Prevent food allergies in your baby

Current research points to a few specific habits that can positively reduce your baby's odds of developing food allergies.

• Breastfeeding exclusively for the first six months has been reported as one of the best ways to detour food allergies.
• If you or your baby's father has a specific food allergy then avoiding that food item during pregnancy and while nursing is recommended.
• Once your baby starts solid foods, be sure to introduce them separately at first. For example, give your baby only carrots, then watch for a reaction. If you mix say, carrots and apples, and a reaction happens, you won't know which food caused it.
• Cows milk shouldn't be given to your baby before the age of one year.
• Eggs should be avoided until age two.
• Nuts and fish (or other seafood) should be avoided until age three.

The above are guidelines only, and you need to discuss food allergies with your baby's doctor to be sure all the bases are covered. Also, if someone accidentally gives your baby an egg when he's 14 months old, don't panic. While food allergies can be dangerous, and research shows that they're now more common among children, they're also fairly rare at a dangerous level. Just keep an eye on your baby and watch for signs of an allergic reaction.