Introducing solids other than breast milk and formula feeds is an exciting phase for you. You want to introduce your baby to the healthiest of the foods so that he grows up to be a healthy and fit person. While it is quite fun to see your baby accept new foods with his cute reactions, it is also important to observe and check for food allergies, if any.
Since your baby is new to solids, it may take a while for him to accept these. His body may not be able to welcome the change in diet. Don’t panic when you notice resistance and certain food allergies, as they may result from the initial reaction to new foods. Plus, these may go away with time or medication.
When do food allergies become visible?
While most food allergies appear almost instantly after your baby has had his food, some do take time to appear. You need to wait for at least 2 hours after feeding your baby to check for allergic reactions, if any. If you don’t notice any not-so-good reactions or changes in your baby’s body for 2 hours, you can be rest assured that your baby’s digestive system can handle the food that you fed him, perfectly well.
Importance of early diagnosis
It is important to check with your paediatrician, whenever your baby exhibits strange reactions after having had a meal. Even if you see minor rashes on his body, you will have to report this to your doctor. It is very important that you don’t ignore any of these symptoms. In rare cases, allergies, when not treated properly, may turn into a serious ailment as well.
Some common allergy symptoms
- Hives
- Skin rashes, itchiness or redness
- Vomiting and diarrhoea
- Severe bouts of coughing
- Wheezing and respiratory issues
- Swelling in the lips, face and tongue
- Drowsiness
You need to talk with your doctor and have a list of the symptoms that are very dangerous for your baby. When you notice these symptoms, you have to ensure that your baby gets medical help right away.
What should you know about food allergies in babies?
Young babies, infants in particular, are more prone to food allergies than kids who are aged 5 and above. This is because as they grow, their immunity system gets developed. For example, many parents have experienced that as their kids grow up, they begin to eat eggs and milk without any problems, even though these kids were allergic to these food items as a baby. So, you can be assured that most of your baby’s food allergies too will start vanishing one by one as he grows up.
What can you do?
To ensure that your baby is not prone to any food allergies, you should do all that it takes to improve his immunity system. Exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months will help him make him less prone to allergies. Also, before introducing any new food, you should always check with your paediatrician to know if you are introducing it at the right time. Make sure you introduce new foods, especially those that can trigger an allergic reaction, one at a time.
