Introducing Foods Including Peanut, Eggs, and Dairy

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Parents are often tempted to introduce solid foods as quickly as possible in hopes that fuller tummies will help babies sleep better at night. But solid foods are not recommended before 4 to 6 months of age for the following reasons:

• Breast milk or formula provides all the nutrients a baby needs to grow.
• Babies are not physically developed enough to eat solid food from a spoon before 4 months.
• Starting solid food too early may lead to overfeeding and excessive weight gain.

When starting solid foods, introduce one new food a day before adding another new food so you can tell what foods your baby may be allergic to or cannot tolerate.

Begin with small amounts of new solid foods, a teaspoon at first, and slowly increase to a tablespoon. Begin with a single-grain cereal mixed as directed, followed by vegetables, fruits and then meats. Infant cereals with iron should be given until your infant is 18 months old. Don’t add sugar or salt to your baby’s food. Avoid honey in any form for your child’s first year, as it can cause food poisoning. 

Your baby’s appetite can determine how much he or she eats. As soon as he can sit safely in a high chair, let him begin to feed himself. And be sure to avoid foods that he can choke on, such as hot dogs, nuts and seeds, chunks of meat or cheese, whole grapes, popcorn, peanut butter, raw vegetables, or raisins.

Food Allergies

Did you know that 90–95% of infants will never develop a food allergy? That’s great news. And even better, research shows there are steps you can take to help reduce your baby’s risk even further. Current national guidelines from experts, including the USDA and the American Academy of Pediatrics, recommend introducing “allergenic foods” – peanut, egg, and dairy – between 4 to 6 months of age.

Scientific studies have shown that early and consistent exposure to peanut (protein), egg, and dairy helps the immune system in the gut become accustomed to them, and this reduces the likelihood of developing allergies to those foods. This new approach is safe for all infants, even those with atopic dermatitis (eczema) or siblings with food allergies. No screening tests are needed before feeding. Formal allergy testing before introducing these foods may cause a delay in introduction, and allergy testing can result in numerous false-positive results. The benefits of preventing food allergies far outweigh the very low risk of a severe allergic reaction. Once your baby tolerates eggs, peanuts, and dairy, keeping these foods in their regular diet, ideally 2–3 times per week, helps maintain tolerance to these foods. All foods, when developmentally appropriate, can be safely introduced into a baby’s diet by 12 months. If you have concerns or questions, you should speak to your pediatrician.

 How to introduce egg, peanut, and dairy safely:

• Start small: Mix a tiny amount of peanut butter (thinned with water, breast milk, or formula), peanut powder, or peanut flour into baby cereal or puréed fruit. Do not rub the food on your child’s skin before letting them eat it.

• Egg: Offer well-cooked egg (e.g., scrambled or hard-boiled) in small portions.

• Dairy: Use yogurt or cheese. Avoid whole cow’s milk until after 12 months.

• One at a time: Introduce allergenic foods individually for the first time, allowing you time to monitor your baby for reactions.

• Observe your infant:  Food allergy reactions occur within 1–2 hours of ingestion and typically cause welts (hives), swelling, or vomiting. If this does not happen, that is reassuring and continue this food in their diet. Gastroesophageal reflux, constipation, loose stools, or eczema are not signs of an allergic reaction.

• Remember: The benefits of preventing food allergies outweigh the risk of a severe allergic reaction.