While there are some risk factors that make it more likely for your baby to develop a food allergy, it’s important to note that all babies are at risk of developing a food allergy. Learn more about the top risk factors and early allergen introduction in this blog.
At Ready. Set. Food!, we’re committed to food allergy education so that families can make informed decisions about their children’s nutrition and introduce allergens safely and easily. While there are some risk factors that will make it more likely for your baby to develop a food allergy, it’s important to note that all babies are at risk of developing a food allergy. This blog focuses on the top food allergy risk factors and highlights some ways that you can help reduce your baby’s risk of developing a food allergy.
Eczema
Up to 67% of babies with severe eczema will develop a food allergy, and the American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology (AAAAI) calls eczema the highest risk factor for developing a food allergy. This is because food allergies and eczema are both considered “atopic” conditions that involve reactions in the immune system when someone is exposed to an irritant or allergen.
Allergists state that it is critical for babies with eczema to be introduced to common allergens like milk, eggs, and peanuts, between 4 and 6 months old and maintain these foods in their diet often. The LEAP and PETIT clinical trials demonstrated that early allergen introduction is safe and important for babies with severe eczema. If your baby has eczema, talk to your pediatrician about the best plan of action for your family.
History of Food Allergies In Your Family
One study found that if you have a sibling with a food allergy, the chance that you’ll also develop one is 13%. While family history is a risk factor that may be out of your control, you can still introduce allergens early and often to help reduce the risk of developing a food allergy.
Delaying Allergen Introduction
Results from the LEAP, EAT, and PETIT studies showed that introducing allergens as early as 4 months of age (and before baby’s first birthday) lead to healthier outcomes of food freedom. These studies led to the creation of medical guidelines from leading organizations like the USDA Dietary Guidelines and AAAAI that recommend introducing allergens as early as 4 months of age.
There’s also a safety factor to consider if you delay allergen introduction. The longer you wait to introduce allergens to your baby, the more likely your baby will have an allergic reaction. This study found that introducing allergens to your baby before they turn 1 is the safest time to introduce them since severe allergic reactions are least common in babies under 1 year old.
Exposure to Environmental Pollution
Babies exposed to environmental pollution are also at higher risk of developing a food allergy. Babies who live in rural areas with less exposure to things like car exhaust are at a lower risk of food allergy. Babies in more rural areas are also exposed to greater biodiversity, reducing their chance of a food allergy.
In addition, babies who have older siblings and/or pets are at a lower risk for developing a food allergy. Siblings and pets expose babies to more microbes which can be good for the developing immune system.
Medications
There are some medications that could increase your baby’s risk of developing a food allergy. The use of antibiotics during pregnancy or in babies moderately increases the chance of developing a food allergy. This might be because antibiotics can alter the gut microbiome which changes how the body processes foods, including allergens.
Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are used to treat acid reflux in babies but short-term use can lead to an increased risk of food allergies. One reason for this might be that reducing the amount of stomach acid changes how food proteins are digested.
While some may think that vaccines cause food allergies, several well-controlled studies have shown that vaccines do not cause food allergies. There is no need to delay vaccines out of fear of developing a food allergy.
What Can I Do To Give My Baby the Best Chance at a Life of Food Freedom?
All babies are at risk of developing a food allergy, even if no one in their direct family has a food allergy. With this statistic in mind, it’s important for parents to understand the risk factors associated with food allergies and how they can implement choices in their daily life that can help reduce the risk of their child developing a food allergy.
Early allergen introduction — the process of feeding your baby common allergens such as peanut, egg, and milk – is one of the best ways that you can help your baby achieve a life of food freedom to enjoy a variety of foods. Landmark clinical studies and medical guidelines from the USDA Dietary Guidelines and AAAAI recommend introducing allergens as early as 4 months of age.
Introducing these allergens during baby’s first year of life can be difficult, especially as a first-time parent. That’s where Ready. Set. Food! is here to help. We offer a variety of products to meet your baby wherever they are in their feeding journey.
With our Stage 1 Mix-ins, you can start introducing peanut, egg and milk as early as 4-6 months of age, which follows the medical guidelines mentioned above. These pre-measured daily packets can be added to your baby’s bottle or their favorite solid meal.
From there, you can move onto our Maintain stage to maintain exposure to the top 3 allergens with Organic Purees, Stage 2 Mix-ins, and Organic Baby Oatmeal - 3 Allergens.
When you’re ready to expose baby to the 9 top allergens (peanut, egg, milk, cashew, almond, walnut, sesame, soy, and wheat) around 6 months old, you can use our Organic Baby Oatmeal - 9 Allergens, Stage 3 Mix-ins, and Organic Puffs to introduce and maintain exposure. We also offer Organic Oat and Fruit Bars (contains 8 top allergens) for when your baby is 12+ months of age.
Parenting is hard – early allergen introduction doesn’t have to be!
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All health-related content on this website is for informational purposes only and does not create a doctor-patient relationship. Always seek the advice of your own pediatrician in connection with any questions regarding your baby’s health.
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. If your infant has severe eczema, check with your infant’s healthcare provider before feeding foods containing ground peanuts.