Starting Solids: Food Allergy and Intolerance
Starting solids is a great milestone in a baby’s life, but it doesn’t come without its drawbacks. Due to an immature digestive system, babies and children are at greater risk of food intolerance and allergy. That is why many health providers and organizations now recommend holding off on solids until at least six months of age. Whenever the baby is introduced to solids there are many signs to look out for.
There is a great difference between food allergy and food intolerance. Many people mistakenly refer to any negative reaction to a food as an allergy. However, a true allergy is severe and will make itself known within minutes of contact with a food. Anaphylactic shock may occur with true allergies and in its most severe, can be deadly. Any shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, or swelling should be considered an allergic reaction and an emergency. Call 911 or take baby to the emergency room in such case.
A food intolerance, which is much more common when starting solids, is most likely characterized by tummy upset. Gas is a common occurrence and can be helped by infant massage and/or Mylicon drops until baby is feeling better. Constipation is another symptom of intolerance and can be dealt with by a number of ways. These include introducing bowel-stimulating foods (such as pureed prunes), giving baby a bit if water, and/or bicycling baby’s legs to work it out. On the flip side, diarrhea can also occur; in which case baby should be kept as hydrated as possible until it runs its course.
As solids are introduced, be sure to only try one food at a time for several days. That way, baby will have time to adjust and his caregiver will have a way to determine which foods may be causing a problem. It is a good idea to cut back on or eliminate any foods causing intolerance until further instructions from the baby’s doctor or midwife. Of course, there should be no more contact with a food that caused a severe reaction. Just assume that food to be highly dangerous to baby. Common allergens include: cow’s milk, nuts, gluten, and citrus.
Keep all commonly allergenic foods away from baby, at least until the first year is up. Remember, they have been on a strict liquid diet for their entire existence and their immune systems are weaker than an adult’s. It really is best to restrain from feeding baby solids until he is at least six months old, sometimes later. If there is a family history of food allergies, be especially cautious and take things slowly. Remember, any questions or concerns should be directed to baby’s physician or midwife.
