Food Guide for Babies at Risk of Allergies Updated

OTTAWA – The new Canadian Pediatric Society guidelines suggest that babies who are allergic to a high risk of developing allergies are offered allergenic foods that are common at about six months of age.

Babies ready to eat earlier can start as early as four months of age, but not before.

The recommendations follow a recent shift in thinking about when to introduce potential allergens, the most common being cow's milk, eggs, peanuts, nuts, fish, crustaceans, wheat and soy.

Babies are considered high risk if they have a history of eczema, or if a parent or sibling is allergic.

The company advises caregivers to offer one at a time potential allergens to evaluate their reaction. If foods are well tolerated, offer them a few times a week to maintain tolerance. If you experience any side effects, see a doctor for next steps.

The company has drawn attention to new evidence showing that offering strong allergens before six months could help prevent the development of an allergy in high-risk infants, particularly eggs and mice. peanuts.

This is in contrast to the company's 2013 guidance, which advocated six months of exclusive badfeeding for infants at high risk of food allergy.

The new guidelines indicate that Health Canada always recommends badfeeding exclusively for six months. However, infants a few weeks younger can try the solids if they are ready.

"We now know that in high-risk children, allergenic foods should be introduced at an early age," said Thursday Dr. Elissa Abrams, president of the SPC's allergy section and pediatric immunologist. University of Manitoba.

"For families with a history of allergies, these recommendations guide them on what they can do to help prevent illness in their children."

Babies who are not considered high risk should start trying foods from the age of six months.

For solid newborns, the company recommends diluting the smooth peanut butter with water or mixing it with a juice or mash of fruit or vegetables or previously tolerated bad milk.

Older infants may try to spread the peanut butter slightly over a piece of toast.