In the crazy, confusing and exhausting world of food allergies, new recommendations have been made. Now, parents of babies between 4 and 6 months are advised to introduce highly allergenic foods such as peanut butter, eggs and fish to their developing children.

The American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (AAAAI) released an article in the January Journal of Allergy & Clinical Immunology: In Practice from their Adverse Reactions to Foods Committee. In the journal, they recommended when to introduce these highly allergenic foods like wheat, soy, milk, shellfish and tree nuts to your baby’s menu but now, new reports say the foods should be introduced sooner.

The new recommendations maintain that these highly allergenic foods should be introduced after typical first foods have been eaten and tolerated, such as rice cereal, fruits and vegetables. Babies should be fed these foods safely, at home, and in gradually increasing amounts over time.

In order to make these revolutionary recommendations, the AAAAI used information garnered from more than a half dozen studies.

In 2000, the American Academy of Pediatrics released guidelines stating that children should hold off on having milk until age 1, eggs until age 2 and tree nuts, fish, shellfish and peanuts until age 3. But in 2008, the AAP revised its own guidelines, admitting that such delays prevent the development of food allergies. At the time, they didn’t over a plan for when and how to introduce such highly allergenic foods to children.

Today, the AAAAI has made the recommendations that parents have long waited for.

Speaking with David Fleischer, pediatric allergist at National Jewish Health in Denver, he said, “There’s been more studies that find that if you introduce them early it may actually prevent food allergy. We need to get the message out now to pediatricians, primary-care physicians and specialists that these allergenic foods can be introduced early.”

Dr. Fleischer went on to say that more study results are needed to conclusively determine whether early introduction will in fact lead to lower food-allergy rates and whether they should be recommended as a practice.

Though trials and research are currently in progess throughout the United Kingdom and Australia, some have already made the case to explain the benefit of early introduction. One theory details that early introduction is important because if babies aren’t exposed early enough to certain foods, their immune systems will treat them as foreign substances and attack them, resulting in allergies to those foods.

Says Katie Allen, a professor and allergist at the Murdoch Childrens Research Institute at Royal Children’s Hospital in Australia, “the body has to be trained in the first year of life. We think there’s a critical window, probably around 4 to 6 months, when the child first starts to eat solids.”

But there’s another theory to explain the food allergies found in children: westernized countries don’t offer children the same exposure to germs because they’ve become more hygienic, which affects the immune systems development.

Though many have come out in favor of the new recommendations (and the research to follow), some experts remain critical. Robert Wood, director of Pediatric Allergy and Immunology at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, said, “The evidence that has come up is of great interest but it’s all either anecdotal or epidemiological and not the intervention studies that are going on right now that will lead to answers in the next three years.”

And Dr. Wood also mentioned that parents should not feel pressured to do early introductions. His advice to confused parents is, “You can do whatever you want because we’re not sure what makes a difference.”

Do these new recommendations comfort or confuse you?

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This is for all the moms and dads who’ve caught baby in the middle of an act! This mama caught her adorable little girl munching on something! And while there’s a million guesses we could make, whatever baby girl was snacking on, we hope it was delicious!

We want to hear from you! Tweet us @TheBump using #TBcutebaby or send us an email directly at community@thebump.com to be featured in our Cute Baby of the Day series! We want to see your tot at his/her wackiest, craziest, fussiest and most adorable moments. Make sure you tell us baby’s name, too. We can’t wait to hear from you!

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Of course, you want baby to get into the holiday spirit on Thursday, and if you’re considering letting her try a little bit of what you’re having, go for it! There are some Thanksgiving foods that make perfect baby purees and finger foods. (Obviously, only give these to your baby if she’s started on solids and you know she’s ready for these particular foods!)

Sweet potatoes

Cooked sweet potatoes are easy to mash, and they’re rich in beta-carotene, which is good for baby’s vision, skin, growth and immune system.

Turkey

Yup, believe it or not, many pediatricians are now recommending introducing meats into baby’s diet fairly early (ask yours). Turkey is rich in protein and iron (if it’s dark meat). It can be pureed with a little water or fruit, or chopped into teeny pieces for a toddler who’s already a good chewer.

Pumpkin

Before you fill your pie, put aside some pumpkin for baby. It’s rich in beta carotene, and has protein and potassium, too. Ideally, you want to use fresh pumpkin to bake and puree for baby, but if you’re getting it out of a can, that’s fine too. Just double check that you’re not giving her “pumpkin pie mix,” which can have added sugar, starch and other stuff you probably don’t want her to have.

Apples

Same goes if you’re making an apple pie! Apples pack punches of vitamin C and fiber, and they taste great too! Bake some apples for baby and make them into applesauce. Most doctors will agree they’re great as one of baby’s first solid foods.

Green beans

Another food approved for early eaters is green beans — good news if you’re already stocking up for a casserole. These greens have vitamin C, iron, potassium, calcium and more. They’re also easy to prepare: just steam and then puree (just make sure the skins get completely mushed up — they can be stubborn!).

Squash

Butternut and acorn squashes are two of our favorite baby foods. Cut them in half, bake, scoop and puree (or cut into pieces, if your kid is older). They make the house smell amazing! Plus, they’ve got fiber, protein, potassium and calcium.

What foods are you going to give baby on Thanksgiving?

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Trying to throw extra veggies into baby’s food? Well it’s a lot easier than you may think. See how Liza Huber, creator of Sage Spoonfuls, sneaks some veggies into this fruity puree.

What fruit-veggie combos have you tried?

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We’re huge fans of those nutritious, on-the-go baby food pouches, but hate how disorganized they can get in our cabinets. Enter the Boon Pouch Rack Baby Food Pouch Organizer! Store up to twelve baby food pouches (works for most major brands) so they’re easy-to-see and super organized.

Buy the Boon Pouch Rack – Baby Food Pouch Organizer on Amazon or register for it here.

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When fall arrives, so do the barrels of fresh produce, which makes this the perfect time to whip baby up some fruit-and-veggies purees. See how Liza Huber, creator of Sage Spoonfuls, turns some fall favorites into baby-friendly food.

What’s your favorite food to make into a purée for baby?

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Baby food is easy to make, but sometimes new-moms don’t know where to begin. Luckily, Sage Spoonfuls’ Homemade Lifestyle Package contains all you need to create your own baby food, including an immersion blender and recipe book. Learn why our own Lori loves this DIY baby food kit.

Buy the Sage Spoonfuls Homemade Lifestyle Package at Amazon.com or register for it here.

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