Understanding Food Allergies in Babies

Babies experience the world mouth-first. During this exciting time when your baby is beginning, or about to begin, sampling all kinds of new foods, here’s what you should know about food allergies.

Food allergies are a reaction of the body's immune system to proteins found in food. For some children, eating certain foods causes the body to make an antibody that triggers the allergic reaction. 

According to the US Food & Drug Administration, these foods account for 90% of food-allergic reactions.  

Reactions to allergens vary from person to person and incident to incident. In some cases, exposure to an allergen can cause a serious allergic reaction, called anaphylaxis. This can happen even if a previous reaction to the same allergen was mild. Common symptoms of food allergies in babies are: 

•  Rash or hives 
•  Nausea/vomiting 
•  Stomach pain 
•  Diarrhea or blood in stools 
•  Itchy skin or eyes; runny nose  

If your baby develops a food allergy, they are not alone. Estimates are that 1 in every 13 children in the United States has a food allergy.¹ If you suspect that your baby has a food allergy, speak to your baby’s pediatrician.

While rare, breastfed infants can develop food allergies. Talk to your baby’s pediatrician if you suspect your infant has food allergies. 

Hypoallergenic formulas are formulas that have been clinically tested to virtually eliminate allergic reactions in most babies allergic to cow's milk protein.

Some hypoallergenic formulas are made with cow's milk protein that is broken down into tiny pieces to virtually eliminate allergic reactions in cow’s milk protein-allergic babies.

If your child is diagnosed with a food allergy, their doctor will likely suggest a hypoallergenic formula, such as Similac^® Alimentum^®.

Discuss with your pediatrician whether a hypoallergenic formula may be right for your baby.

 Shop now for Similac^® formula. 

The graphic below shows the differences in protein sources across Abbott’s infant formula portfolio. Speak to your baby’s doctor to find out which one is right for your baby.

See the breakdown of protein in different Similac formulas

See the breakdown of protein in different Similac formulas

There is no way to determine if a child will outgrow a food allergy. However, children are more likely to outgrow milk or egg allergies early in life.

This makes it important to have regular follow-up visits scheduled with your pediatrician to monitor your baby’s condition and provide you with the up-to-date guidance.   

Reference: 1. Facts and statistics. Food Allergy Research & Education. foodallergy.org/resources/facts-and-statistics Accessed February 16, 2022.

Sources: Food Allergies. US Food & Drug Administration. fda.gov/food/food-labeling-nutrition/food-allergies Accessed February 16, 2022.