SiGns oF AllerGic ReAcTion To FoOD

here are some of the signs that a baby could be having allergic reaction to a new food.

• sudden loose, diarrhea stools and/or vomiting
• sudden rashes on the skin and bottom
• runny nose
• hives
• irritability and/or gassiness
• breathing or other respiratory troubles
• swelling of the face, lips and/or tongue
• closure or tightening of the throat

should you have just introduced a new food to your baby and he/she is showing any of these signs, get help immediately! don’t wait!

ToP EigHt FoOd AllerGens

the following food allergens account for an estimated 90% of allergic reactions :

• cow’s milk
• egg whites 
• peanuts
• tree nuts (e.g. : almond, cashew, walnut)
• fish (e.g. : bass, cod, flounder)
• shellfish (e.g. crab, lobster, shrimp)
• soy
• wheat

rule of the thumb is that introduction of these foods should be done gradually and in stages, one at a time, and by watching for any sign of allergic reactions. by doing this, parents can easily pinpoint the culprit rather than to have a whole long list to scratch your head over.

it is also best to introduce new foods during the day as this will enable you to spot and deal with any adverse reactions when help is readily available. imagine the stress of trying to look for a pediatrician should an allergic reaction arise in the middle of the night!

SiGns ThaT YouR BaBy Is ReaDy fOR SoLiDs

curiosity about what you’re eating

• begin eyeing your plate of food
• reach for a spoonful of food as it travels from the plate to your mouth
• point to your food and ask for it while drooling away
• bottle-fed baby may stop midway and point to your food instead

growing appetite

• seems more hungry than before
• wake more frequently for feeding at night
• begin to eat non-stop (cluster feed) as he/she once did as a newborn

tongue reflex

• losing the extrusion reflex which is “designed” to prevent your baby from swallowing any foreign matter which he/she may be choked upon and in this case, solid food which his/her body is not ready to accept
• to keep solid food in his/her mouth and then swallow it, your baby needs to stop using his/her tongue to push food out of his mouth

physically

• able to sit upright when supported
• also able to keep his/her head in a steady position to swallow well

WheN To StaRT IntRoDucing SoLiDs

breast milk or formula serves as babies’ main source of nourishment for the first 6 months of their lives. after the initial 6 months, parents may start to introduce solids to complement feedings.

however, this 6 months’ mark serves only as a general guideline as different babies may vary in their readiness for solid food. look for signs in your baby for indication... yes, babies are more complicated than you think! but how can you tell?  fret not, your baby will tell you.