← Starting solids: the overview
Introducing allergens: early rather than late
Hardly any topic around starting solids has turned around as much in recent years as this one. Our parents were still told to “avoid peanut and egg for as long as possible” – today the studies say the opposite. Here is what the research really shows and how to put it into practice.
In short: introduce common allergens (egg, peanut, dairy, wheat, fish …) early – as soon as solids are under way – and then offer them regularly. Avoidance doesn't protect against allergies; early, repeated exposure can lower the risk (LEAP study, EAACI, German S3 guideline on allergy prevention). With severe eczema or known allergies: have the introduction supervised by a doctor.
What the studies show
The turning point was the LEAP study (Learning Early About Peanut, published in 2015 in the New England Journal of Medicine): high-risk babies who received peanut products early and regularly developed a peanut allergy over 80% less often than the avoidance group. The European allergy society EAACI and the German S3 guideline on allergy prevention changed their recommendations accordingly: no delay, no bans “as a precaution” – instead variety from the start of solids. Besides the early start, regularity is key: once introduced, an allergen should keep appearing on the menu so that tolerance is maintained.
The 14 major allergens – and what matters for babies
| Allergen (EU labelling) | How to introduce it safely |
|---|---|
| Egg | Hard-boiled or baked, mashed into purée – never raw or soft |
| Peanut | As peanut butter, thinly stirred into purée – never whole peanuts (choking hazard) |
| Milk | Yoghurt/quark as an ingredient, milk-and-cereal purée; cow's milk as a drink only towards the end of the 1st year |
| Cereals containing gluten (wheat, spelt, rye …) | As cereal purée or soft bread – ideally start within the solids window |
| Fish | Cooked through, puréed without bones – fish definitely belongs in first foods (omega-3 too) |
| Tree nuts (hazelnut, almond, cashew …) | Ground or as thinned nut butter |
| Soy | E.g. tofu cooked soft, puréed |
| Sesame | As tahini (sesame paste), thinly in purée |
| Celery, mustard, lupin | As a cooked ingredient or in small amounts in family meals |
| Crustaceans & molluscs | Not a must in the first year; if so, well cooked through |
| Sulphur dioxide/sulphites | Mainly in dried fruit – choose unsulphured |
In practice: how to go about it
Introduce one at a time and in the morning – then you can attribute a reaction and have the day to observe. Start small (a knife-tip of peanut butter in the purée is enough), increase if well tolerated and then offer regularly (about weekly or more often). A rigid “wait 3 days” between all new foods isn't necessary – only the potent allergens deserve a solo appearance.
Keep track – automatically
Which allergen has already been introduced? When was it last offered? That's exactly what the allergen companion in HeyFini is for: from the meals you log it works out, for all 14 major allergens, what has been introduced, what is due again and where a reaction was noted – in that case the app deliberately holds back on reminders and refers you to your paediatrician.
Download HeyFini on the App Store
Frequently asked questions
When should I introduce peanut?
As soon as solids are under way – as thinly stirred-in peanut butter. With eczema, get medical advice first. Never whole peanuts!
Does avoiding allergens protect against allergies?
No – the old advice to avoid them is outdated. Offering early and regularly is the approach recommended today.
How often does an allergen need to come back?
Regularly – roughly weekly as a rule of thumb. Long gaps after introduction are unfavourable for tolerance.
What should I do about a mild skin reaction?
Pause the food, take a photo, discuss it with your paediatrician. Don't cut it out permanently on your own – unnecessary diets harm variety.
More guides on starting solids
General guidance, not medical advice. For questions about your child, talk to your paediatrician or midwife; in an emergency call your local emergency number (112 in the EU, 999 in the UK, 911 in the US).