Early Introduction of Foods and Allergy Prevention
Did you know? Introducing allergenic foods during infancy may help reduce the risk of developing food allergies.
What the evidence shows
- Early introduction of common allergenic foods such as peanut, egg, dairy, wheat, soy, fish and sesame during the first year of life may help reduce allergy risk.
- The landmark LEAP study found that early and regular peanut introduction reduced the risk of peanut allergy by approximately 80% in high-risk infants.
- NIAID and AAP guidelines support the early introduction of peanut-containing foods, particularly for infants at increased risk.
How Does It Work?
The immune system learns what is safe through exposure. When babies eat allergenic foods early and regularly, their immune system is more likely to develop tolerance to these foods instead of recognising them as harmful.
In simple terms:
- Early and regular exposure helps teach the immune system that a food is safe.
- Avoiding allergenic foods for long periods may increase the likelihood that the immune system will react to them later.
Some evidence also suggests that some babies, particularly those with eczema, may become sensitised to foods through their skin before they eat them. Introducing allergenic foods by mouth early may help prevent this process and promote tolerance.
Practical Tips for Parents
- Introduce one new allergenic food at a time.
- Offer foods in age-appropriate forms and avoid choking hazards such as whole nuts.
- Continue offering tolerated foods regularly.
- Seek medical advice before introduction if your baby has severe eczema or a known food allergy.
Key Message
Early, safe, and regular introduction of allergenic foods is now considered an important strategy in helping to prevent food allergies.
References
1. NIAID Addendum Guidelines for the Prevention of Peanut Allergy in the United States (2017).
2. American Academy of Pediatrics. Updates in Food Allergy Prevention in Children (2023).
3. HealthyChildren.org (AAP). Early Introduction of Peanut-based Foods to Prevent Allergies.
4. Food Allergy Research & Education (FARE). Early Introduction and Food Allergy Prevention.