How to Prevent Food Allergies in Babies
- 1). Keep breastfeeding. Babies who are fed formula are more likely to develop allergies than breastfed babies. This is due to the fact that allergies to cow's milk are relatively common. Try to breastfeed for the first year of your baby's life. The later you introduce cow's milk into your baby's diet, the better.
- 2). Hold off on solid foods. Many doctors believe that the later babies are exposed to foods, the less likely it is for an allergic reaction to develop. It may be best to hold off until your baby is at least 6 months old, especially in a family with a history of allergies.
- 3). Introduce new foods gradually. It is important to introduce foods one at a time to your baby. This is particularly true if you or your spouse has food allergies. When you introduce a new food, give it to your baby every day for a week before introducing the next new food.
- 4). Give your baby foods that are less likely to cause allergies. Rice cereal is typically recommended as the first food to give to your baby because it rarely causes allergies. Oats and barley are usually given before wheat and corn.
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