Food allergies in infants can be overwhelming to navigate. The good news? With the right info and support, you can keep breastfeeding and help your baby thrive, even if allergies come into play.
This guide walks you through what infant food allergies really are, how they show up in breastfed babies, what (if anything) you should change in your own diet, and how to start solids without stressing yourself out.
What Are Infant Food Allergies?
An infant food allergy happens when your baby’s immune system overreacts to a food protein. That protein might come from something they ate—or from something you ate, passed along through your breastmilk.
The most common culprits? Cow’s milk, egg, peanut, soy, wheat, tree nuts, fish, and shellfish. But cow’s milk is by far the biggest one in breastfed babies.
An allergy is different from a food intolerance. Allergies involve the immune system and can cause symptoms like hives, vomiting, or blood in the poop. Intolerances (like lactose intolerance) usually cause tummy trouble but aren’t dangerous.
Allergic reactions in infants range from mild to severe. Some babies just get gassy and cranky; others break out in eczema or have blood-streaked diapers. In rare cases, reactions can be life-threatening, but that’s extremely uncommon in fully breastfed infants.
Also important: not all fussiness is allergy-related. Most babies have colicky periods due to normal development, growth spurts, or acid reflux—not food allergies. Research shows that there’s no need to cut out dairy or other foods in the first few weeks after birth unless your baby shows clear signs of a problem.
Can a Breastfed Baby Really Have a Food Allergy?
Yes—but it’s rare. Most breastfed babies do just fine, even if their moms eat dairy, peanuts, eggs, and other common allergens. Still, in a small number of cases, proteins from your diet can pass into your milk and trigger a reaction.
Some babies are simply more sensitive, especially if they have a family history of allergies, eczema, or asthma. Sometimes the first sign is blood in the diaper, or a rash that won’t go away no matter how much ointment you use.
Breastfeeding Protects Against Allergies
Breastfeeding actually offers powerful protection against allergies. Colostrum (your early milk) contains high amounts of sIgA, a protective substance that coats your baby’s gut. This helps block allergens and germs from triggering reactions. Even a small amount of formula can alter gut protection for weeks. When breastfeeding isn’t possible, donor milk is a good alternative before turning to formula.
Signs Of A Possible Food Allergy In A Breastfed Baby
Fussiness alone usually isn’t a sign of food allergy. But if your baby shows several of the symptoms below, it’s time to talk to your pediatrician:
- Persistent eczema or red, dry skin
- Hives or unexplained rashes
- Vomiting or frequent painful spit-up
- Chronic congestion, wheezing, or breathing trouble
- Blood or mucus in the stool
- Diarrhea, constipation, or frequent diaper rash
- Poor weight gain or refusal to nurse
- Anaphylaxis (very rare but severe, involving swelling of the airway)
Keep a log of what you eat and any symptoms your baby shows. That can help your doctor see patterns and decide on next steps.
Should You Change Your Diet If Baby Has Symptoms?
If a doctor suspects your baby is reacting to something in your milk—most often cow’s milk protein—they may recommend cutting that food out for 2–4 weeks to see if symptoms improve.
How To Approach Elimination Diets
- Only eliminate foods with medical guidance. Cutting out major allergens like dairy or soy on your own can affect your nutrition.
- It may take a week or more to see improvement, and symptoms can temporarily get worse before they get better.
- If your baby improves, your doctor may suggest reintroducing the food later to confirm the allergy.
For dairy, you’ll need to avoid all sources of cow’s milk protein: milk, cheese, butter, cream, yogurt, casein, whey, and any food containing them. Always check food labels.
Babies with milk protein sensitivity often outgrow it by age two. Around six months, you might be able to reintroduce dairy gradually—under supervision.
Preventing Infant Food Allergies: What Breastfeeding Moms Can Do
There’s a lot of outdated advice out there—like avoiding peanuts or eggs while pregnant or breastfeeding. The latest research actually says the opposite: there’s no benefit to restricting your diet to prevent allergies in your baby.
Best Practices For Prevention
- Breastfeed if you’re able. Exclusive breastfeeding for at least four months can reduce the risk of allergies, eczema, and asthma.
- Introduce solids (including allergens) between 4–6 months. This is when your baby’s digestive system is mature enough to handle them.
Start with one food at a time. If your baby is high-risk (e.g. bad eczema or a sibling with food allergies), your doctor might suggest allergy testing or introducing certain foods in a clinical setting.
Avoid starting solids too early. Before four months, your baby’s gut isn’t fully sealed against allergens and may not have the enzymes needed to digest new foods. This can lead to reactions like eczema or nutrient malabsorption.
Most Common Food Allergies In Babies
Some of the most frequent triggers include:
- Cow’s milk protein (not lactose)
- Egg (especially egg white proteins like ovalbumin)
- Peanuts and tree nuts
- Soy
- Wheat
- Fish and shellfish
- Citrus fruits
- Food additives and preservatives
Peanut allergies are especially concerning due to their severity. But studies now show that early, careful peanut introduction can help prevent peanut allergies in high-risk babies.
Should I Continue To Breastfeed?
Yes—breastfeeding remains one of the best ways to support your baby’s immune and digestive systems, even if food allergies are suspected.
If your baby shows signs of a food allergy, continue to breastfeed while working with your healthcare provider to pinpoint the problem food. Once identified, you can remove that specific food from your diet while maintaining your milk supply.
You’ll usually see improvement within 2–4 weeks. And remember: most babies will outgrow their allergy, especially if you manage it early and keep breastfeeding if possible.
You’ve got this!
Resources
- Find a breastfeeding support group near you.
- Milkology Breastfeeding Class – Affordable, video-based online course to help you master breastfeeding at your own pace.
References
- Prevention of Food Allergy in Infancy: The Role of Maternal Diet — Nutrition & Allergy Journal (2023). Confirms that restricting the maternal diet during breastfeeding does not prevent food allergies in infants. Debunks common myths and provides clear guidance for moms.
- Infant Feeding and Allergy Prevention Guidelines — Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy (ASCIA). Offers evidence-based, readable guidelines for breastfeeding, allergy prevention, and solid food introduction.
- Randomized Trial of Peanut Consumption in Infants at Risk for Peanut Allergy — New England Journal of Medicine (2015). The LEAP study transformed global guidelines by proving that early peanut introduction can prevent allergy, especially in high-risk babies.
- Cow’s Milk Allergy in Breastfed Infants: What We Need to Know — Nutrients (2025). Deep dive into how cow’s milk protein allergy presents in breastfed infants, how to manage it, and when maternal diet changes are appropriate.
