help with introducing solids to baby

Colleen - posted on 05/15/2009

My son was allergic to soy and is still allergic to peanuts.... since they are both legumes we where told to proceed cautiously with all legumes. Try only kind of bean at a time and even if there isn't a big reaction, don't encourage it if he isn't interested, since it may cause him mild discomfort. My son was allergic to eggs as well, it too is a top allergen. My son LOVED sweet potatoes when he was starting solids, I've read they are an excellent early food. He never really took to solid food until after his 3rd birthday. His pediatric allergist said this is normal for kids with food allergies. According to the World Health Organization, there are studies being done that suggest that we in the US & western Europe introduce solid food too early and too much variety too quickly. That for many babies their GI tracts are immature, and not ready for solid food. That the rise in pediatric allergies can be related to this. Countries where on average children breast fed or bottle fed into their toddler years the number of children with pediatric food allergies is significantly lower. are Not sure if the study has been completed but its food for thought. Of course I was worried that he wasn't getting enough nutrition. He said pay attention to his growth and development. If those are fine then, he's getting enough food.

Motomi - posted on 05/12/2009

Carrie,



All the items that I can think of for waiting to introduce to infants are milk (not formula) until 12 months, honey (non allergy related), shellfish, peanuts if allergy run in the family. Other than what my son is allergic to, we are also avoiding treenuts and shellfish (legume due to cross reactivity to his allergen, and few others for other reasons) for now just in case since he's allergic to most everything. You said "until old enough for testing" is that your choice or were you told that it's not safe to get tested until certain age?

Carrie - posted on 05/11/2009

Also, journal what baby is eating and then also any reactions... this will help you eliminate offending foods! My daughter got little red bumps around her mouth and then w fuzzy red shapes that would come and go when she had her reactions (rising up her ear area behind it and up her neck) before we knew about her allergies. This happened two times in a day period and we cut back to the milk and applesauce we knew was SAFE and then journal helped us pinpoint what DID work...until old enough for testing!

Carrie - posted on 05/11/2009

ok, I wish I'd have known allergies ran in my hus. family but didn't! I had a family dr. not a pediatrician so didn't know that egg is one food that babies are not to have until AFTER they are 2! That's what i know NOW. Too late for us. Also, beans are a legume (related to the nut family) so my child was being exposed in the womb and by my milk for a long time before I knew that she was allergic to all my main diet....egg, peanut, soy and seafood. I'd hold off on eggs and beans. I don't know that there's anything else that ped. say to wait on besides egg. Hope this helps and hope somebody has info for us to help us!

Deena - posted on 05/07/2009

Thanks for your suggestions. I hadn't thought about corn or hemp and have never hear of Quinoa. No he has not been tested yet, I'm trying to wait until he is 1 yr. I have avoided soy becuase it is a high allergen and becuase I hear so much about how it is not digested well. I'll look for grits and try corn tortillas and brocolli next. Thanks again for your ideas.

Motomi - posted on 05/07/2009

Wow. This is tough! Has your little one been tested for allergy yet?



For grains, it's good that he can have wheat. Have you tried Quinoa? It's got really good nutrient. The taste is a bit getting used to but babies do better since they are not so used to other great tasting food yet. You may also try hemp. I haven't personally tried this though. Have you tried corn? You can try grits maybe?



Vegetable wise, I don't know much about what may cross react. How about brocolli, sweet potatoes, etc. If I roast veggies, my son usually eats anything. I think you just have to try and see and may be look up to see what vegetables are in the same family of vegetables that your little one reacted, and try to avoid those but keep trying other things.



I would personally avoid any eggs since that's common allergen food. I'm not so sure about beans...since green beans is considered legume I believe. If your little one's reaction wasn't severe you could try but that's if you feel comfortable.



How about soy? Has there been any reaction to that? If not, you can try tofu but soy is also another 8 most common allergies for children and part of legume family, so keep that in mind...