Food reactions and allergies

4 min read

Most babies eat new foods without any problem. A few react, and it helps to know what to look for. Serious signs usually appear within minutes to a couple of hours: hives or welts, swelling of the lips, face or eyes, repeated vomiting, coughing or wheezing, difficulty breathing, or your baby turning pale, floppy or unusually sleepy.

If you see swelling, trouble breathing or a floppy baby, call your emergency number right away. Do not wait to see if it settles. For milder signs such as a small rash after a new food or a tummy upset, stop offering that food and speak to your pediatrician before trying it again.

A red patch around the mouth after tomato, citrus, strawberry or pineapple is usually irritation from the acid, not an allergy. Poop can also change color and show pieces of food. These are normal.

Some reactions come later: repeated vomiting one to four hours after a meal, or blood or mucus in the poop, can point to a food protein reaction and need a doctor. Introduce new foods one at a time and earlier in the day, so you can watch. Munchlet is a guide, not medical care.