Reducing Allergy Risk in Early Life

·        Exclusive breastfeeding or breast milk substitutes for the first 6 months of life.

·        Introduce iron-fortified rice (single grain) infant cereal as the first solid food, at 6 months. (Barley and oatmeal are also good choices.)

·        Offer new foods one at a time at intervals of no less than 3 to 5 days apart.

·        Hold off on mixed foods until each individual ingredient is known to be well tolerated.

·        Wait until 7 to 9 months to introduce infant cereals containing wheat or corn.

·        Delay the introduction of cow or goat’s milk until 9 to 12 months.

·        Hold off on potentially allergenic foods like chocolate, orange juice, egg whites, peanut butter, shellfish and soy products (e.g. tofu), until one year of age.