Is Your Infant Safe From Food Allergies?

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    Mothers feel very excited while introducing solids to their babies for the first time. Besides excitement they are surrounded by many suggestions about how to feed and what to feed which throw most of the moms in dilemma.

    When the baby is ready to have solids, mothers concentrate more on meeting up the nutritional requirements which aid baby’s healthy growth. But it is equally important to recognize the possible food allergies that may result in babies and what foods are most likely to cause allergies.

    Food allergy is referred to an abnormal reaction by body’s immune system triggered by consumption of a specific food. Even a small amount of allergy causing food can result in food allergy which shows the symptoms right after eating or within couple of hours.

    Signs of food allergies:

    The signs and symptoms of food allergies may vary from person to person. They can be mild or severe and can involve one part of the body and more than one part of the body in some cases. Some of the most common signs of food allergies include:
    • → Hives
    • → Skin rash
    • → Vomiting or diarrhea
    • → Abdominal pain
    • → Redness and swelling of the face
    • → Itching and swelling of lips, tongue or mouth.
    • → Difficulty in breathing
    • → Sneezing
    • → Runny or stuffy nose.
    • → Fainting

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    How to avoid food allergies in babies:

    Most of the kids could be allergic to any food, but the common allergens may include milk, eggs, peanuts, fish, wheat and nuts such as walnuts, cashews. A baby can be protected from food allergy just by eliminating a particular food from his diet which causes allergy. But many can get a doubt that how can a food allergy can be avoided if the baby has just started his solid foods? Then here is an answer which clears all your doubts. Follow these thumb rules, to keep food allergies at a bay from your child.
    • → When a baby has started to have solids, feed him with a small quantity which should be not more than two teaspoons.
    • → Introduce a new food at least four days apart. This gives you enough time to observe the allergic reactions if any and it could be difficult to find which food is the reason for the allergy if different foods are introduced at a time.
    • → Introduce fruits, veggies and homemade foods rather than packaged foods. This will help kids to likely develop less food allergies.
    Once a child has an allergic reaction, it can happen again and it might be more severe than the first time. So, it is better to consult a doctor who provides you an action plan for managing the allergic reaction when it might happen for the next time.