Guidelines for Introducing Solid Foods to Infants at High Risk for Allergies

The American College of Asthma, Allergy, & Immunology developed a consensus document for introducing solid foods into an infant's diet to avoid development of food allergies, and they published the new guidelines in the July, 2006 issue of the Annals of Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology.

Pediatricians and allergists should cautiously individualize the introduction of solids into the infant's diet. For infants at high risk for allergy the following ages are recommended:

 Exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months
 6 months - selected supplemental foods 
 12 months for dairy products
 24 months for hen's egg
 36 months for peanut, tree nuts, fish, and seafood

For all infants, complementary feeding can be introduced from the sixth month, and egg, peanut, tree nuts, fish and seafood introductory require caution. Foods should be introduced one at a time in small amounts. Mixed foods containing various food allergens should not be given unless tolerance to every ingredient has been assessed.