Finding Out What Your Baby is Allergic To

Tip 1 - Notice any difficulty in breathing after eating a specific food

When you give new food to your baby you should keep an eye out for symptoms like difficulty in breathing, which is one of the most common symptoms of allergic reactions.

Tip 2 - First you should look out for any allergies already in the family

When parents have any particular allergies to food it is likely that kids have them too. So first you might want to test for foods that cause allergies in the family.

Tip 3 - Watch out for any odd symptoms after giving a new food

If you are giving new foods to your baby just watch out for any odd symptoms. Food allergies usually show up within minutes.

Tip 4 - Look out for these symptoms when giving new food

The following are the most common symptoms of food allergy:

• Skin rash or flushed skin
• Blood and/or mucus in the stool
• Swelling of the face, tongue, or lips
• Excessive spit-up, vomiting, or diarrhea
• Difficulty breathing
• Loss of consciousness

If any of the above occur shortly after you give your baby new food, you should immediately contact your doctor.

Tip 5 - American Academy of Pediatrics Recommends Introducing Foods Early

According to the AAP, if there is no history of food allergies in the family you can introduce new foods, like dairy and peanuts early after consultation with your doctor. Starting early can actually make your child less likely to contract allergies later on.

Tip 6 - Try these foods first

These foods are known to cause most cases of food allergy. Try them first.

• Milk
• Egg
• Peanuts
• Nuts
• Fish
• Shellfish
• Soy
• Wheat