Food allergies are more common in young children (five percent in kids under three years of age) than in adults and identifying potential food allergies is easier if foods are introduced one at a time. Food allergies present in a variety of ways from itchy rashes, to abdominal complaints (pain, vomiting, diarrhea), to swelling of the lips or mouth, or to life threatening reactions (more common with peanut or shellfish).

Suspect food allergy with symptoms occurring within a few hours of consuming a new food. Solid foods generally are not recommended until four months of age. Cereals are usually the least allergenic food and are the first solid foods presented (rice then oat), followed by vegetables and fruits, and then meat products and soft table foods starting at about eight months of age. A general guideline is to wait about three days in between each new food and to try the new food more than once during those days.

Remember to try individual foods first before combining them. Some foods are more allergenic than others and delaying consumption of these foods in infancy and breastfeeding may help reduce the risk of food allergies. Common causes of food allergy include peanut, egg, wheat, milk products, soy, fish and shellfish. Wheat cereals and dairy products should be delayed until late infancy, and eggs usually are one of the last table foods introduced with the yolks being tried first because they are less allergenic than the whites. Peanut products, egg whites, and fish should be delayed until after the first year of life or longer. Remember peanuts are a choking hazard and should not be given to young children. For infants with strong family or personal history of allergic disease, consider delaying solids until six months of age and delaying the allergenic foods above until after one year of age and peanut products or fish until after two years of age. If you suspect your child has a food allergy, avoid that food until discussing it with your pediatrician.