01/08/2026
🩺 Early Allergen Introduction: Key Updates (2025–2030)
The Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2025–2030, in alignment with guidance from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) and American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology - AAAAI, continue to recommend early introduction of allergenic foods during infancy.
What nurses should know:
🍼 Timing
Potentially allergenic foods (including peanut, egg, wheat, shellfish, and nut/seed butters) should be introduced around 6 months of age (not before 4 months), alongside other complementary foods, while continuing breast milk or formula.
⚠️ Risk-based guidance
• High-risk infants (severe eczema and/or egg allergy): families should consult their provider about possible testing and earlier peanut introduction (4–6 months) under medical guidance.
• Lower-risk infants: allergenic foods can be introduced around 6 months, using developmentally appropriate textures.
📉 These recommendations specifically target prevention of IgE-mediated food allergies, and emerging population data show declining peanut allergy rates in children born after adoption of early-introduction guidance.
🚨 Important clarification
Early allergen introduction is not intended to prevent non–IgE-mediated conditions.
👩⚕️ Nursing role
• Assess allergy risk and eczema severity
• Reinforce safe, timely, and intentional introduction
• Support individualized plans in collaboration with pediatricians or allergists
📘 References:
Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2025–2030 (HHS & USDA); AAP; NIAID; AAAAI
https://lnkd.in/eF_vqF-H
