Doctor explains FOOD ALLERGIES WHEN WEANING BABIES

In this video Doctor O'Donovan explains key things you need to know about food allergies when weaning your baby.

According to NHS UK exclusive breastfeeding or first infant formula is recommended for around the first 6 months of life. If your baby has a cows' milk allergy and is not being breastfed, talk to your doctor or health provider about what type of formula to give your baby. If you're pregnant or breastfeeding, you do not need to avoid foods that can trigger allergic reactions (including peanuts), unless you're allergic to them.

Introducing foods that could trigger allergy:

When you start introducing solid foods to your baby from around 6 months old, introduce the foods that can trigger allergic reactions one at a time and in very small amounts so that you can spot any reaction. If your baby already has an allergy, such as a diagnosed food allergy or eczema, or if you have a family history of food allergies, eczema, asthma or hay fever, you may need to be particularly careful when introducing foods. Talk to your GP or health visitor first.

Foods that can trigger an allergic reaction are things like: cows' milk, eggs, nuts and fish.

These foods can be introduced from around 6 months as part of your baby's diet, just like any other foods as long as your baby doesn't have a known allergy to them.

Once introduced and if tolerated, these foods should become part of your baby's usual diet to minimise the risk of allergy. Evidence has shown that delaying the introduction of peanut and hen's eggs beyond 6 to 12 months may increase the risk of developing an allergy to these foods.

Lots of children outgrow their allergies to milk or eggs, but a peanut allergy is generally lifelong.

If your child has a food allergy, read food labels carefully. Avoid foods if you're not sure whether they contain the food your child is allergic to.

HOW WILL YOU KNOW IF YOUR CHILD HAS A FOOD ALLERGY?

Allergic reactions usually happen quickly within a few minutes of exposure to an allergen.

They can cause:

sneezing
a runny or blocked nose
red, itchy, watery eyes
wheezing and coughing
red, itchy rash
worsening of asthma or eczema symptoms

Most allergic reactions are mild, but occasionally a severe reaction called anaphylaxis or anaphylactic shock can occur. This is a medical emergency and needs urgent treatment.

Do not be tempted to experiment by cutting out a major food, such as milk, because this could lead to your child not getting the nutrients they need.

CONTENTS AND TIMESTAMPS:

00:00 - Introduction
00:14 - How common are food allergies amongst children?
00:38 - What are common allergens?
01:00 - How to introduce foods to your babies diet
01:41 - What does an allergy look like (symptoms)?
04:17 - Prevention of food allergies in children

Further information:

NHS information on food allergies in children: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/baby/we...

NHS information on weaning babies: https://www.nhs.uk/start-for-life/bab...

#doctor #children #breastfeeding #weaningbaby #health #parenting
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