Get clear, evidence-based guidance on when to introduce common allergens to baby, how to do it safely, and what to offer first for foods like peanut, egg, dairy, wheat, soy, tree nuts, fish, and shellfish.
Tell us where you are in the process, and we’ll help you understand the next safe, practical step for introducing common allergens to your baby with more confidence.
Many parents want to know the right time to start allergen foods and the safest way to begin. In general, common allergens are introduced once baby is developmentally ready for solids and already doing well with a few starter foods. Offering allergens early and one at a time can help make the process more manageable. This page is designed to help you think through timing, food form, and pacing so you can introduce allergens with a clear plan.
If your baby is sitting with support, showing interest in food, and swallowing purees or soft foods well, you may be ready to begin introducing common allergens.
Introduce a single allergen food in an age-appropriate form so it is easier to notice how your baby responds before moving on to the next one.
Begin with a small amount, then gradually increase if your baby does well. Repeating tolerated foods regularly can help keep allergen foods familiar.
Peanut butter should be thinned to a texture that is safe for babies, such as mixing a small amount into yogurt, oatmeal, or warm water. Avoid thick spoonfuls.
Offer well-cooked egg in a soft, easy-to-eat form, such as mashed hard-boiled egg mixed into another food or small pieces of fully cooked scrambled egg.
These foods can also be introduced in baby-safe forms, such as yogurt for dairy, soft wheat cereal, tofu for soy, smooth nut butters thinned into foods, and fully cooked fish or shellfish prepared in tiny, manageable pieces.
Pick times when your baby is healthy and you are able to observe them afterward, rather than introducing a new allergen during travel, illness, or a rushed evening.
Many parents feel more confident introducing one new allergen, then waiting before adding another. A simple rhythm can make the process easier to track.
If your baby had a possible reaction, has severe eczema, or you are unsure how to proceed, personalized guidance can help you decide what to introduce next and when.
Common allergens are usually introduced after your baby has started solids successfully and is developmentally ready to eat. Many families begin once baby is tolerating a few simple foods well and can handle age-appropriate textures.
Use peanut in a thin, baby-safe form. You can mix a small amount of smooth peanut butter into yogurt, oatmeal, or warm water until it is not thick or sticky. Avoid giving thick globs from a spoon.
Offer fully cooked egg in a soft texture your baby can manage. Start with a small amount and watch how your baby does before offering more. Avoid undercooked egg.
These foods are often introduced during the solids journey in baby-safe forms. The key is choosing an appropriate texture, introducing one allergen at a time, and keeping the process simple and consistent.
If you noticed symptoms that concerned you, it is reasonable to pause and get guidance before continuing. A personalized assessment can help you organize what happened and understand the next step to discuss with your child’s clinician.
Answer a few questions to receive personalized guidance based on your baby’s stage, the allergens you have already introduced, and any concerns about starting or restarting safely.
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