How To Wean When You Are Anxious About Allergies.

Hi, I’m Katie W, Weaning Queen and founder of the Wonderful World of Weaning.

Throughout my many years as Health Visitor (family health nurse) and Specialist Children’s Nurse, I supported many babies and their families going through the weaning stage.  When I started my own family, I went through the weaning stage 3 times within 4 years. It is definitely one of my favourite stages of child development! It should be fun and exciting! However, for many Mums, it is a stressful time and a cause of great anxiety. This article will give you tips on how to wean your baby when you are anxious about allergies.

Allergies are a genuine concern. The number of cases of children hospitalised with severe allergic reactions in England increasing by 72 per cent over the last six years,(according to new NHS Digital data). It is definitely a cause for anxiety for many starting out on the weaning journey.

Many parents won’t know their child is allergic to a food item until they have a reaction. However, that doesn’t mean you can’t be prepared. 

So here are my top 5 tips for when you are about to wean your baby and are anxious about allergies: 

• Be aware of your family history. Allergies can be genetic. Knowing your family history means you can be aware of any potential high-risk food before you offer it. Then you can decide when to introduce it.
• Take a child-focused first aid course that covers anaphylaxis. Knowing what to do in case of an emergency will give you some reassurance if anything untoward arises unexpectedly. 
• Avoid introducing new foods when medical cover is at its lowest or busiest. Late in the afternoon (especially Fridays!), evenings or weekends are not a good time to try new things. Give unfamiliar foods in the mornings or early afternoon and have a contingency plan should you need it. Keep on hand emergency telephone numbers, GP, ambulance, family and friends in the event of needing them at short notice.
• Before you offer potential allergen foods, keep a food diary and stick to the same foods for a few days. This gives you a baseline for any allergic symptoms. 
• After giving a new food, keep a close eye on your baby. Reactions can develop within seconds or minutes in severe cases, up to a few hours in milder cases. Check on them regularly if they are sleeping. Ideally, have them in the same room as you, so you can cast an eye quickly. Seek medical intervention if any of the symptoms show. 

Typical symptoms of an allergic reaction include-

a rash, swelling (mainly mouth, lips, airway or eyes), red or itchy eyes, wheezing or coughing. If you are concerned at all, always see a medical professional. Even if it is just for reassurance that your baby will be ok. 

I have had a few brushes with allergies with my own children. I always keep appropriate medication in my medicine cupboard as a precaution because I don’t always have immediate medical support. If you are concerned, then chat with your GP or Paediatrician regarding the most appropriate items to keep in your medicine cupboard. You will need to know the appropriate dosages for your child and instructions. Just remember to keep all medications locked away from tiny hands! Preparation is key to reducing anxiety around allergies when you are starting to introduce solid foods to your baby.

Weaning your baby to solid foods can be taken it as fast or as slow as you feel comfortable and as your baby tolerates it. It is one of the only stages of child development you have complete control over and is easy enough to slow down when you need to.

Despite feeling anxious about allergies, weaning can still be fun!

Different coloured low-risk foods, like beetroot and broccoli, different textures like rice cakes or breakfast oats and different smells like banana or mango can all make weaning the ultimate learning experience for your baby. It’s just lessening the risk as much as you can day to day. 

There are so many alternative food options available nowadays it is much easier to avoid high-risk food groups. Also, there is much more awareness about the risk of potential allergens as well. Initiatives such as food labels, strict controls for food preparation units and greater access to healthcare have helped to reduce the risk as much as possible. Unfortunately, the risk won’t ever be eliminated. Taking the weaning process slowly and ensuring you have a contingency plan in place will all help to get you through this stage as safely as humanly possible all whilst keeping it fun and exploratory for you and your baby. 

If you need any personalised advice on how to wean your baby when you are feeling anxious about allergies, book a free 30-minute call with me via my website www.katiewormald.com. I run a free Facebook group Wonderful World of Weaning, come and join me there to meet other parenting going through the weaning stage, meal ideas, tips, advice and support. 

PLEASE NOTE: I am not a medical professional, I am a qualified paediatric nurse and specialist community public health nurse. The views in this article are strictly my own unless otherwise stated. Always seek appropriate medical advice if you are worried about your child’s medical condition.