How to feed a 6-month-old baby with allergies?

When introducing solids to a 6-month-old baby with allergy risks, the transition must be careful and systematic. General principles are:

Basic rule: Try each new food alone, once daily, in the morning. Offer the same food for 3-5 days as the only new food and watch for reactions. If no reaction, move on to the next food.

First choices:

• Vegetables: Zucchini, sweet potato, carrot, squash (well-washed, no skin, steamed and pureed)
• Fruits: Pear, apple (peeled, steamed and pureed), very ripe banana (mashed)
• Grains: Rice flour, oat flour (lower on the allergen list)

Foods requiring special caution (high allergen risk):

• Cow's milk
• Eggs (especially the white)
• Peanuts, tree nuts, sesame
• Fish and shellfish
• Wheat
• Sesame
• Soy

Save these for last and start with very small amounts (about a teaspoon) the first time.

Allergy signs to watch for after introduction:

• Immediate: swelling of lips/tongue, hives, wheezing, vomiting → emergency
• Delayed: worsening eczema, diarrhea, bloody/mucous stools, stomach pain, poor weight gain

Important: Before starting solids in an allergic baby, always see a pediatric allergist. Your doctor may suggest a home challenge protocol or in-hospital supervised introduction. Every baby's allergy profile is different — don't proceed with general information alone.