Introducing your baby to one new food for three to five days at a time is a good way to check for allergic reactions. That's why Beech-Nut® Stage 1® foods are "single-ingredient" foods. Also, all of our cereals are soy-free with the exception of DHA PLUS^TM.

The foods that most commonly cause allergies in babies are:

• Milk and other dairy products
• Eggs (Egg yolks are typically introduced to babies at six to 10 months as a good source of protein. While some babies can be allergic to egg whites, most infants can eat egg yolks.)
• Wheat
• Corn
• Soy
• Citrus products like orange juice and lemon juice

Raspberries, cranberries and blueberries have low allergic potential and are rarely the cause of allergies. Fresh strawberries can sometimes cause food reactions in babies. Cooked strawberries, on the other hand, usually do not. That's because heat pasteurization destroys the substance responsible for reactions. So Beech-Nut includes strawberries – pasteurized for safety and good tolerance – as one of our Beech-Nut Stage 2® ingredients. Babies are usually ready for Beech-Nut Stage 2 at about six months.

Some potentially high-allergen foods usually not fed to babies are fish, shellfish, peanuts and tree nuts.

Check with your doctor if your baby shows any sign of an allergic reaction. But remember, starting with Beech-Nut Stage 1 foods is a convenient and healthful way to check for any food allergies your baby may have.

Always consult a pediatrician about your baby’s individual needs.