Same Same: Family Meals with Baby

Eating solid foods is a new skill, and babies need to see how it’s done to understand what to do. Baby learns by watching you model how to enjoy a wide variety of nourishing and flavorful foods. An added incentive to share a meal together: research shows that serving even one family meal per week is protective against eating challenges later on. We encourage you to share the recipes with your baby, and get into the habit of eating together now. 

This module will continue to provide meal options to keep-up allergen exposure. Remember that consistent, regular exposure to the common allergens through age five has been shown to be the most effective at preventing food allergy. Allergists often recommend aiming for the inclusion of common allergens as often as possible but don’t stress if you can’t get each common allergen on the menu 2 or 3x a week. Even once a week can work. 

Reminder: If your baby experiences a mild allergic reaction, stop serving that allergen and contact their medical provider for guidance.  If your child is having multiple mild symptoms or a severe reaction, call 9-1-1/local emergency services immediately and request an ambulance with autoinjectable epinephrine. Do not wait.