Q: What kind of foods could cause an allergic reaction in my baby?
A: The foods that most commonly cause allergies in babies are:
- Milk and other dairy products
- Eggs (Egg yolks are typically introduced at 6 to 10 months as a good source of protein. While some babies can be allergic to egg whites, most infants can eat egg yolks)
- Wheat
- Corn
- Soy
- Citrus products, like orange and lemon juice
Raspberries, cranberries and blueberries have low allergic potential and are rarely the cause of allergy. Fresh strawberries can sometimes cause food reactions in babies. Cooked strawberries, on the other hand, usually do not. That's because heat pasteurization destroys the substance responsible for the reaction. So Beech-Nut® Stage 2® includes strawberries — pasteurized for safety and good tolerance — as one of our Stage 2 ingredients. Also note that all Beech-Nut cereals are soy free with the exception of our DHA plus+™. Babies are generally ready for Stage 2 at about 6 months of age.
Some potentially high-allergen foods that are not usually fed to babies include fish, shellfish, peanuts and tree nuts. But remember that any food can cause an allergy. Check with your doctor if your baby shows any kind of reaction when you introduce a new food.
