Introducing Common Allergy-Causing Foods to Your Baby Safely
Why early introduction of foods like egg and peanut is now commonly recommended, how to do it safely and what to watch for.
Before you use this guide: This is general educational information, not an individual medical assessment. We do not identify a clinician reviewer on this page, so please confirm personal health decisions with your doctor, midwife or paediatrician.
Parents used to be told to delay foods such as egg and peanut. Research has changed that advice. Introducing these foods in the early months of eating solids, and then giving them regularly, may lower the chance of a food allergy. Always follow your own doctor's or health service's advice, which may differ in your country.
Which foods count?
- Cow's milk, as yoghurt, cheese or in cooked foods. It is not recommended as a main drink before 12 months.
- Eggs, well cooked, such as hard-boiled or scrambled
- Peanut and tree nuts, as smooth nut butter thinned with water or breast milk, or as ground nuts, never whole
- Wheat and other gluten-containing grains
- Soya, sesame, fish and shellfish
How to introduce them safely
- Wait until your baby is ready for solids, usually around six months, and not before four months.
- Choose a time when your baby is well, and early in the day so that you can watch for any reaction.
- Introduce one new allergen at a time, in a small amount, and wait a couple of days before the next so that you can tell which food caused a problem.
- Offer the food in a safe form. Never give whole nuts or lumps of nut butter, which are choking hazards.
- Once a food is tolerated, keep offering it regularly, a few times a week, to maintain tolerance.
Check first if your baby is at higher risk
Babies with severe eczema, or with an existing food allergy such as egg allergy, have a higher chance of peanut allergy. Ask your doctor for advice before giving peanut or egg for the first time. They may recommend allergy testing or a supervised first introduction.
Signs of an allergic reaction
Reactions usually start within minutes to two hours of eating. Mild reactions include a red rash or hives, itchy skin, mild swelling of the lips or face, or vomiting.
- Call emergency services immediately if your baby has difficulty breathing, noisy breathing or wheezing, swelling of the tongue or throat, a persistent cough, or becomes pale, floppy, unusually drowsy or collapses. This can be anaphylaxis, which is a medical emergency.
- For milder reactions, stop the food and contact your doctor the same day for advice.
Vomiting, loose stools or worsening eczema that appear hours or days after a new food can also point to an intolerance or allergy. Tell your doctor, and do not keep offering the food until you have been advised.
Trusted resources to read next
These public health resources provide additional information. Guidance can vary by country, so prioritise advice from your own care team and local health service.
- WHO: Infant and young child feeding — Global recommendations and information on infant feeding.
- NHS: Pregnancy and baby — UK health-service guidance for pregnancy and the early days with a baby.
This content is for general information only and is not medical advice. Every pregnancy and every baby is different. Always talk to your doctor, midwife or paediatrician about your own situation, and seek urgent care if you are worried.