Baby Allergen Introduction Tracker
Keep a simple, clear record of which allergens you have introduced to your baby. Log the date, note any reactions, and track your progress through all 9 major allergens. Based on current AAP early introduction guidance.
Top 9 Allergen Introduction Tracker
Track each allergen introduction, date, and any reactions.
Cow's Milk (Dairy)
Plain whole milk yogurt, soft cheese, butter
Protocol: Start with a small taste of plain whole milk yogurt (not drinking milk before 12 months). Wait 3-5 days before introducing another new allergen.
Eggs
Scrambled egg, hard-boiled egg, egg yolk puree
Protocol: Cook eggs fully at first. Start with a small taste (1/4 tsp). Both yolk and white contain allergens - introduce together.
Peanuts
Thinned peanut butter, peanut powder mixed in puree
Protocol: Never give whole peanuts or thick peanut butter (choking hazard). Mix 1 tsp smooth peanut butter with 2-3 tsp warm water. The LEAP study showed early introduction reduces allergy risk.
Tree Nuts
Almond butter (thinned), cashew butter, walnut powder
Protocol: Thin nut butters with water or breast milk. Introduce each tree nut separately. Never give whole nuts to babies under 4 years.
Wheat (Gluten)
Wheat puff cereal, soft whole wheat toast, pasta
Protocol: Start with a tiny amount. Wheat is commonly found in cereals, breads, and crackers. Introduce well-cooked soft wheat foods.
Soy
Soft tofu, edamame (pureed), soy-containing foods
Protocol: Soft silken tofu is a great first introduction. Pureed edamame also works. Start with a small taste.
Fish
Salmon puree, cod, tilapia (well-cooked, flaked fine)
Protocol: Low-mercury fish like salmon, tilapia, and cod are safe. Cook thoroughly and check for bones. Introduce one type of fish at a time.
Shellfish
Shrimp (pureed), scallop (well-cooked, mashed)
Protocol: Cook thoroughly. Introduce one type at a time. Crustaceans (shrimp, crab) and mollusks (scallops, clams) can cause reactions independently.
Sesame
Tahini (thinned), sesame-containing hummus, sesame flour
Protocol: Thin tahini (sesame paste) with water. Sesame became the 9th major US allergen in 2023. Start with a tiny amount.
Note: This tracker is stored only in your browser session and is not saved. Print or screenshot your progress to keep a record. Data is cleared when you close or refresh this page.
Why Early Allergen Introduction Reduces Allergy Risk
For decades, parents were told to delay introducing allergenic foods. Research has since shown the opposite: early introduction around 4-6 months appears to reduce food allergy risk significantly.
The LEAP Study (2015)
The landmark Learning Early About Peanut Allergy (LEAP) study found that high-risk infants (with eczema or egg allergy) who consumed peanut protein from 4-11 months had an 80% reduction in peanut allergy by age 5 compared to those who avoided peanuts.
Current AAP Guidance (2023)
The American Academy of Pediatrics now recommends introducing peanut-containing foods to infants at low and moderate risk for peanut allergy around 4-6 months to reduce the risk of developing peanut allergy.
The Top 9 Allergens to Introduce
Peanuts
Thin peanut butter thinned with breast milk or water. Never whole nuts.
Eggs
Fully cooked scrambled eggs or egg yolk. Introduce white and yolk together.
Cow's Milk (Dairy)
Yogurt, cheese, or milk in cooking. Not plain milk as a drink under 12 months.
Wheat
Baby cereal, puffs, or soft bread pieces (well-cooked pasta or bread).
Soy
Silken tofu, soy yogurt, or pureed edamame.
Fish
Pureed salmon, cod, or tilapia. Avoid high-mercury fish.
Shellfish
Pureed shrimp or crab meat. Introduce separately from fish.
Tree Nuts
Thin nut butters (almond, cashew). Introduce each tree nut separately.
Sesame
Tahini thinned to a smooth consistency, or sesame-containing puree.
How to Introduce Allergens Safely: Step by Step
Talk to Your Pediatrician First
Before introducing allergens, discuss your baby's individual risk. Babies with eczema or existing food allergies may need supervised introduction.
Introduce One at a Time
Introduce one new allergen at a time. Wait 3-5 days before adding the next one so you can identify any reaction clearly.
Start with a Small Amount
Begin with a tiny taste (1/8 teaspoon). Watch for reactions for 2 hours. If no reaction, gradually increase the amount over several days.
Keep Introducing Regularly
Once introduced without reaction, continue offering the allergen 2-3 times per week to maintain tolerance. Avoidance after introduction can lead to sensitization.
What to Watch For: Allergic Reaction Signs
Always introduce new allergens at home during the day (not at daycare or before bedtime) so you can watch for reactions. Know the difference between mild and severe.
🟡 Mild Reactions (Monitor and Call Doctor)
- •A small localized rash or hives around the mouth
- •Mild redness or itching around the face
- •Runny nose or watery eyes
- •Single vomiting episode without other symptoms
- •Mild fussiness or discomfort after eating
🔴 Severe Reactions (Call 911 Immediately)
- •Difficulty breathing, wheezing, or stridor
- •Swelling of the throat, tongue, or lips
- •Pale, blue, or limp appearance
- •Loss of consciousness
- •Severe widespread hives rapidly spreading
- •Repeated vomiting with breathing difficulty
Allergen Introduction Questions, Answered
What if my baby has eczema?
Can I introduce multiple allergens in one day?
What if my baby reacts to an allergen?
Do I need to keep giving allergens after introduction?
Suggested Allergen Introduction Timeline
This sample timeline assumes your baby starts solids around 6 months. Adjust based on when your baby is developmentally ready. Always introduce allergens one at a time with a 3–5 day gap.
Week 1–2
Peanuts
How to prepare: Mix 1/8 tsp smooth peanut butter with 2–3 tsp breast milk, formula, or water to make a thin paste.
Most important to introduce early, reduces peanut allergy risk by up to 80%.
Week 3–4
Eggs
How to prepare: Fully cooked scrambled egg, soft and moist. Both yolk and white together.
Cook until no liquid remains. Raw or undercooked egg is not safe for infants.
Week 5–6
Cow's Milk (Dairy)
How to prepare: Full-fat plain yogurt (1–2 tsp) or finely grated soft cheese. Not plain milk as a drink.
Yogurt and cheese are safe; whole milk as a drink is only recommended after 12 months.
Week 7–8
Wheat
How to prepare: Iron-fortified baby oatmeal or puffed wheat cereal softened with liquid.
Introduce only after other solids are well established. Watch for any signs of GI upset.
Week 9–10
Soy
How to prepare: Silken tofu pureed smooth, or a small amount of soy-based yogurt.
Soy allergy is more common in babies with cow's milk allergy, use caution if dairy caused a reaction.
Week 11–12
Tree Nuts
How to prepare: Thin almond or cashew butter with breast milk or water to a smooth, pourable consistency.
Introduce each tree nut (almond, cashew, walnut) separately as they can cross-react.
Week 13–14
Fish
How to prepare: Pureed salmon, cod, or tilapia. Low mercury fish only.
Fish is an excellent source of DHA and zinc. Avoid canned tuna and high-mercury fish for babies.
Week 15–16
Shellfish
How to prepare: Pureed cooked shrimp or crab meat, well-blended smooth.
Introduce shellfish separately from fish, the proteins and allergy risk differ significantly.
Week 17–18
Sesame
How to prepare: Tahini (sesame paste) thinned with water or blended into a smooth vegetable puree.
Sesame was added as the 9th major allergen by the FDA in 2023. Introduce carefully.
Special Considerations: Eczema, Premature Babies, and Family History
Some babies are at higher risk for food allergies and require a more careful approach. Here is what the evidence says for each situation.
Baby Has Eczema
Eczema significantly increases food allergy risk. For mild eczema, introduce peanuts normally around 4–6 months. For moderate to severe eczema, consult an allergist first, they may recommend an allergy skin prick test before introduction. Do not delay without professional guidance.
Premature Baby
Use your baby's corrected (adjusted) age, not their chronological age, to determine readiness for solid foods and allergen introduction. A baby born 8 weeks early should start solids and allergens around 7–8 months actual age. Use our Adjusted Age Calculator for help.
Family History of Food Allergy
Having a parent or sibling with a food allergy increases risk but does not prevent early introduction. Current AAP guidelines still recommend early introduction for these babies. Discuss the approach with your pediatrician, they may want to be present for the first introduction.
After Introduction: Maintaining Tolerance
Successfully introducing an allergen is just the beginning. Research shows that ongoing regular exposure is essential for maintaining tolerance. A single introduction followed by months of avoidance may lead to sensitization and allergy development.
Aim to include each successfully introduced allergen in your baby's diet at least 2 to 3 times per week. This does not mean large amounts, even a small taste in a mixed dish counts.
Building Allergens Into Weekly Meals
The Research Behind Early Allergen Introduction
Current guidance is based on decades of research showing that the immune system learns tolerance through regular early exposure. Here is the key evidence that changed how we approach allergen introduction.
NEJM, 2015
LEAP Study (2015)
80% reduction in peanut allergy in high-risk infants who consumed peanuts from 4–11 months, compared to those who avoided peanuts. This was the landmark study that changed AAP guidelines.
NEJM, 2016
EAT Study (2016)
Early introduction of 6 allergenic foods (peanut, egg, sesame, fish, wheat, milk) from 3 months was well-tolerated in low-risk infants, with some reduction in food allergy prevalence.
NEJM, 2016
LEAP-On Study (2016)
Peanut-tolerant children who stopped eating peanuts at age 5 for 12 months had a 20% increase in allergy. Ongoing exposure matters for maintaining tolerance.
American Academy of Pediatrics, 2019
AAP Updated Policy (2019)
The AAP updated its guidance to support early introduction of peanut-containing foods for all low and moderate risk infants around 4–6 months, citing the accumulating evidence.
Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, 2022
iMAP Study (2022)
Multiple allergen introduction from 3 months alongside breast milk significantly reduced prevalence of food allergy at 12 months in a UK population study.
FDA, 2023
Sesame Added to FALCPA (2023)
The FDA designated sesame as the 9th major food allergen under the FASTER Act, requiring labeling. This made sesame one of the critical allergens to introduce and track.
More Allergen Introduction Questions
Can I introduce allergens if I am still breastfeeding?
What is the difference between a food allergy and food intolerance?
Should I introduce allergens before or after breast milk or formula?
Can I use store-bought nut butters for allergen introduction?
My baby had a small rash around their mouth, is that an allergy?
Feeding Your Baby with Confidence
Use our complete library of free tools and guides to support every aspect of your baby's first year of feeding, from formula amounts to solid food readiness to allergen introduction.