Food Allergies

[ChocolateMouse]

Hi there,

I'm a bit confused about what foods you need to be really careful not to give babies/children. I understand about not giving nuts/peanuts until the age of 5 years but I have since heard that you shouldn't give honey or strawberries to young babies before the age of 5 years too. Can I not give mashed strawbs to my LO when I wean him? Has anyone else heard about avoiding these foods too?

Thanks

[solo]

Honey shouldn't be given ubtil 1 year as it has bacteria in it that interferes with their gut. Strawberries after a year too is ok I believe, kiwi fruit the same. Can't think of any other relevant ones atm.

[thumbwitch]

Strawberries have uite high allergenic potential so some people recommend avoiding them. Others think it's ok - if there is no history in the family, it probably is.

Honey is a different matter - spores of Clostridium botulinum, the food poisoning bug that causes botulism, can be found sometimes in honey. These can settle in babies' guts and start to grow, giving the baby botulism, which is potentially fatal.

[thumbwitch]

5 years is a bit excessive in any case. As solo said, after 1 year should be ok.

[ChocolateMouse]

Hi solo and thumbwitch - thank for your replies. Oh My Word - that sounds scary! I'll be being careful now after embarrassingly not knowing about it in the first place .

Thanks

[solo]

Who would though? I didn't. I was putting honey in my Ds's camomile tea until I told the HV and she politely informed me that I really shouldn't. Don't worry CM, you know now and can feed accordingly .

[ChocolateMouse]

Thanks solo

[thumbwitch]

tbh, the C.Borulinum thing is really rare but once it has happened, it has to be taken into account and cautioned against.
no shame in not knowing - it's not something that is flagged automatically!