Feeding Solid Foods Before Sixth Month Increases Allergy Risks

Filed in archive Food Allergies , Living with Allergies on August 3, 2006

Looking back, it seems that I did something right: I waited til my son's sixth month (almost seventh, in fact) til I introduced solid foods. According to allergy experts, feeding solid foods to infants before 6 months of age can increase the risk of allergies.

The Adverse reactions to Foods Committee of the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI) specifically recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months. Exclusive means no formula, nor other supplemental solid foods. When introducing solids, you also have to be careful on the choice of first foods to offer. Steer away from known allergens such as nuts, fish or seafoods. Such suspect foods should be introduced carefully, and slowly, looking out for signs of allergic reactions following the meals.

Having said that, it doesn't mean that if you follow the recommendations, your child will not have allergies. Take my son for example. I did everything by the book, and yet, there he is, still coping with a number of food and skin allergies. There are also those who took the recommendations with a grain of salt, or were advised to the contrary by their own pediatricians. Introduced solids early, and paid just a fleeting thought on the choice of introductory food, and the child came out allergy-free. It all depends on how high the risk for developing allergies are in the first place. Following the guidelines will lower the risk, but may not suffice to bring it zero.

Still, if you or your partner have allergies, it may be wise to heed the experts' advice.