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Babies and food allergies
If you have a family history of food allergies, eczema, asthma or hay fever, you may need to be particularly careful when introducing solid foods, because babies are more likely to have an allergy if there is a history of these conditions in the family. A food allergy typically causes an immediate reaction after eating the food – usually seconds or minutes after eating it.
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Signs and symptoms
Introduce the foods that are common food allergens (see list below), individually, and in the morning or early afternoon so that you can look out for any reaction to that food.
The signs to look out for include:
- Any changes in breathing – breathing heavily or shortness of breath
- Itchy skin/ hives or a rash
- Runny or blocked nose
- Coughing or vomiting
- Worsening of asthma or eczema symptoms
It is important to seek medical advice if your baby shows any of these signs.
If your baby displays any of these signs: a tightening of the throat, difficulty breathing, feeling faint or a pale and clammy appearance, and swelling of the face, around the eyes, lips, or tongue – call 111, your GP or visit A & E.
Common food allergies
- Cow’s milk
- Eggs
- Fish and shellfish
- Nuts
- Seeds
- Soya
- Gluten products including wheat, rye, barley
Other foods that can cause a reaction
- Citrus fruits (e.g. oranges), Seed fruits (strawberries) and Kiwi fruit
- Mustard
- Sulphites
- Tomatoes
The effects of a food intolerance
- Stomach pain or colic
- Bloating
- Wind
- Diarrhoea and occasionally vomiting
The most common food intolerances are the same foods as for allergies, however intolerances do not involve the immune system.
Further resources
If you would like further support and advice, call our helpline on 0808 800 2222 or email us at askus@familylives.org.uk. You can talk to us online via our live chat service or message us via WhatsApp on 07441 444125 to connect with experienced professional family support workers and highly-trained volunteers. You may find it helps to find out how other parents and carers have coped with this on our online forums. We also have a range of free self-guided online parenting courses that can help through the ages and stages of parenting.
Our online parenting information is written by experienced parenting professionals. Find out more about our content authors, how it is produced, reviewed and edited.
Other organisations that can help
Visit the NHS website for further advice and support on food allergies
The NCT website has online advice about food intolerances in babies
This advice was reviewed and updated by the Camden NHS Infant Feeding Community team.