Over the last 13 years so much has changed. Back in 2000, the AAP recommended that children not start milk or dairy until age 1, eggs until 2, and things like peanut butter and fish shouldn't be started until age 3 or later in the hopes of decreasing food allergy. Boy how times have changed.
Over the intervening years, food allergies in children have risen and we've also had the benefit of a ton of research which, in the end, has resulted in an almost complete reversal of the above recommendations. Both clinical experience and research has borne out that delaying highly allergenic foods actually increases the risk of food allergy it seems for most children. As a result, the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology came out this week with new recommendations that two highly allergenic foods, peanut butter and fish, be given between 4 and 6 months of age to decrease the chance of food allergy. By introducing these foods early and often, you build tolerance and familiarity which helps minimize risk of allergy.
It can be challenging as a parent when you go online or look in books to get guidance about introducing solids. Many sources still suggest waiting until 6 months for any foods while others suggests delaying all allergenic foods until a year of age at least. This advice is no longer up to date and may indeed be increasing the risk of food allergies.
The tide is changing when it comes to feeding infants. Starting early, giving a broad variety of foods and not avoiding allergenic foods is the new norm. It’s actually a return to old school….my baby book shows me eating cottage cheese at about 2 months old! (Well maybe we shouldn't go quite back to that.)
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