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Baby Food Allergy Checker
Check which common allergens to introduce and when. Learn the safe introduction timeline for the top 9 food allergens.
Based on AAP & NIAID guidelines · Last updated October 2026 · Read our medical disclaimer
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Top 9 Food Allergens — Introduction Guide
Current guidelines (AAP, NIAID) recommend early introduction of allergens to reduce allergy risk. Waiting does NOT protect against allergies.
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Peanut — 6+ months (with pediatrician guidance if high risk)
Peanut butter thinned with breast milk/formula, or peanut puffs (not whole peanuts — choking hazard)
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Egg — 6+ months
Well-cooked scrambled eggs or hard-boiled (no runny yolk under 12 months)
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Cow's Milk — 6+ months in food (as drink: 12+ months)
Yogurt, cheese, milk in oatmeal. Not as a main drink until age 1.
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Wheat — 6+ months
Baby cereals, soft bread pieces, wheat-containing purees
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Fish — 6+ months
Soft, well-cooked low-mercury fish (salmon, tilapia). Avoid shark, swordfish, king mackerel.
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Shellfish — 6+ months
Well-cooked shrimp, crab — always watch closely for reactions
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Tree Nuts — 6+ months
Nut butters thinned to smooth paste. Never whole nuts (choking hazard under 4 years).
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Soy — 6+ months
Tofu, edamame, soy milk mixed in food. Soy formula before 6 months if medically needed.
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Sesame — 6+ months
Tahini (sesame paste), sesame in foods. Now recognized as the 9th major allergen in the USA.
Signs of Allergic Reaction in Babies
⚠️ Mild Reactions
• Rash or hives around mouth
• Mild skin redness
• Runny nose
• Watery eyes
• Mild fussiness after eating
Call your doctor — avoid the food until cleared.
🚨 Emergency — Call 911
• Difficulty breathing / wheezing
• Swelling of lips, tongue, or throat
• Vomiting + rash together
• Pale or blue skin color
• Sudden extreme sleepiness
These are anaphylaxis signs — seek emergency care immediately.
Safe Introduction Rule: Introduce one new allergen at a time. Wait 3–5 days before introducing another. Do it at home (not daycare), at a time of day when you can observe for 2 hours. If your baby has eczema or a known egg allergy, consult your pediatrician before introducing peanuts.
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See All Tools →❓ Frequently Asked Questions
When should I introduce common allergens to my baby?
Current guidance favors introducing common allergens (like peanut, egg, and dairy) early, around 6 months alongside other first foods, rather than delaying them as was once recommended.
What are the most common food allergens for babies?
The most common are peanuts, tree nuts, egg, cow's milk, soy, wheat, fish, and shellfish — these account for the large majority of childhood food allergies.
What does an allergic reaction in a baby look like?
Signs can include hives, swelling (especially around the face/lips), vomiting, or in rare severe cases, difficulty breathing. Any breathing difficulty is a medical emergency — call emergency services immediately.
Should allergens be introduced one at a time?
Yes — introducing one new potential allergen at a time, then waiting a few days before the next, makes it much easier to identify the specific cause if a reaction does occur.
Does a family history of allergies change the approach?
It can — babies with a parent or sibling with allergies, or with moderate-to-severe eczema themselves, are considered higher risk, and many pediatricians recommend discussing allergen introduction timing with a doctor first in these cases.
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Baby Food Allergy Checker — Results
Always introduce one allergen at a time and consult your pediatrician with concerns. Generated by babyaalam.com/tools/baby-food-allergy-checker/