The transition from baby formula/breastmilk to solid food can be hard enough for parents without spiraling through fears of potential allergens and reactions. But with 85 million Americans affected by food allergies and intolerances, including 32 million who have a potentially life-threatening conditions, parents have a genuine reason for being extra concerned when it comes to how to best introduce potential food allergens into baby’s diet. Especially parents of Hispanic children, since it is well known that they tend to suffer more from food allergy reactions than non-Hispanic children.

Since it’s Food Allergy Awareness Week, we’re sharing a few quick tips from Gerber to help parents when introducing potential allergens.

1. Check with the experts: Always consult your pediatrician before introducing new foods, especially common allergens such as peanuts, tree nuts, milk, egg, wheat, soy, fish, shellfish and now sesame too. Sesame was recently included on this list via the new FASTER act signed into law by President Biden on April 23.

2. Peanuts and eggs should come first: The new 2020 – 2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans say parents should proactively include peanut and egg in infant diets after starting solids, as research shows that eating baby safe forms of these potential allergens may help reduce the risk of developing an allergy later on.

o   Gerber’s Baby Pops Peanut, a puffed corn and oat snack that offers peanut in a developmentally appropriate form for babies 8 months and older, is a fun snack to help include peanut in the diet.

o   Gerber’s Banana Apple Blueberry Whipped Melts with Vitamin C are simply made with only 7 ingredients – banana puree, apple puree, blueberry puree, tapioca starch, dried egg whites, lemon juice concentrate, and vitamin c – it’s a product that’s 95% real fruit whipped with real egg whites, making them a good snack incorporating egg for babies 10 months and older. They are dairy-free, gluten-free, have no artificial flavors or added sweeteners, and are non-GMO.

3. Make the experience stress free, for parents and baby: Try foods most likely to cause a reaction at home for the first few times you offer it, rather than at a daycare or restaurant. Pick a time when your baby is feeling well, and you are able to devote your full attention for at least two hours so that you can watch for an allergic reaction.