• Skip to content
  • Skip to secondary menu
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Home
  • Shop ModernMom
  • Become An Insider

ModernMom

The premiere destination for moms

  • Parenting
    • Pregnancy
    • Baby
    • Kids
    • Tweens and Teens
    • ModernMom Monday Videos
  • Cooking
  • Living Healthy
    • Breast Cancer
    • Health & Fitness
    • Body after Baby
    • Beauty
    • Relationships
    • Love
  • Lifestyle
    • Crafts
    • At Home
    • Education
    • Travel
    • Pets
    • Decorate
    • Money
    • Brooke Burke
  • Celebrate
    • Holidays
      • Easter
      • Valentine’s Day
      • New Year’s
      • Christmas
      • Hanukah
      • Halloween
      • Thanksgiving
    • Birthdays
    • Parties
  • Must Have
  • Contests
  • Entertainment

Allergy vs. Intolerance: Do You Know The Difference?

July 19, 2010 by TinaRuggiero Leave a Comment

Weaning is an exciting milestone for parents, but so many things in an infant’s new world can trigger a reaction.  Unfortunately, worried moms and dads instantly label outbreaks as “allergic” reactions, and the problem is not correctly diagnosed.While there’s no doubt children can be allergic to certain foods, the incidence is only about 8%, according to a new report commissioned by the federal government, led by Dr. Marc Riedl, an allergist and immunologist at the University of California, Los Angeles, and published in the Journal of the American Medical Association.Contrary to this scientific finding, it appears as though food allergies are on the rise; you can’t go anywhere without hearing or reading about the topic.  So, why this disconnect?  The problem stems from confusion over what a food allergy is and what food intolerance is.  According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), food allergies set the immune system into action, and food intolerances generally do not.  A good example of this is wine.  Have you ever had a glass of red wine then later got a headache from it?  That’s because you’re intolerant to the sulfites in wine; you’re not allergic to them.

The best approach to take when introducing infants to new foods is to do so one at a time, keeping in mind that allergic reactions might not happen right away.  Feed your baby one food for a day or two, and if he tolerates the food well, introduce another.  This way, if there is a reaction, you’ll know which food caused the problem.Major symptoms of food allergies include diarrhea, skin rashes, hives, vomiting, difficulty breathing and a runny nose and watery eyes.  If your baby shows any of these signs, call your pediatrician immediately, and don’t offer that food again until your doctor has made a diagnosis.Symptoms of food intolerance include diarrhea, bloating and gas.  Should your child show these sign after eating a new food, immediately stop offering the food.  Once you are assured it is intolerance and not an allergy (by checking with your pediatrician), try introducing the food a month or two later.  If the intolerance recurs, it would be wise to wait until your baby turns one year old before feeding that food again.

To keep negative food reactions to a minimum, the following should not be offered to your infant until she is 12 months old:

    •  Nuts, peanut butter and any food containing peanuts

    •  Cow’s milk

    •  Egg whites

    •  Citrus fruit and juice (i.e., orange, lime, grapefruit, lemon)

    •  Strawberries

    •  Garlic

    •  Shellfish

    •  Honey

    •  Wheat and wheat products (If there is no known wheat allergies in the family, these products can be introduced at nine months of age.)

    •  Soy and soy products (If there is no known wheat allergies in the family, these products can be introduced at nine months of age.)

Keep in mind, if your baby has an initial allergic reaction to a new food, it may go away in time. Talk to your pediatrician or a pediatric Registered Dietitian about any food allergy symptoms you observe.

Once your baby’s specific allergies or intolerances are identified, your pediatrician can give you an action plan for safely managing feeding time without compromising proper nutrition.

Comments

comments

Filed Under: Uncategorized

About TinaRuggiero

Tina Ruggiero, MS, RD, LD is a sought-after nutritionist, spokesperson and author. Fondly called The Gourmet Nutritionist, Tina is heard on TV, radio and her writing has appeared in magazines such as Family, Mens Health, and First for Women. She is also a nutrition correspondent for NBC's syndicated television show Daytime where she is seen regularly by millions of viewers around the nation. Her blog www.voiceofreason.net is often sited in magazines, newspapers and on the Internet for its reliable, accurate and inspiring content. Tina's new book, The Best Homemade Baby Food on the Planet, is available now from online retailers! Just visit www.homemadebabyfood.net.

Reader Interactions

Primary Sidebar

Search

Tell a friend

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

ModernMom TV

Featured

10 Things Nobody Will Tell You About Having A Baby

After reading "20 Things I Wish I Knew Before I Had Kids," I … [Read More...] about 10 Things Nobody Will Tell You About Having A Baby

Must Have

STEM-related Toys to Include in Your Child’s Easter Basket This Year 

April has arrived which means it’s time to pull out the food … [Read More...] about STEM-related Toys to Include in Your Child’s Easter Basket This Year 

Did you know?

Quick Ways to Cook a Round Steak

Quick Ways to Cook a Round Steak

I Bought Smoked Pork Chops & Don't Know How to Cook Them

I Bought Smoked Pork Chops & Don’t Know How to Cook Them

Can Self Rising Flour Substitute for Baking Soda?

How to Even Out a Spray Tan That Left White Spots

How to Even Out a Spray Tan That Left White Spots

Upper Abdominal Pain in Pregnancy

Upper Abdominal Pain in Pregnancy

What Does It Mean When Your Partner Curses at You?

What Does It Mean When Your Partner Curses at You?

How Soon After a C-Section Can I Get Pregnant Again?

Signs of PMS or Pregnancy

How to Detect a Miscarriage

When Should You Give a Pacifier to a Baby

When Should You Give a Pacifier to a Baby?

Footer

  • About Us
  • Contact ModernMom
  • Advertise With Us
  • Press
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Contributors

Copyright © 2023 Modern Mom. All Rights Reserved.

Reproduction of any portion of this website only at the express permission of Mom, Inc.

The information provided on ModernMom is for educational use only. It should not be used as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.