How will I know if my baby is allergic to foods?

How will I know if my baby is allergic to foods?

The word on starting solids and allergies is confusing for most- parents and health professionals alike. 

We seem to be moving away from restricting traditionally allergy inducing foods such as eggs, nuts, dairy and wheat  when starting babies on solids.  It is becoming more widespread that offering babies small amounts of variety of foods is considered to be beneficial in reducing food allergy in children. For some this may be so. We have to accept that it is common for babies and children to have food intolerances and sensitivities. 

 The big question is how did this happen. 

 Of interest to note is that people living in Asia, consuming an Asian diet have very little food reactions.  When these same people adopt a western type of food diet the incidence of food reactions increase to reflect the population  they have adopted.

So what is it? 

 I don’t have the answer but I suspect it’s that we live in a toxic world.  I believe it is not only in the food we ingest but also the things in our environment. Nothing new and startling – just sensible.

Why do I think this may be happening?

 Because foods  which were considered “safe” from a  reaction point of view are not necessarily safe any longer.  We are now seeing reactions to potato and rice- once noted to be considered safe  not so long ago.

So what do I think the best way to start foods for your baby to reduce allergy is?

 I think introduce  whole foods- that is real tangible foods like fruit and vegetables that your family eats and you need to prepare yourself.  Introduce one new food for 3 times  before considering it safe and slowly increase variety in their food repertoire. 

 Where you can choose organic do so.

 For many that is cost prohibitive.  

The most important thing is to offer real foods, washed, no chemicals if possible.  When starting offer soft textures in your foods.

If a food does not agree with your baby the reactions will be one or more of  the following– unexplained and out of character constipation, skin rashes, vomiting, windy, or tummy pain.

 There is of course some other factors to consider  when starting solids.  These are my basic thoughts on food and food reactions.

For more check out my Real Foods for Healthy Babies " ebook at

http://www.insyncwithinfants.com/solids.html

5 Things to know about baby led weaning

5 Things to know about baby led weaning

Baby led weaning has become a hot topic in recent years. 

 It is not a new concept  just more  known to the masses than it was. 

 By the more conservative communities it was seen as a”hippy” type way to start your baby on solids. Almost an irresponsible way just because it was a lot more relaxed with less “shoulds” and constraints on rules and guidelines to do with starting solids.

Starting solids

Starting solids is a major milestone in a parents’ development in most cases. Over the last 20 years – roughly, the epidemic of allergy, food sensitivity and food intolerance has influenced all the education, thinking and teaching to parents on starting their baby on solid foods.

With all that research, new questions arise and there are still a number of guidelines that seem worth considering in baby led weaning. 

 Here are 5  of them.

1. You must supervise your baby 100% of the time when food is involved.  When your baby is eating in the beginning particularly, he or she is learning how to manage food in their mouth.  This means co-ordinating chewing with breathing  and swallowing. Your baby is unlikely to choke on food but it is absolutely necessary to supervise for that very small risk even when taking in

consideration of  food textures.

2.  Eating is best as a sitting activity. Or at least be still such as standing still. This is another safety factor- even for adults we are at risk of choking if moving around.  Plus it is better for digestion to be sitting and to teach healthy eating habits.

3.  It is messy.  Your baby will explore the food- squash it, paint it, drop it. Your baby will eat some, particularly if sitting with the family for meals, but exploring food is part of development, learning different textures and fine motor ability. Over time your baby will eat more and play with it less.

4.  Offer  2 or 3 different foods and let your baby choose.  If you put too much in front of them it is often overwhelming.

5. Start with softer textured foods such as cooked sweet potato, banana, kiwi fruit, avocado.

There is no doubt that baby led weaning will continue to pose questions and challenges to many parents and indeed health professionals for years to come.

Whether you choose this method or the more “traditional” way of spooning foods to your baby, the choice is yours.  

As with most aspects of baby care there is not one right or wrong way.  

Enjoy the process and remember to stay relaxed around food. 

 "Your job is to offer, your baby’s job is to eat or not." 

Baby led weaning is just another option.

For more info on your baby and solids get your "Real Foods for Healthy Babies" here

http://www.insyncwithinfants.com/solids.html