Baby's First Bites: A Guide to Food Allergens, Introductions, and Allergy-Aware Recipes

Weaning is an exciting part of your little one’s development! They will now get to taste all the great flavours food has to offer. However, we understand that this can be a daunting new adventure for parents. With approximately one in twelve children suffering from a food allergy, many parents begin to wonder ‘What do I do if my baby has a food allergy?’

Luckily, we have compiled a list of the most common food allergens. Read on to discover what these foods are and how you can introduce these foods to your child. There is even a scrummy allergy-aware carrot cake porridge recipe. Enjoy!

Before your child’s weaning journey begins, there are several foods that you need to be aware of. These food allergens are responsible for the most serious allergic reactions:

1. Dairy/Cow’s Milk
2. Eggs
3. Peanuts
4. Tree nuts
5. Sesame
6. Wheat
7. Soy
8. Fish
9. Shellfish

If you wish to include these foods in your child’s diet, these foods should be introduced with caution. If you do not wish to include them in your little one’s weaning journey, these foods can be avoided or introduced at a later stage.

Allergic reactions occur when the body’s immune system reacts to produce antibodies to certain proteins that are present in food or in the atmosphere. When giving your baby a common food allergen for the first time, try to do so at home and early on in the day. Make sure to give only one allergen, in a very small amount, at a time.

Start with a small amount of the allergen and increase it gradually. Continue to offer the allergen 2-3 times per week for several months. It is key to pair it with foods your baby has accepted and eaten numerous times before. It is important to check your baby’s skin throughout the day to make sure there are no hives or rashes. It is also important to check for any vomiting, diarrhoea or swelling of the tongue or lips.

If your baby already has been diagnosed with an allergy, or if there is a family history of allergies, you may have to be more cautious when introducing new foods. The NHS recommends talking to your GP or health visitor before introducing these foods.

According to weaning expert Zenia Deogan, “Carrots are a wonderful source of Vitamin A required for baby’s healthy vision. Oats will promote a feeling of satiety (fullness) and a healthy appetite.”

That’s why this allergy-aware ‘Carrot Cake’ Porridge is the perfect weaning recipe for your little one and it can be made in only half an hour using the Baby Brezza Food Maker Deluxe! If your little one likes the taste of this allergy-aware recipe, you can find more in the Baby Brezza Essential Guide to Weaning which comes for free with the Baby Brezza Food Maker Deluxe.

What you’ll need:

• 1 small carrot, peeled & grated
• 1 small red apple, peeled, cored & grated
• 2 tablespoons oats
• 50ml milk or water
• 1 tablespoon raisins

Trying sweet spices? Add ¼ teaspoon nutmeg powder and ¼ teaspoon cinnamon powder to this recipe to enhance the flavour for your little one.

How to make the ‘Carrot Cake’ Porridge

1. Place the carrot, apple, and raisins into the Baby Brezza Food Maker Deluxe and “Steam” for 15 minutes.
2. Whilst the Baby Brezza Food Maker Deluxe is steaming these ingredients, soak the oats in 50ml milk or water for 15 minutes.
3. Add the oats, and “Steam” the mixture in the Baby Brezza Food Maker Deluxe for a further 5 minutes.
4. Finally, “Blend” until required consistency is achieved.