Parents may want to hold off on giving babies these common baby food allergens. If baby has allergy symptoms, check their diet for these foods.
The Most Common Baby Food Allergies
Formula and Proteins
For infants, common baby food allergens and foods that cause sensitivities include cow’s milk protein and soy. Both of these foods can be found in baby formula. Hypoallergenic formula or breast milk may be better options for the baby with a sensitivity to cow’s milk proteins.
Foods Babies Eat
Some foods that babies eat are soft and palatable, but they are also commonly known allergens. If you have allergies in your family, particularly food allergies, be cautious when feeding these known food allergens to baby. Keep track of any reactions that occur. Also, introduce only one of these foods a time to a baby, to enable you to better identify problematic food allergens in your baby’s diet.
Egg whites are a common allergen. The egg yolk is not as common of an allergen as the egg white. If you want to give a baby hard boiled egg yolks as a form of protein, eat the whites yourself.
Citrus fruits
Citrus fruits are another common allergen for babies. Some babies won’t like the acidic taste anyway. Also, babies who suffer from reflux or other digestive conditions should stay away from citrus and acidic foods.
Tomatoes
One acidic food that is also a common allergen is the tomato. A raw tomato, tomato sauce, salsa and tomatoes found in ketchup can all create issues for babies with allergies.
Strawberries
Strawberries are also a known allergen. There are a number of baby foods and cereals that use strawberries. Always read labels first.
Wheat
Wheat is a common allergen for babies and adults. Wheat can be tough to avoid as it is present in everything from cereal to bread and crackers.
Foods Babies Should Not Eat
Even babies who are self-feeding, have teeth and can chew should not be given these known allergens in the first year of life.
Peanuts and Tree Nuts
Skip the nuts including peanuts and peanut butter in the first year of life. Some nutritionists also recommend skipping tree nuts for the first seven years of life for children whose families have known food allergies.
Shellfish
Shellfish is another common allergen that can cause severe allergic reaction. There is no nutritional reason for a baby to consume shellfish, and it’s better to leave it off baby’s plate.
What Can Baby Eat?
For babies with known food allergies, it can be hard to know which foods will not cause a problem.
Least common food allergens include vegetables: carrots and squash. Fruits which are the least common allergens are apples, apricots, peaches, plums and pears.
Other foods which are the least common food allergens that can be easily worked into a baby’s diet are barley, oats and rice.
Sources
Personal Experience
Earth’s Best, http://www.earthsbest.com/baby_nutrition/articles/foodallergies.php
