developmentally ready. Parents should also be aware of texture and consistency, introducing all new foods in a form that your baby can safely handle without choking. Once these first foods have been successfully added into your baby’s diet, you can then move onto foods that commonly can trigger allergies (defined as allergens).

Research now shows that introducing peanuts to your infant early can help reduce the risk of peanut allergy for your baby. However, before you get started, it’s important to note that some babies may be more likely to have a food allergy. For instance, if your family has a history of food allergy, you already suspect your baby has a food allergy, or your baby has severe eczema or an egg allergy, wait to give peanut-containing foods until your doctor says it is okay. If your baby does have a food allergy or eczema, your doctor may want to refer you to an allergist and/or run some tests before introducing certain foods. For babies that are considered at high risk, it is important to discuss with your pediatrician and allergist early (before they are four months old) as some babies may benefit more from early introduction, potentially preventing food allergy. 

Every child is different, but most babies are ready for solids between four and six months. And, as with anything related to your baby’s health, it is best to consult with your child’s pediatrician. Your baby’s four- or six-month well-child visit is a great time to have a conversation with your pediatrician about introducing solid foods.

Some good indicators that your baby may be ready for solid foods include:  

• Being able to control head and neck
• Sitting up alone or with support
• Bringing objects to the mouth
• Trying to grasp small objects, such as toys or food
• Swallowing food rather than pushing it back out onto the chin

• Potentially allergenic foods (e.g., peanuts, egg, cow milk products, tree nuts, wheat, crustacean shellfish, fish, and soy) should be introduced when other complementary foods are introduced to an infant’s diet. 
• Introducing peanut-containing foods in the first year reduces the risk that an infant will develop a food allergy to peanuts. 
• Cow milk, as a beverage, should be introduced at age 12 months or later

There is no evidence that delaying introduction of allergenic foods, beyond when other complementary foods are introduced, helps to prevent food allergy

As evidence that early introduction of a wide variety of foods may reduce the risk of a child developing food allergies continues to grow, new consumer products are coming to market every day designed to simplify early introduction of foods that commonly cause allergies and provide families with options. 

Remember that your pediatrician is your best resource when it comes to making choices about how to introduce new foods to your baby, so talk to your doctor about what is best for you and your family.