Learn the difference between food allergies and food intolerances in babies, and what to do about them.
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Food allergies and food intolerances are one of the biggest worries a parent has when weaning. A food allergy is your baby’s immune system reacting to specific foods. While some allergies can be mild, others are more serious and symptoms can affect various parts of the body at once. Food intolerances are usually less serious and are often linked just to the digestive system.
Up to 8% of children under the age of three have a food allergy. If there’s a family history of a food allergy or other allergic conditions, such as asthma, hay fever or eczema in your family, then baby is more likely to have one too. Interestingly, the link between food allergies and eczema is the strongest.
The more you know about allergies the easier it will be to diagnose and prevent them. You can take a closer look at our guide to general allergies in babies.
Most common food allergy causes
When you’re weaning, try giving baby new foods one by one so you can easily identify the food that may have caused an allergic reaction. The most common food allergies in babies and young children are milk, eggs, peanuts, and tree nuts such as hazelnuts, walnuts and almonds. The statistics are:
- milk: between 1.6% and 7% of babies
- eggs: about 2% of children under three years
- peanuts: up to 2% of children
Other common foods allergens:
- Cereals containing gluten
- Soya
- Fish
- Crustaceans (Shellfish)
- Celery
- Mustard
- Sesame seeds
- Molluscs
- Lupin beans
- Sulphur dioxide and sulphites (food additives)
How to spot the signs of allergies in babies
If you notice any of these symptoms after baby has eaten something, it could mean they’re having an allergic reaction.
- Diarrhoea or vomiting
- A persistent cough
- Wheezing and shortness of breath
- Red or inflamed throat and tongue
- Itchy, flushed skin or rash
- Swollen lips and throat
- Runny or blocked nose
- Sore, red and itchy eyes
See our handy guide to understanding allergies.
What to do if you see these baby food allergy symptoms
- Contact a healthcare professional as soon as you think something's wrong.
- Once the diagnosis of a food allergy or food intolerance is confirmed, discuss how to manage your baby's diet to make sure they still get all the nutrients they need for healthy growth and development.
- Many babies outgrow their food allergies and food intolerances in early childhood.
- Visit Allergy UK for find more tips on dealing with food allergies.
What if baby’s food allergy symptoms are severe?
More severe symptoms like wheezing, breathing difficulties, throat and tongue swelling, and a sudden drop in blood pressure is known as anaphylaxis, or anaphylactic shock, and can be life-threatening, you can learn what to do in an emergency like this from the British Red Cross.
Thankfully, severe reactions are rare. However, if you suspect your child is having a severe allergic reaction, use an adrenaline auto-injector pen if you have been prescribed one, and call an ambulance immediately. Don't try to make your child vomit.
