Though introducing solid foods and seeing your baby react to new flavours and textures is one of the best parts of their first year, it can also be quite stressful. How do you know if your baby is allergic to something? How do you check for them? What happens if they have an allergic reaction? What do you do? The worries are endless, but there are safe and effective ways we can check for them.

Firstly, it is important to always remain calm. Though some allergies are dangerous, many are also quite mild and can be treated relatively easily.

Typically, it is advised to introduce one food item at a time, and to do it gradually. With every new food item, especially common allergens, it is important to keep an eye on your child afterwards to look out for any symptoms, such as rashes, runny noses or any kind of mild discomfort.

If you are concerned about allergens; maybe you suffer from them yourself, have an older child that did, or have just heard one too many horror stories, then here are some tips to consider when weaning your baby:

1. Introduce each new allergen one at a time.
2. Start with a very small amount (as little as 1 teaspoon) and gradually increase them over time.
3. If the allergen is introduced with no concerning reactions, then it is safe to assume your child is not allergic and you can continue to incorporate it into their diet.
4. Be sure to only introduce an allergen if your baby is well; if they are fighting a cold, cough or flu, then wait until they are fully recovered before introducing them.
5. Introduce the allergens earlier in the day, such as for breakfast or lunch; this gives you plenty of time throughout the day to monitor your child, and if needed, to take them to the paediatrician if you are concerned.

Now, what are the most common allergens?

1. Cow’s milk
2. Nuts
3. Peanuts
4. Eggs
5. Cereals, such as wheat, rye, barley and oats
6. Sesame
7. Soy
8. Fish and seafood
9. Mustard
10. Strawberries

These are to name a few.

Despite my own research and conversations with several parents, I have found that there is no one definitive answer on how to go about testing for allergies. I did however, come across this super healthy article by Charlotte Stirling-Reed, a baby and child nutritionist, which I hope will be helpful to many of you: https://www.srnutrition.co.uk/2019/11/introducing-allergens-during-weaning/

Any other allergens you’d like to have mentioned? Or any tips on how to check for them during the weaning process? Please share in the comments!

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