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What is the “4 Day Wait Rule”? Is it important to follow the “4 Day Wait Rule” when starting solid foods?
The “4 Day Wait Rule” is a really simple way to check for possible reactions to new foods such as food sensitivities or food allergies. Remember that in addition to possible allergic reactions, foods can also cause digestive troubles like tummy pains, painful gas or even poop troubles. Introduce new foods, one food at a time and at a space of 4 days apart.
For example, introduce baby to avocado on Monday and then wait until Friday to introduce another food.
When you introduce a new food over the course of several days, you are better able to determine exactly how your baby is reacting to that food. It is important to follow the “four day wait” rule when introducing your baby to new solid foods, especially in the beginning stage. This is most important if you and/or your family members have a history of food allergies.
Following the four day wait rule and introducing new foods one at a time will also enable you to easily begin an “elimination diet“. If you suspect your infant has had an adverse reaction to a new food, you will have just a few foods to look to as the culprit.
Is the 4 day wait rule really necessary? Have you been told to abide by or toss it out the window along with other “old wives tales”?
As studies are now showing that waiting to introduce allergenic foods might not have any impact on whether a child develops a food allergy, the use of the 4 day wait rule is becoming obsolete and outdated.
There are many pediatricians who are now suggesting that babies may be introduced to a variety of foods, all at once, even during the first days of introducing solid foods.
Thethought is that offering a wider variety of tastes and textures, early and often, will get baby’s tastebuds excited and “trained” to enjoy flavors of all types. Offering a larger variety sooner, such as serving 4 new foods during a 2 or 4 day span, rather than later may justgive baby the willingness and curiosity to try anything and everythingput in front of him. And don’t forget theherbs and spices when introducing solid foods, earlier is better it is being said!
(from the WBF Blog 07 March 2011)
The ” 4 day wait rule” might be a good practice to follow if you have a history of food allergies
Following a slow pattern of introducing solid foods to your baby will help pinpoint allergic reactions and to pinpoint any digestive issues a new food may cause. Allergic reactions typically will occur within the first 24 hours. Digestive issues with new foods(like diarrhea or constipation) may take longer to appear.
Introduce new foods during the morning or early afternoon.
This will enable you to deal with any adverse reactions when your pediatrician is in office. Should an adverse reaction occur during the morning/early afternoon, it will cause the least amount of disruption in baby’s fragile routine.
When Can I Mix Foods Without Worrying About the 4 Day Wait Rule?
Once you have introduced several new foods without a reaction, you can then begin to mix them together as you wish.
When Can I Stop Paying Attention to the 4 Day Wait Rule?
When your baby is around 9-10 months of age, you will have introduced many new foods and will have a good idea about what foods may be allergenic or cause your little one digestive upsets. At this stage, paying less attention to the 4 day wait rule is common. As you loosen up the 4 day wait rule, it is still important to pay attention to the new foods you offer your little one, especially those foods that do pose an allergy risk. Of course if your family has a history of food allergies and/or intolerances, you may want to continue to follow the 4 day wait rule until your baby is at least 12 months of age. As always, you should consult with your baby’s pediatrician.
Read More About Baby Food And Baby Allergies
- Allergy and Allergen Information
- Forbidden Baby Foods
- Soy and Soy Allergies
- Wheat and Gluten and Baby Food
- Lactose Intolerance
- Allergy Elimination Diet Page
- Eggs – When to Introduce Eggs
Always consult with your pediatrician regarding introducing solid foods to your baby and specifically discuss any foods that may pose allergy risks for your baby.
FAQs
The “4 Day Wait Rule” is a really simple way to check for possible reactions to new foods such as food sensitivities or food allergies. Remember that in addition to possible allergic reactions, foods can also cause digestive troubles like tummy pains, painful gas or even poop troubles.
What is the 3 day wait rule for baby food? ›
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends giving your baby “one new food at a time, and wait at least 2 to 3 days before starting another. After each new food, watch for any allergic reactions such as diarrhea, rash, or vomiting” (3).
How long should you wait to introduce new foods to a baby? ›
Start simple.
Wait three to five days between each new food to see if your baby has a reaction, such as diarrhea, a rash or vomiting. After introducing single-ingredient foods, you can offer them in combination.
What is the recommendation for food allergies for babies? ›
When introducing solid foods to your baby, include common allergy causing foods by 12 months in an age appropriate form, such as well cooked egg and smooth peanut butter/paste. These foods include egg, peanut, cow's milk (dairy), tree nuts (such as cashew or almond paste), soy, sesame, wheat, fish, and other seafood.
What is the 4 days wait rule? ›
The rule is simple: introduce your baby to one food at a time and wait approximately four days to introduce the next food. If your baby has a negative reaction to a food, following this rule will allow you to quickly pick out what the offending food was and eliminate it from baby's diet.
How many times does a baby need to try a new food? ›
Expect to Try…and Try Again.
It can take 10 to 20 different times before a baby learns to like a new food.
How many days between allergens? ›
Once you've safely introduced a food allergen to your child, keep that food in regular rotation—consistency is key. Allergists often recommend aiming for the inclusion of common allergens 2-3 times per week because that was the median frequency of allergen exposure reported in major studies on food allergy prevention.
Can you use baby food the next day? ›
As a rule of thumb, leftover food can be kept in the fridge and used within 2 days (1 day for rice) but if you want longer than this, then pop your leftovers in the freezer.
Is 3 months too early to eat baby food? ›
Doctors recommend waiting until a baby is about 6 months old to start solid foods. Starting before 4 months is not recommended. At about 6 months, babies need the added nutrition — such as iron and zinc — that solid foods provide. It's also the right time to introduce your infant to new tastes and textures.
When can babies eat scrambled eggs? ›
You can give your baby the entire egg (yolk and white), if your pediatrician recommends it. Around 6 months, puree or mash one hard-boiled or scrambled egg and serve it to your baby. For a more liquid consistency, add breast milk or water. Around 8 months, scrambled egg pieces are a fantastic finger food.
Stage 3 (typically 10-12 months old, but may occur sooner): At this stage, you can slowly replace purees with soft, chewable chunks of food, and offer your baby more finger foods that they can pick up and feed themselves.
Can you give a 1 month old rice cereal in a bottle? ›
Some people argue that rice cereal is an exception to the guidelines — perhaps because of the ability of rice cereal to dissolve in (and “thicken”) breast milk or formula when added in small quantities. Yet, rice cereal is a solid food. Babies aren't ready for solid foods until they're about 6 months old .
What is the most common fruit allergy in babies? ›
The most common fruit allergy is to kiwi fruit, although this is still uncommon. If your baby develops a rash after consuming kiwi fruit, ask your doctor to refer you to an allergy specialist for testing.
How long do egg allergy symptoms last in babies? ›
Eggs are one of the most common foods to trigger allergic symptoms in babies and young children. Most children with an egg allergy will start to outgrow it by the time they go to school but in some it will persist into later childhood or in rare cases, adulthood.
What are the most common food intolerances in babies? ›
Eggs, milk, and peanuts are the most common causes of food allergies in children, with wheat, soy, and tree nuts also included. Peanuts, tree nuts, fish, and shellfish commonly cause the most severe reactions. Nearly 5 percent of children under the age of five years have food allergies.
Can I give my baby a new food every day? ›
The current recommendations from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) call for introducing to infants one single-ingredient food at a time and waiting three to five days to observe for food allergy before introducing another new food.
How long to watch baby after trying new food? ›
Timing tips. Set aside at least 2 hours after the first taste to watch your baby for a reaction. Make sure you or another family member can give full attention to your baby. Wait 10 minutes between the first and second taste.
When can you introduce stage 2 foods? ›
According to Laracuente, babies are usually ready for Stage 2 between 6 and 8 months old — but make sure your little one has honed their Stage 1 skills before making the leap. “Once your baby has done well with Stage 1 solids and has tried multiple foods, it is safe to advance to Stage 2 baby food,” says Dr.
