HealthInfo West Coast-Te Tai Poutini
Preventing food allergies
Parents may be interested in how they can prevent food allergies. The Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy (ASCIA) recommends the following:
- Breastfeed for at least six months.
- If breastfeeding isn't an option, use a standard cow's milk formula instead. Partially hydrolysed formulas (often labelled HA or hypoallergenic) don't reduce the chances of getting food allergies. If there's no family history, give a standard formula.
- Soy or milk from other animals (such as goat's milk) aren't recommended for preventing allergies.
- Solids can be introduced from 4 to 6 months of age, preferably whilst still breastfeeding.
- Introduce one food at a time every one or two days (give foods the family usually eats).
- Standard cow milk (dark blue top) isn't recommended as the main source of milk until after 12 months old.
In the first year of life, all infants should be given foods such as peanut butter, tree nuts, cooked egg, dairy, seafood and wheat products. This includes infants at high risk of allergy. This can reduce their chances of becoming allergic to these foods.
Written by HealthInfo clinical advisers. Last reviewed July 2018.
Review key: HIALC-15650
