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Just when you finally get the hang of milk feeds and feel like you can breathe (or maybe even sleep?), it’s time to start solid foods—another big (and messy!) milestone. And just when that starts to feel manageable, you realize you also have to introduce allergens, adding yet another layer of stress and overwhelm to the mix.
Introducing the top nine allergens—peanuts, tree nuts, fish, eggs, shellfish, wheat, sesame, dairy, and soy—around the six month mark is important. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), early exposure can actually help reduce the risk of future food allergies. But it’s not just about introducing them once—it’s about keeping them in your baby’s diet regularly once you know they’re safe.
For many parents, this step can feel overwhelming (and a little scary) because of the fear of an allergic reaction. But with these five tried-and-true tips, introducing allergens can feel a lot more doable and way less stressful.
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Tip #1: Introduce Allergens in the Morning
This is hands down one of my favorite tips, and one that’s often overlooked. Introduce your baby to allergens in the morning because it gives you the whole day to monitor for any reactions. Try to offer the new food well before their morning nap so you have plenty of time to keep watch.
Keep in mind that most allergic reactions happen within minutes to a couple of hours after eating an allergen so if your baby does have an allergic reaction, you’ll likely catch it pretty quickly. Either way, introducing allergens earlier in the day can give you peace of mind and make the whole process feel a little less nerve-wracking.
Tip #2: Start Small and Go Slow
When introducing allergens, start small—it’s always better to ease in! That's because the smaller the quantity, the less severe of an allergic reaction (if your baby does have a food allergy). For example, try mixing 1/8 teaspoon of thinned peanut butter into your baby’s pureed bananas. If there’s no reaction, you can gradually increase the amount to ¼ teaspoon the next time and slowly work your way up with each exposure. Once you’ve ruled out an allergy after 3 to 4 days, aim to offer the food a couple times per week for continual exposure to decrease the risk of developing a future food allergy.
Tip #3: Keep Up Regular Exposure with the Help of Happy Family Organics
As we’ve mentioned, early introduction is super important—but so is keeping up regular exposure. Once you know an allergen is safe, the goal is to offer it a couple of times a week. And that’s where Happy Baby Nutty Blends come in! These pouches contain pureed fruit with 1 gram of peanut or tree nut protein, making regular exposure super convenient. They’re perfect for busy days, travel, or those weeks when you’re just running on empty and need something quick and convenient. Plus, they’re organic, non-GMO, and have also earned the Clean Label Purity Award.
Tip #4: Focus on Kitchen Staples
The last thing you want is added stress about foods you eat every day. While it’s important to introduce all nine allergens, start with the ones you and your family eat most often. That way, you can rule those out first. For us, that meant peanuts, tree nuts, eggs, and dairy—but it might look different for your family depending on your preferences and diet.
Tip #5: Plan introductions around doctor visits
If you’re feeling a bit anxious about introducing allergens, one way to ease your worry is by timing your first exposure with a well-visit at the pediatrician's office. While it’s not realistic for every allergen, it can work for the 6-month check-up. You can introduce the allergen right before the appointment, giving you some peace of mind knowing the doctor is nearby in case of a reaction.
