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Introducing Common Allergens to Your Baby

Get clear, practical guidance on when to introduce common allergens to baby, how to offer them safely, and how to build an allergen introduction schedule that fits your baby’s stage.

Answer a few questions for personalized allergen introduction guidance

Tell us where you are in the process, and we’ll help you think through timing, first foods, and simple next steps for introducing peanut, egg, dairy, wheat, soy, tree nuts, fish, and shellfish.

What best describes where you are right now with introducing common allergens to your baby?
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A simple, steady approach to allergen introduction

Many parents want to know the best way to introduce peanut to baby, how to introduce eggs to baby, or when to start common allergens at all. A calm, step-by-step plan can make the process feel much more manageable. This page is designed for families starting solids who want practical support with introducing common allergens in age-appropriate forms, one at a time, while keeping meals simple and realistic.

What parents usually want help with

When to start

Understand when to introduce common allergens to baby as part of starting solids, based on readiness and your baby’s current feeding stage.

How to offer each food

Learn practical ideas for how to introduce allergens to baby, including peanut, egg, dairy, wheat, soy, tree nuts, fish, and shellfish in baby-friendly forms.

How to stay organized

Use a simple allergen introduction schedule for babies so you can move forward with more confidence and less guesswork.

Common allergens parents ask about most

Peanut and tree nuts

Get guidance on the best way to introduce peanut to baby and how to introduce tree nuts to baby using smooth, age-appropriate preparations rather than whole nuts.

Egg, dairy, wheat, and soy

See practical starting points for how to introduce eggs to baby, how to introduce dairy to baby, how to introduce wheat to baby, and how to introduce soy to baby.

Fish and shellfish

Learn how to introduce fish to baby and how to introduce shellfish to baby in textures and portions that work for early eaters.

Personalized guidance can make the next step clearer

If you have not started yet, are ready to begin soon, or paused because of a reaction or concern, tailored guidance can help you decide what to introduce next and how to do it in a way that feels manageable. By answering a few questions, you can get support that reflects your baby’s stage instead of sorting through one-size-fits-all advice.

What a helpful plan often includes

Baby-ready food forms

Suggestions for offering allergens in forms that are easier for babies to handle during the starting solids stage.

A one-at-a-time rhythm

A simple sequence for introducing foods so it is easier to keep track of what your baby has already tried.

Next-step clarity

Support for deciding whether to start, continue, or revisit allergen introduction based on where you are right now.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I introduce common allergens to my baby?

Many families introduce common allergens during the starting solids period, once baby is developmentally ready for solids. The right timing depends on your baby’s stage, feeding progress, and any individual concerns. Personalized guidance can help you decide what makes sense for your next step.

What is the best way to introduce peanut to baby?

Peanut should be offered in a baby-safe form, such as a smooth preparation mixed into another food, not as whole peanuts or thick spoonfuls of peanut butter. A gradual, age-appropriate approach can help parents feel more confident when offering it for the first time.

How do I introduce eggs, dairy, wheat, and soy to my baby?

These foods are typically introduced in baby-friendly textures and simple portions that fit the starting solids stage. Many parents find it helpful to introduce one new allergen at a time and keep a basic record of what has been offered.

How do I introduce tree nuts, fish, and shellfish to my baby?

Tree nuts should be offered in safe forms such as finely ground or smooth preparations rather than whole nuts. Fish and shellfish should also be prepared in textures appropriate for babies. The goal is to match the food form to your baby’s eating skills and current stage.

Do I need an allergen introduction schedule for babies?

A schedule can be helpful if you want a simple way to stay organized and remember what you have already introduced. It does not need to be complicated. Many parents do best with a flexible plan that fits normal family meals and their baby’s pace.

Get personalized guidance for introducing common allergens

Answer a few questions to get a clearer plan for when to start, which allergen to introduce next, and how to move forward with more confidence.

Answer a Few Questions

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