ASCIA PCC How to Introduce Solid Foods FAQ 2020139.87 KB This information aims to provide parents with practical advice on how to introduce solid foods to your baby, based on current evidence for food allergy prevention. This advice is relevant for all babies, particularly those with severe eczema, or existing food allergy, or a family member (parent or sibling) with allergies. Key Points
It is important to note that some babies may still develop a food allergy even if this advice is followed. Note: Questions 1 to 5 below are about food allergy prevention and questions 6 to 11 include general feeding advice. Q 1: Why should egg and peanut be introduced by 12 months of age?
Q 2: How should egg and peanut be introduced? Introduce well cooked egg and smooth peanut butter/paste in small amounts to start with, as you would with other foods. You may choose to do this during meals soon after waking, so that you can watch your baby and respond if they have an allergic reaction. If you require some guidance you may wish to:
Q3: What should you do if your baby has an allergic reaction?
Q 4: What should you do if your baby already has food allergies?
Q 5: What should you do if other family members have food allergies? If other family members have food allergies, it is still important to introduce those foods to your baby if you are able to continue feeding them the food once introduced. To keep the family member with food allergies safe, you can:
Q 6: How do you know if your baby is ready to start solid foods? Your baby should be ready to start eating solid foods around six months of age (not before four months), when they:
These signs happen at different times for different babies. If your baby is not eating solid foods by seven months of age, discuss this with your child health nurse, doctor or dietitian. Solid foods should not be started before four months. Studies have shown that babies at high risk of having allergies who are exclusively breastfed for the first three to four months of life are less likely to develop food allergies and eczema during the first two years of life. There are also developmental reasons why solid foods should not be started before four months, as a baby’s digestive system and ability to chew and swallow are not yet fully developed or ready for solid foods. Q 7: How should solid foods be introduced?
Q 8: In what order should solid foods be introduced?
Q 9: Why is it important to give your baby a variety of foods? Babies need to learn to eat a variety of solid foods, from each food group, to receive adequate amounts of important nutrients including fat, protein, vitamins and minerals, such as calcium, iron and zinc. It is therefore important to continue to regularly give foods that you have introduced to your baby so that they are eating a wide variety of foods from each food group by 12 months of age, including:
Q 10: How can you prevent your baby from choking on hard pieces of food?
Q 11: What drinks should you give your baby?
Q 12: Where can you obtain further information? ASCIA infant feeding and allergy prevention information: www.allergy.org.au/patients/allergy-prevention Nip allergies in the Bub website for practical information including food ideas and recipes suitable for different developmental stages: https://preventallergies.org.au/ Support for patients, consumers and carers: Allergy & Anaphylaxis Australia allergyfacts.org.au Allergy New Zealand allergy.org.nz © ASCIA 2020 ASCIA is the peak professional body of clinical immunology/allergy specialists in Australia and New Zealand. ASCIA resources are based on published literature and expert review, however, they are not intended to replace medical advice. The content of ASCIA resources is not influenced by any commercial organisations. For more information go to www.allergy.org.au To donate to immunology/allergy research go to www.allergyimmunology.org.au/donate Content updated November 2020 |