As an overly-neurotic first-time mom, I do tons of research before deciding to do anything. I researched car seats, strollers, cribs, diapers, diaper cream, bottles, toys... everything before putting it on my registry. When we started solid foods, I made my own and researched recipes, food suggestions, puree combinations, and checked the sugar content on every package of baby snack. When it came to food allergies, I made no exception. I have read almost everywhere that things like egg white, honey**, cow's milk** and peanuts are bad before the first birthday. But I wanted to know why, so I decided to research (in this case, Google). I read the articles that talked about how delaying the introduction of potential allergens before the first birthday seemed to reduce the chances of a child developing an allergy.
But then I came across various studies that stated that the first birthday rule was originally a recommendation for children with family histories of allergies. Then I came across more studies that seemed to suggest that delaying the introduction of things like eggs may make children more likely to develop an allergy and that starting out with small amounts early may actually help build a tolerance. There seemed to be two completely contradictory sets of advice (which, for parents, isn't really a new phenomenon). So, I had to make a decision.
After thinking about it for a while, I decided that if a person is born with an allergy, then he or she will probably be allergic whether you delay introducing a food or not. We have no family history of food allergies (except for my bizarre raw onion allergy), so it isn't a huge concern. So, I introduced Nicholas to boiled eggs (not such a fan) and (non-hydrogenated)peanut butter on toast (he ate an entire piece!!) on two separate days. No allergy. But I do have an official peanut butter lover in my house. It is his very favorite lunch item.
**I do want to point out that I will not be giving him honey (infant botulism risk) or cow's milk (no nutritional value until he is weaned from formula) until after the first birthday. Nor am I recommending everyone ignore the main-stream advice and give their children potential allergens, especially if there is a family history, without consulting a pediatrician. I am merely sharing what I have read and done based on my own personal experience
