With Angela from Baby Smash Cakes – your allergy friendly cake baker in Gledswood Hills.
Allergies – the what, the how and the when…
Have you ever wondered what happens inside the body that leads to the development of allergies?
Perhaps you’re worried that your little one might have allergies, leading to anxiety about introducing new
foods to them? Read on to learn more about potential causes, how to introduce allergens to little
ones, and what to do if you have an allergy or become an allergy parent.
What are allergies and how does one get them?
Although the cause of food allergies is unknown, factors such as genetics and environment can play
a part. If a close member of the family has an allergy (not just food allergies, but eczema, asthma or
hay fever as well), one is more likely to develop a food allergy. This risk is higher if both parents of a child
have allergies. According to Allergy and Anaphylaxis Australia, there is a 30% chance a child will
develop an allergy disease (food or non-food) if one or both parents suffer from allergies.
Environmental factors play a role too, with lifestyle, hygiene and diet contributing to the rise of
allergies. This includes, but is not limited to, delayed exposure to allergens and exposure to food
allergens through skin (such as through creams). It is important to note that food allergies still occur
in those who have no history of allergies in the family or known environmental causes.
Having allergies does not mean missing out. There are plenty of products on the market that allow
those with allergies to enjoy wholesome foods experiences.
How do I introduce allergens to my little one?
Current advice from Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy (ASCIA) is to introduce
common allergy causing foods into a baby’s diet between 6 and 12 months of age. It is advisable that
expose be frequent and ongoing. Common allergy causing foods are peanuts, tree nuts, cow’s milk,
egg, wheat, sesame, fish, shellfish and soy. Breastfeeding mothers can also introduce these allergens
through consumption that is passed through breastmilk. Does this mean it’s recommended to give a
6 month old whole peanuts and say, “Have at it!” – absolutely not!
Each allergen should first be introduced separately, with a few days break between each. After
introducing all the allergens, it’s important to maintain that consumption. Below are some ways you
can maintain allergens in baby’s diet:
Mixing peanut butter or tahini and yoghurt (peanut, sesame and cow’s milk)
Homemade banana pancakes (wheat and egg)
Smoothies (cow’s milk, sesame, tree nuts, peanuts)
Homemade cod patties (fish, wheat, egg and cow’s milk) – recipe provided
Remember, the key to recognising allergies is to introduce each allergen separately. For example,
introducing yoghurt, then watered down peanut butter, before mixing the two. This will allow you to
recognise if one, or both ingredients, are possible allergens.
What do I do if my baby does have an allergic reaction?
Allergic reactions usually occur within minutes of ingestion, but can take up to two hours. It is
recommended that you keep a diary or tracker when first introducing common allergy causing foods,
and spacing them out across several days. Possible symptoms that can indicate an allergic reaction
include hives, welts, wheezes, tingling around the mouth, stomach pain, vomiting and diarrhoea.
More commonly in babies, you may see a varietry of symptoms that indicate a mild reaction to
anaphylaxis: a rash, itchiness or swelling in hands, feet or face, slow and laboured breathing,
difficulty swallowing and breathing causing excess drooling, change in voice or cry, wheeze or
persistent cough, or pale and floppy.
If you suspect your baby is having a severe reaction, always dial 000 and ask for an ambulance. If you
suspect that your baby or child has an allergy to food, seek medical advice. Your doctor or
paediatrician can refer you to an allergy specialist who is qualified to run tests and determine which,
if any, allergies are present.
Do you have questions?
Nip Allergies in the Bub is a great online resource to help you introduce allergens to your babies.
With information about signs and symptoms, as well as educational resources, it’s a great place to
start when considering allergy causing food introduction.
About the Author
Ange is a self-taught baker, a primary teacher and a mother who founded her business baby, Baby
Smash Cakes by Ange, in 2021. She is an allergy friendly baker offering parents and their little one’s
peace of mind when organising birthdays and events. Catering for those with allergies to wheat,
dairy, nuts, egg and soy, now you can have your cake and eat it too!
Whether you need the perfect allergy friendly cakes for your kids next party desserts or just because Visit Baby Smash Cakes By Ange https://camdenmumshub.com.au/baby-smash-cakes-by-ange-allergy-friendly-baker/
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