Feeding
Introducing allergenic foods early
This might surprise you: research strongly suggests introducing common allergens like peanuts and eggs *early*—around 6 months—actually reduces your baby's risk of developing allergies to those foods. This flips the old advice about avoiding them. For peanuts, you might try a small amount of peanut butter mixed into other foods. For eggs, cooked egg at 6 to 8 months may be especially protective. If your baby has severe eczema or a known egg allergy, talk to your pediatrician about timing and amounts. The bottom line: early exposure seems to teach your baby's immune system to accept these foods safely, rather than fear them. Take great care if specific allergies run in the family. Speak to your paediatrician.
Clare shares research to help you feel informed — not to replace your doctor. For anything specific to your child, your healthcare provider is always the best first call.
Research sources
· Annals of nutrition & metabolism, 2017
· Nutrients, 2018
· Asia Pacific allergy, 2023
· Frontiers in allergy, 2023
· MCN. The American journal of maternal child nursing, 2017