Peanut, egg and other allergens: questions parents ask
Which foods are common allergens, when and how to introduce them, which babies need a doctor's advice first, and the emergency signs that mean you should call for help.
By PreggieLover 3 min read
Few moments in weaning feel as nerve-racking as the first taste of egg or peanut. Many parents put it off for exactly that reason. Here are clear answers to the questions parents ask most often, so you can approach these foods with a plan rather than with fear.
Which foods are the common allergens?
The foods most likely to cause allergic reactions in babies and young children include:
- Cow's milk (in cooking or as yoghurt, not as a main drink before 12 months)
- Eggs
- Foods containing gluten, such as wheat, barley and rye
- Peanuts and tree nuts (always smooth, ground or crushed, never whole)
- Seeds, such as sesame (ground or as a smooth paste)
- Soya
- Fish and shellfish (always cooked thoroughly, never raw)
When should I introduce them?
From around six months, once your baby has started solids and is managing a few other foods. There is no need to delay. Current guidance suggests that putting off peanut and egg beyond the first year may make an allergy more likely, not less.
How do I introduce a new allergen?
- Choose a day when your baby is well, and a morning or early afternoon so you can watch them for the rest of the day.
- Offer a small amount mixed into a food they already enjoy, such as a little smooth peanut butter stirred into porridge, or well-cooked egg mashed into yam.
- Introduce one allergen at a time, and wait a couple of days before trying the next, so you can tell what caused any reaction.
- If there is no reaction, keep it in their diet regularly. Offering it once and then stopping for months misses part of the benefit.
Does my baby need a doctor's advice first?
Talk to your doctor or health visitor before introducing allergens if your baby:
- Has eczema, especially if it started early or is hard to control
- Already has a known food allergy or has reacted to a food before
- Has a parent or sibling with food allergies, asthma or eczema and you are worried
They may suggest a plan, or a specialist assessment, for introducing certain foods safely.
What does a mild reaction look like?
- A red, itchy rash or raised bumps (hives), often around the mouth
- Mild swelling of the lips, face or around the eyes
- Vomiting, tummy pain or diarrhoea
- Sneezing, a runny nose or itchy, watery eyes
If you see signs like these, stop giving that food and speak to your doctor before trying it again.
What are the emergency signs?
Call your local emergency number straight away (999 in the UK, 112 in Nigeria) if, after eating, your baby has:
- Difficulty breathing, wheezing or noisy, fast breathing
- Persistent coughing, a hoarse cry or trouble swallowing
- Swelling of the tongue or throat
- Sudden paleness, floppiness, unusual sleepiness or collapse
These can be signs of anaphylaxis, a severe allergic reaction that needs emergency treatment.
Can allergies show up more slowly?
Yes. Some reactions, especially to cow's milk, appear hours or days later, with eczema flaring, reflux, persistent diarrhoea or blood in the poo. If you notice a pattern like this, see your doctor. Do not change your baby's formula or cut out major foods without advice.
What if I am anxious?
That is understandable, particularly if allergies run in your family. Plan the first taste for a calm morning, keep your phone charged and nearby, and have another adult at home if possible. Preparation is not a lack of faith; it is good stewardship of the child God has entrusted to you.
New every morning
There is a verse that suits the slow, one-food-at-a-time rhythm of weaning: "They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness" (Lamentations 3:23). The writer is speaking of God's mercies. Each morning brings a fresh supply, enough for that day. You do not need courage for every allergen today, just enough for this one small spoonful. Tomorrow's mercies will be waiting tomorrow.
A prayer before a new food
Faithful God, I bring you my worries about this new food. Steady my hands and settle my heart. Protect my baby's body, give me clear eyes to notice what I need to notice, and thank you that your mercies meet me fresh this morning. Amen.
Frequently asked questions
When should I give my baby peanut and egg?
From around six months, once your baby has started solids. Delaying peanut and egg beyond the first year may make an allergy more likely. Talk to your doctor first if your baby has eczema or a known food allergy.
How should I give peanut to a baby?
Never give whole nuts. Offer a small amount of smooth peanut butter or ground peanut mixed into a food your baby already eats, and keep offering it regularly if there is no reaction.
What are the signs of a severe allergic reaction in a baby?
Breathing difficulty, wheezing, persistent coughing, a hoarse cry, swelling of the tongue or throat, paleness, floppiness or collapse. Call your local emergency number straight away.
This article is for general information and encouragement, not medical advice. Please talk to your doctor or midwife about your own health and your baby's.
