Babies are sensitive and prone to allergies – particularly during their first 12 months. That’s why healthcare professionals recommend that the following highly-allergenic foods not be introduced before your baby’s first birthday.

Do not feed these foods to baby during the first 12 months

• Cow’s milk
• Milk-based cereals, instant milk-based cereals
• Milk products, ice cream
• Soy milk
• Fish
• Eggs
• Egg pasta
• Wheat bread, bread rolls, biscuits
• Wheat flakes, wheat semolina, muesli
• Citrus fruits, orange juice, exotic fruits (like pineapple or mango)
• Nuts
• Instant teas (protein based)
• Jars or other ready-meals containing many ingredients

Some tips on safely introducing foods

• Introduce foods one at a time, a week apart. This makes it easier to determine any possible reaction.
• Delay solids until five or six months of age. It is believed that the later a baby is exposed to a potential allergen, the less likely sensitization will take place.
• Keep an eye out for adverse reactions, such as looser bowel movements, gassiness, rash (including diaper rash), excessive spitting up, wheezing, or runny nose.
• Immediately stop feeding a food if your baby should develop any of the above adverse reactions
• First introduce less allergenic foods, such as baby rice cereal, barley, oats, fruits like apples and bananas. Hold off on more allergenic foods like those listed in the chart above.