An Introduction To Baby Food Allergy Symptoms

Baby Food Allergy Symptoms seem to be an important discussion point. At any social gathering someone will tell you that they can't eat gluten dairy products, nuts, additives or a whole list of other things.  Not that these may not be genuine problems.  And of course, with their less developed immune and digestive systems, it may be that babies suffer too.

Is It Really An Allergy?

But how do you tell if your baby really has an allergy or is just hot, teething or generally grumpy?

A food allergy is an adverse reaction of the body's immune system to a food which is normally harmless to the majority of people. It can result in a reaction just minutes or even seconds after eating the offending food.

The symptoms can be slight and rare or they can be more serious, occasionally and even life-threatening.

Baby food allergy symptoms can include rashes, itching, sneezing, swollen tongue or lips, coughing, attempts to vomit and difficulty in breathing. Sometime it is difficult to tell if the problem is caused by something your baby ate... or whether your baby is snuffling because he has a cold or any other problem.

Start by asking yourself 'How long has it lasted?'

Colds will usually right themselves after about a week. Symptoms lasting longer should be further investigated or discussed with your doctor.

How to Tell If It's A Food Intolerance

A food intolerance on the other hand, such as an inability to deal with gluten, develops over time and so it may be more difficult to analyze which item is causing the problem. Because it is the digestive system is involved symptoms center on the gut - so there may be bloating, vomiting, diarrhea and your child may have a sore tummy.

It is a good rule not to introduce your baby to more than one food every few days. As well as making it easier to recognize a true allergy it gives the baby time to get used to a taste and you can judge as to whether there really is a problem or whether it is just a case of a new taste not yet appreciated.

We sometimes as adults have to try a new food several times before we come to appreciate it and babies are no different.

Food More Likely To Cause Baby Food Allergy Symptoms

Certain foods are more likely to cause problems than others. Nuts, shellfish, eggs, milk and other dairy products, soy products and cereals that contain gluten, especially wheat. Some doctors believe that nuts should not be given before three years of age and that wheat products should be avoided until after 6 months of age.

However many commercial baby foods contain wheat, though it may be under names such as starch and farina.

Severe symptoms must of course be referred to a doctor who can take tests as well as treat the symptoms.

Most people grow out of infant allergies over time as their immune system and their body generally matures. Meanwhile relax. There are plenty of other foods your baby will thrive upon.

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