Solid foods are normally introduced to a baby from about 4 to 6 months of age, but ideally delayed until 6 months. Learning to eat solid foods is an important developmental step for all babies.

In severely allergic babies, the introduction of solid foods may be delayed. The doctor's and/or dietitian's first priority is to get the baby as well as possible before the introduction of solid foods. This may mean that the infant can only have a hypoallergic infant formula. It is important to make sure your baby is receiving the amount of formula prescribed by the doctor and/or dietitian so baby will grow and gain weight satisfactorily.

These following three steps concentrate on those issues specifically relevant to babies with severe food allergies.

Firsth step - Thin and smooth foods

The doctor and/or dietitian will discuss the appropriate time to commence an infant with allergies to solid foods. This moment may be purposefully delayed until the child is stable and well.

1. Start with foods that are smooth in texture, lump-free and mild in taste.
   The doctor or dietitian will recommend which food/s to start with, what amount to offer and the order in which to trial new foods. First foods should be those least likely to cause an allergic reaction and therefore have the best chance of being tolerated by the infant.
2. Start with home-cooked bland foods.
   Home-cooked food is the best way of knowing and controlling the food that a child receives.
3. Foods can be cooked, puréed and placed in a container in the refrigerator for today or tomorrow.
4. Puréed foods can be placed in an ice cube container and frozen.
   1-2 cubes can then be thawed as required.
5. Some commercially prepared baby foods may be suitable for the infant with severe food allergies.
   Read the ingredients lists on all labels carefully before deciding if the product is suitable.
   Check with the doctor and/or dietitian before proceeding with commercial products.
6. Puréed foods can be moistened with a hypoallergenic infant formula or mashed with a little milk free margarine.
7. It is important to avoid flavours, artificial colours and additives, the foods most likely to cause an allergic reaction (link to the proper content) particularly in babies with an allergic history.
   Salt should not be added to foods for babies.

Introduce new foods one at a time. Offer new foods as suggested by the doctor and/or dietitian.

Once a new food has been introduced, it can be given in a variety of different combinations and recipes, provided other ingredients have been trialled.

Second step - Lumped and chunked foods

It is important to move on to lumpier textures when babies begins to chew and teeth are starting. Once a baby is able to chew, foods can be a coarser puree than before, so that your baby can develop his chewing skills.

• As your baby progresses, foods can be mashed, grated or diced
• Allow baby to start self feeding

As allergic infants are often on a limited range of solid foods, it is important to make sure the prescribed amount of hypoallergenic infant formula is given each day to ensure adequate growth.

Third step - Finger foods

Often, the usual finger foods such as rusks, bread and biscuits are not permitted in children with severe allergies. Give only those foods that contain ingredients your child tolerates. Below are some finger food ideas:

• Permitted vegetables – cut into strips and steam or microwave to soften e.g. cooked potato strips, cooked carrot sticks
• Permitted fruit – ripe, peeled and cut into strips e.g. pear, apple or melon.
• Rice shortbread
• Plain rice crackers and plain rice cakes
• Permitted meat – cooked and cut into strips e.g. home cooked roast chicken or lamb, Chicken drumettes
• Home cooked potato chips cooked in permitted oil e.g. cold pressed safflower, canola, sunflower or olive oil

With finger foods, your baby will easily learn to drink from cup and feed independently.