Aaaghh...getting excited about BLW, but now got to factor in In-Laws' various allergies!! Help please...

[MrsHarry]

Okay, DD is 5 mth+, and I'm returning to work fulltime in Jan so have started thinking about weaning next month.
Have only just found about BLW (thanks again MN!)and am thinking great idea, HURRAH, don't need to puree and freeze after all.
BUT.... DH has chronic hayfever, MIL has gluten intolerance, various members of DH's family have eczema and have just found that his sister and her daughter have nut allergies. GREAT!!
So any advice on what foods I should be avoiding at 6 months and when (if) I can introduce things. Some obvious like peanut butter but anything else I should be thinking of?? I know a lot of this will be common sense but I feel a bit 'woolly' about it all IYKWIM!!

IIRC it is only the immediate family (i.e. you and your partner and other chuldren) whose allergies you have t take inot consideration.
My sister has quite a serious nut allergy but I was told that it wouldn't mean my children had any more chance of being allergic.

I may be completely wrong on this of course (!)

You only need to worry about 1st degree relatives eg you,your partner and any other kids- I'd always be cautious with nuts,cows milk and wheat - introducing one at a time and making sure there's no issues, but don't get paranoid

There is a schedule for weaning allergicky children on Aitch's site iirc, so if you do want to take these things into account, then take a look there.

here is is although it's pretty hard-core. why don't you ask the clever ladies on the allergies board as well?

here's another essay although you'd be better waiting til 6 months.

Thanks for that. I did wonder how much the 'indirect' rels' allergies could have an effect but because DH has hayfever it made me think he's got the family's allergy tendency which could be passed on to DD, whatever the actual allergy is.

I will pop onto the allergies board as well.

ok, here is something i actually KNOW about!!
start off with fruits and veg.

when introducing a new food, make sure it is the only new thing you are offering that day, so if there is a reaction you know what caused it. (I learnt that from experience - I gave him something with banana and raspberry in, and didn't know which he reacted to...)

dairy and soy are big allergens, so introduce these with caution at first.

also wheat and egg are major allergens, but also make life soooo much easier if you CAN feed them. egg white is more allergenic than egg yolk, and no egg or wheat at all is recommended before 6 months anyway. I was told to wipe a bit of egg on his face before I gave it to him to eat in case of a severe reaction.

take it slowly and watch for any reactions. I found ds reacted through eczema, so if he ate soy or dairy his eczema would flare, but after a couple of days without them in his diet it would clear up. Other allergic reactions include sickness, mucous in the poo and bloating. Most reactions will happen that same day, but apparently some can come up the next day (i'm thinking of ds's eczema here)

most fruits / veg are ok, but citrus / acidic fruit may cause the mouth area to go red and nappy rash, but that is because of the acidity rather than because of an allergy.

Thanks for the advice bunnyhunny. I've just read your post on the Allergies board as well. Do you think it'll be ok if I just give a little wheat anyway and watch for reactions? What about timing? DD will be at least 6 mths when I start but should I still wait longer?

personally I didn't try wheat until ds was 6m, but then he already had eczema so I knew I had to tread carefully. then I just gave him a little bit (I think I used weetabix for this), then the next day I gave him more, and then the next day I gave him even more. If he vomits etc I think it;s more of a gluten intolerance, though check with the allergy board on that one.
how long til your dd is 6m? can you stick to fruit and veg and baby rice til then?

forgot to add - I was always really cautious about introducing new foods, but the only way you know if they will react is if you actually give it to them iyswim. I spent ages dillying and dallying and not trying things out!

I'm waiting till she's 6m before I give her anything...that's the beg of Dec. She's quite happy with milk at the minute anyway, and at least I'll know it's the right time for introducing anything that could be dodgy.