Introducing solids:
Babies often have no allergic reactions until solids are introduced.
Reactions may be caused from an allergy or a food intolerance. A food intolerance usually means your baby is having trouble digesting the food.
Introduce one food at a time especially if your family has a history of allergies.
Wait four days. E.g. If you try a new food on Monday, wait until Friday to introduce another new food.
For guidelines on which foods and how much food to offer, talk to your Plunket nurse.
If there is any sign of an allergic reaction, DO NOT give your baby any more.
Talk to your doctor.
Signs of an allergic reaction:
Hives or welts Flushed skin or rash
Face, tongue, or lip swelling Vomiting and/or diarrhoea
Coughing or wheezing Difficulty breathing
Loss of consciousness Unusually unsettled
Skin blisters - a safe way to test for a potential food allergy
The skin of severely allergic babies will sometimes blister when a food the baby is allergic to touches the skin. Put a small amount of the new food on your baby’s leg to see if there is a reaction.
Warning: Don’t let your baby touch the food and then put it in his/her mouth.
Baby vomits
If your baby vomits (throws up) a food as soon as you’ve given it, do not give any more. Your baby may be allergic to that food.
Baby’s face swells
Call an ambulance. Dial 111 (New Zealand only)
Baby has trouble breathing or starts to turn blue
Call an ambulance. Tell them your baby may need adrenaline.
Dial 111 (New Zealand only)
Dietitian: If you have concerns about your baby’s diet, ask your doctor to refer you to a dietitian.
Babies often have no allergic reactions until solids are introduced.
Reactions may be caused from an allergy or a food intolerance. A food intolerance usually means your baby is having trouble digesting the food.
Introduce one food at a time especially if your family has a history of allergies.
Wait four days. E.g. If you try a new food on Monday, wait until Friday to introduce another new food.
For guidelines on which foods and how much food to offer, talk to your Plunket nurse.
If there is any sign of an allergic reaction, DO NOT give your baby any more.
Talk to your doctor.
Signs of an allergic reaction:
Hives or welts Flushed skin or rash
Face, tongue, or lip swelling Vomiting and/or diarrhoea
Coughing or wheezing Difficulty breathing
Loss of consciousness Unusually unsettled
Skin blisters - a safe way to test for a potential food allergy
The skin of severely allergic babies will sometimes blister when a food the baby is allergic to touches the skin. Put a small amount of the new food on your baby’s leg to see if there is a reaction.
Warning: Don’t let your baby touch the food and then put it in his/her mouth.
Baby vomits
If your baby vomits (throws up) a food as soon as you’ve given it, do not give any more. Your baby may be allergic to that food.
Baby’s face swells
Call an ambulance. Dial 111 (New Zealand only)
Baby has trouble breathing or starts to turn blue
Call an ambulance. Tell them your baby may need adrenaline.
Dial 111 (New Zealand only)
Dietitian: If you have concerns about your baby’s diet, ask your doctor to refer you to a dietitian.