I am writing this in part because I’ve heard countless mothers say that their baby is allergic to their breast milk because the baby is spitting up and in part because I think many people fail to understand food allergies and babies and how the whole ‘solid foods’ thing works in general. So consider this a primer on recognizing food intolerances in your baby.
Breast Milk and Allergies
It is virtually impossible to be allergic to breast milk. Some babies are sensitive to things that mom eats–the most common culprit being cow’s milk protein. However, actually physically being allergic to breast milk is impossible outside of other extreme medical conditions.
Furthermore, breastfeeding exclusively for a full six months in addition to continuing breastfeeding for at least a year, significantly reduces the amount of food allergies your baby may get. One theory is that early exposure is a common culprit for severe allergies and therefore eliminating early exposure helps ensure that your baby won’t suffer with allergies.
Symptoms of Food Allergies
If your baby experiences a severe food allergy it’s fairly obvious. Difficulty breathing, swollen facial features, and hives are all symptoms of allergies and will generally occur immediately after exposure to the allergen. Eggs, berries, citrus fruits, and peanut butter are all common ‘high allergy’ foods.
However, many babies have allergies but don’t have severe symptoms. When you start solids, you should generally start feeding babies one new food at a time and then watch for vomiting, diarrhea, or generally being fussy. If your baby experiences some of these less obvious allergic reactions after trying a new food, eliminate the food right away. You can reintroduce the food later when your baby’s gut is more mature.
Related Articles:
5 Cultural Myths About Starting Solid Foods
Help! My Baby Hates Solid Foods