Early Introduction of Allergens to Children

In the past, food allergies were considered rare. However, there has been a huge increase (50%) in the number of people who have food allergies between 1997 and 2011. In fact, 32 million Americans suffer from food allergies and 1 in every 13 children has a severe food allergy. Each year over 200,000 people (in the U.S) require emergency medical care for allergic reactions to food. 

These are very scary statistics. Parents with kids who have food allergies must modify their lives and the lives of their families to accommodate their children. They are also constantly worried about their child suffering from anaphylactic shock because of eating the wrong food. All of this makes them desperate to find a way to prevent food allergies in their other children. 

Research has emerged to help prevent children from developing food allergies. A study done by Dr. Gideon Lack and Dr. George Du Toit uncovered an interesting insight. They observed Israeli children and discovered that they had a significantly lower percentage of children who were allergic to peanuts. In Israel, children eat a snack called Bamba from a very early age (a peanut-butter flavored snack). Based on this, they concluded that the early introduction of allergens to babies can lower their chances of developing food allergies later in life. An early introduction to allergens is especially true for kids who are at high risk of developing allergies (if a sibling or parent has a food allergy). Some studies have shown that introducing a baby to allergens at an early age can reduce their chances of developing food allergies by up to 80%.

When should we introduce allergy food to a baby?

The best time to introduce allergens to a baby is when they start eating solid foods (around 6 months old, but not before 4 months). It is also recommended that you introduce your baby to allergy foods before they are 1 year old because studies have shown that at that age, the chances of them developing allergies increases. 

How to introduce allergy foods?

It is important to start with one allergen at a time. If your baby has an allergic reaction it will be easier to identify. 

• Start by mixing a small amount of allergy food with their regular food. For example, mix in a spoonful of peanut butter with mashed fruit. If your baby doesn’t have a reaction to the food, then slowly increase the number of allergens with their food. 
• Try to include that food in your baby’s diet in order for them to maintain their tolerance. 
• Try to introduce a new allergen every day while also feeding your baby the allergen that you already introduced (so, if your child has already eaten peanut butter and hasn’t had a reaction, then the next day give them a new allergen and peanut butter).
• Try to introduce your child to the top allergen: tree nuts, peanuts, sesame, fish & shellfish, eggs, dairy, and soy. 

Early introduction & Covid-19

Families with babies who have a higher risk of food allergies have been concerned about introducing allergens to their children during the Covid-19 pandemic, in fear that if the child has an allergic reaction and must go to the hospital, then they might catch the Coronavirus. 

However, despite the pandemic, most health professionals still recommended introducing children to allergen from a young age because it greatly reduces the chance of them developing allergies later in life.