Allergy Introduction

When starting solids there are always two concerns parents have: choking and allergies. Katie and I were privileged enough to be fearful of both! Luckily, a good friend of ours had a pediatrician that recommended SpoonfulOne. Neither of us had heard of this product or concept before. Typically, parents just introduced single ingredient foods to their babies when starting solids and monitored if there is any allergic reaction. The recommended time is three to five days before introducing another food. Even though we planned on starting with single ingredient purees the idea of using SpoonfulOne was very appealing upon further research.

Both Remi and Sonny started solids at four months. The information about the recommended time frame to start solids and allergen introduction can be confusing and contradictory. Most parents begin solids between four to six months when baby can sit supported and is able to control their head. We knew our babies were ready by four months but waited until our pediatricians gave us the green light at their wellness checkups. Sonny was taking close to forty ounces of formula a day and needed solids to reduce his liquid caloric intake. Remi already had teeth by four months and had reduced her formula intake.

Did you know that food allergies have more than doubled over the last generation from 1999 to 2018? Food allergies are not just genetic, and 320,000 children born this year will develop a food allergy by the age of 18. What was most shocking to us is that peanuts only made up 7% of food allergies. Guidelines now recommend starting multi-allergen introduction between 4-6 months. According to a study, feeding a potential allergen, like peanut, early and often can help reduce the risk of a food allergy developing by 86%!

Dr. Swanson: "Today nearly six million children (two children in every classroom) in the U.S. have a food allergy. And the thing is, anyone can develop a food allergy, even without a family history. Genetics alone isn’t the only factor, in fact, two out of every three children who develop a food allergy do not have a parent with one. The good news is that there is something you can do about it. Science, data, and groundbreaking research has shown that with early introduction and routine feeding of diverse foods and common allergens, you can help lower a baby’s risk of developing a food allergy. Amazing when there is something actionable for parents to put into practice! Every bite counts, so make them the best bites possible and let babies eat!"

So, what is SpoonfulOne? Founded by women and developed with doctors, scientists, chefs, educators, and parents SpoonfulOne has set out to create a world free of food allergies! Developed by globally renowned pediatric allergist, Dr. Kari Nadeau, SpoonfulONE is the most complete early allergen introduction and maintenance product on the market. 1 packet = 16 foods commonly associated with over 90% of food allergies. When eating SpoonfulONE, 16 foods are introduced to a child’s immune system. The immune cells in the stomach begin to recognize the foods. When eaten on an ongoing basis, SpoonfulONE teaches the immune system that the 16 foods are just foods, not allergens. Their products are made with wholesome, real ingredients and contain no artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives. They are Certified Organic by Oregon Tilth and responsibly manufactured in the USA. It is no wonder why they are recommended by more than 3,000 pediatricians. SpoonfulOne is committed to ensuring children have access to early allergen introduction to help them grow up accustomed to the foods commonly associated with food allergies. Each SpoonfulONE product includes the same spoonful of peanuts, milk, shellfish (shrimp), tree nuts (almonds, cashews, hazelnuts, pecans, pistachios, and walnuts), egg, fish (cod and salmon), grains (oats and wheat), soy, and sesame.

How did we incorporate SpoonfulOne? We started with SpoonfulOne mix-ins at four months. Their individually wrapped packets are easy to incorporate daily. Mix-ins can be given in a bottle (formula or breast milk) or simply mixed in with food. We mixed one packet everyday with purees. The mix-ins do not dissolve but are super fine so there is no fear of choking. We switched our subscription around seven months to puffs when Sonny and Remi began "snacking" and baby led weaning. To make sure nothing goes to waste we still use any left-over mix-ins in a homemade shake! If your baby continues to eat purees the mix-ins will still be practical. The puffs are a smart, easy, on-the-go snack for maintaining a safe multi-allergen introduction routine. They have the same taste and texture of popular baby puff brands with the added benefit of allergy introduction. We are planning to continue SpoonfulOne in the future by incorporating their oat crackers (recommended for 12+ months) too. Luckily, the variety and options SpoonfulOne offers enables us to make consistent diet diversity a long-term habit. These options and varieties make the introduction of allergens from infancy to childhood a breeze!

Make sure to consult with your pediatrician first to find out if your baby is ready to start solid foods or should follow any specific instructions about food allergens. Regardless of the new guideline recommendations some pediatriancs still suggest waiting longer than four to six months. It is important to note that SpoonfulOne is not intended for children with a food allergy or is already allergic to any ingredient. Katie and I are NOT health care professionals. We are simply sharing what has worked for us. SpoonfulOne eased our anxieties about safely introducing common food allergens. If you are interested in early allergen introduction we encourage you to do your own research by visiting SpoonfulOne's webpage for more information. The most important thing you can do as a parent is follow your instincts because you will know what is best for your baby.

XO Amanda