Whether it's an allergic reaction or a food intolerance (also called a 'food sensitivity'), getting to the bottom of what's causing the issues using an Elimination Diet is beneficial to preventing symptoms. While there are some cross overs in symptoms for food allergies and food intolerances, allergies are based on an immune response and intolerances are generally related to digestion difficulties.
If you suspect your child has a food allergy or intolerance, please seek medical advice
before beginning an allergen-free diet. It’s important to make sure that nutrition is
considered, that monitoring of weight and growth is planned, and that any other
conditions are ruled out.
What is a Food Allergy? A food or substance that causes an allergy is called an allergen. A food allergy occurs when
someone’s immune system has an over-reactive response to a protein within a food. Too
many antibodies are created and there’s an allergic reaction. This could be severe or mild,
appearing within minutes or up to 4 hours after eating the food. Examples of symptoms
include rashes, swelling of the face, wheezing and shortness of breath and vomiting.
What is a Food Intolerance (or Sensitivity)? Someone might have difficulty digesting a food without having an immune response. This is
a food intolerance rather than an allergy. Examples of symptoms include bloating,
gas/flatulence, and diarrhea.
How do I know if my baby has a food allergy or intolerance?
If you are breastfeeding your baby, or beginning baby on solids, and you notice it has any of these issues, you should seek medical advice. It may be a result of an allergy or intolerance through your diet, or it could be something else.
Mild symptoms of food allergies in babies include:
Vomiting, diarrhea and colic like symptoms (baby won’t be able to tell you if they have stomach cramps or nausea)
Rashes and skin changes
Runny nose, sneezing, coughing and wheezing
If you notice signs of a serious food allergy, call emergency services right away. Signs of serious allergic reactions in babies include:
Swelling of the lips, mouth, tongue, face and/or throat
Difficulty breathing
Pale skin, floppyness and/or a collapse
Can I prevent my baby from developing a food allergy?
If food allergies run in the family, then there is a chance that baby will inherit that food allergy too. Babies with eczema are more likely to have food intolerances and allergies. However, research shows that delaying the introduction of food allergens increases the chances of babies developing allergies or intolerances.
It’s useful to start baby on allergen-free food and introduce each allergen one at a time, so you can pay attention to any potential symptoms. Give them a small amount of each allergen, and wait several days before you introduce the next allergen.
Can food allergies in babies be cured?
There is no cure for food allergies, but they can be managed. And most babies grow out of allergies as they get older.
Once you know what food is causing an allergic reaction in your child, don’t feed them that food. Remember to check the ingredients on all food packaging. For anaphylactic reactions, an EpiPen can be used.
What are the most common foods or food groups that cause symptoms and allergic reactions?
Milk (i.e dairy products)
Eggs
Fish (e.g. bass, flounder, cod)
Crustacean shellfish (e.g. crab, lobster,
shrimp)
Tree nuts (e.g. almonds, walnuts,
pecans)
Peanuts
Wheat (i.e. gluten)
Soybeans
Sesame
Food additives, e.g. sulphites in dried fruit, canned goods and wine, can also trigger
symptoms, so may be worth investigating if you don’t find any answers after removing
these nine allergens from your diet.
How do I know if a food contains an allergen?
Food allergens must be listed in bold in the ingredients list on the back of all food
products. All of the recipes in this book avoid the above nine allergens.
Will my baby get all the nutrients it needs if I remove allergens from its diet (or mine)?
An Elimination Diet that completely removes all allergens is only for a short amount of time: 3-4 weeks. There are plenty of other foods to get key nutrients from that don't contain allergens. Your family doctor, pediatrician or a nutritionist can give you resources to aid you through this journey. And of course the eBook: Allergen-Free Recipes for Babies, Toddlers and Breastfeeding Mothers has been developed with nutrition in mind.
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