I am a momma of two and both of my kiddos have had food allergies from the day they were born. My oldest child, 10, has a severe life-threatening peanut and tree nut allergy. She was also allergic to cow’s milk protein as an infant and grew out of that allergy at the age of 5. My youngest child, 2, has a nonlife-threatening allergy to eggs. She was also allergic to cow’s milk protein until the age of 1.

So, I’m sure you are wondering, how did I know my children had food allergies before they everate solid food? I breastfed both of my children, my oldest, only for 4 months, and my youngest for 19 months; and believe it or not, the proteins that trigger food allergies are present in your breast milk. There are signs in your infant you can look for to help you determine if your child may have a food allergy/sensitivity. I will go into my journey breastfeeding both of my girls, and how different my experiences were in a different post.

If you don’t breastfeed your child, that’s okay, most baby formula has cow’s milk protein in it; and if they are allergic/sensitive to milk, they could have these symptoms as well.

Here are some of the ways to identify if your child has an allergy/sensitivity:

1. Eczema

Eczema is the tale tell sign of a food sensitivity in infants and children. I remember when I went to the dermatologist when my oldest was an infant (pre-diagnosis), because she had terrible eczema that wouldn’t go away. The dermatologist recommended we cut milk protein, and it definitely helped! During one of my follow up visits, she told me there is a trifecta: if your child has food allergies, and eczema, they are more likely to have asthma when they are older as well. And yup! She was diagnosed with all 3. According to the American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology, signs of a food allergy or sensitivity usually start with eczema. You can learn more about the link in all three here.

2. Gassiness/Colic

So colic is just a fancy way of saying, “Any number of things could be wrong with your baby. They aren’t life-threatening enough for us to figure out.” Because infants aren’t eating their allergens directly, meaning they are consuming them via breastmilk or formula, the initial symptoms are usually gastrointestinal (GI) related. The symptoms aren’t the typical swelling and itching that we would see in an older child or adult who is eating the food directly. A “colicky”or gassy/bloated baby might be consuming proteins of something they are allergic to. In an infant, grunting and pushing down hard to release gas is a sign that they may have some GI stuff happening. Arching of the back and crying out is another sign of GI issues. If you are nursing and your baby pops off and starts crying for no reason, that could mean his little tummy is hurting as well. This article from the Mayo Clinic highlights possible signs and causes of colic, and how they are mostly GI related.

3. Bloody/Mucus Poops

Bloody stools – As I mentioned above, if your infant has a food allergy or sensitivity, the main source of symptoms is going to be GI related. If your baby’s GI tract is irritated, she will most likely have blood in her stool. Some of this blood may be visible to the naked eye; sometimes, occult blood in the stool is not, requiring a fecal occult blood test. I’ve had to do this many times in my pediatrician’s office. Our pediatrician was great and would just have me run down a soiled diaper and she’d run the test, no appointment needed. If you suspect your baby has a food allergy, talk to your pediatrician and see if this is something he can do for you. Most importantly, If you can visibly see blood in her diaper, seek medical attention as soon as possible. While it can be a sign of food allergies, bloody stools can also be a sign of a more serious problem.

Mucus stool – If your baby’s stools are not bloody, take note if they have the texture and consistency of mucus. You might wonder if someone sneezed in your baby’s diaper. Mucus is natural and helps stool move through the intestines, but if you can clearly see it and it takes up most of the diaper; that can be reason for concern. You can find more info here.

4. Vomiting/spitting up

Most babies spit up. But if you find that your infant is constantly spitting up and/or projectile vomiting after every feeding, it could mean his tummy is irritated. These symptoms could be caused by something he consumed. If your child is frequently projectile vomiting, seek medical attention as soon as possible.

Additional warning signs for children who are eating solid food

5. Swelling of the lips, mouth, tongue, throat (Anaphylaxis)

Anaphylaxis is the most common way we see an allergic reaction portrayed in the media. It’s usually a life-threatening reaction. This reaction will typically raise the need for an epinephrine injection (e.g., EpiPen or Auvi-Q). FYI: We’ve linked to some ways you can get discounts on EpiPen and Auvi-Q in our menu.

6. Hives/Itchiness

This symptom may not be life-threatening on its own, but remember I said above, reaction #1 is usually just a warning. And it will sometimes come in the form of hives and itchiness.

7. Shortness of breath/wheezing/coughing

This is one is pretty self-explanatory: the reaction can be happening in the throat, causing coughing or wheezing.

According to Food Allergy Research & Education (FARE), allergic reactions are unpredictable. Just because you react one way, doesn’t mean your body will react the same with subsequent exposure. Any of these 3 symptoms combined, no matter how mild, will require immediate medical attention. Allergic reactions can occur up to 72 hours after consumption and can last anywhere between a few minutes to a day. If you believe you are having an allergic reaction, it is always best to seek medical attention.

There is a great infographic on the FARE website, that helps you decide when you should epi or seek medical attention.

The FARE website is a great resource when just starting out and learning how to navigate a food allergy. There are some other resources in our menu that were very helpful in our family’s journey.

These are all signs and symptoms that I have experienced and have gathered that most other experience. Having any or all of these symptoms doesn't confimr an allergy. If you suspect you or your child has an allery please visit an allergist. They will provide the tests needed to confirm your allergy.