Home / Feeding Guides / Baby Allergen Introduction Quiz Eight quick questions on introducing the top common allergens to your baby - peanut, egg, milk, tree nut, soy, wheat, fish, shellfish, and sesame. Every answer is grounded in current AAP and NHS guidance.
~3 min · Last reviewed: 2026-05-23
Question 1 of 8
Around what age does current AAP guidance suggest introducing the common allergens to most babies?
Wait until 2 years for peanut and egg, earlier for the rest. Wait until at least 12 months to lower the risk of allergies. Whenever you feel ready - there's no age guidance. Around 4–6 months, as soon as the baby is developmentally ready for solids. All questions and answers 1. Around what age does current AAP guidance suggest introducing the common allergens to most babies? Correct answer: Around 4–6 months, as soon as the baby is developmentally ready for solids.
The AAP and NIAID recommend introducing common allergens around the time the baby starts solids (typically 4–6 months, once readiness signs appear). Delaying introduction does not reduce allergy risk and may increase it for peanut and egg.
Source: AAP - Early Peanut Introduction
2. How many new common allergens should you typically introduce in a single day? Correct answer: One new allergen at a time, then watch for ~3 days before adding another.
Introduce one new common allergen at a time and watch for ~3 days for any reaction. This makes it easy to identify which food caused a reaction if one occurs. Familiar foods can still be served in between.
Source: AAP - Food Allergy Prevention
3. What is a safe way to first offer peanut to a baby under 1 year? Correct answer: Thinned smooth peanut butter mixed into a familiar puree, or peanut puff dissolved on the tongue.
Whole peanuts and thick sticky peanut butter are choking hazards under 4 years. Safe introduction forms: smooth peanut butter thinned with water/breast milk/formula into a familiar puree, or a dissolvable peanut puff. Never give a whole peanut.
Source: AAP - Early Peanut Introduction
4. Which of these can be a sign of a mild allergic reaction in babies? Correct answer: Hives, rash around the mouth, mild swelling of lips, or runny nose after eating.
Mild reactions often appear within minutes to two hours after eating: hives, a rash around the mouth, mild lip swelling, runny nose, or mild GI upset. Note the food, stop offering it, and call your pediatrician. Severe symptoms (trouble breathing, repeated vomiting, swelling of tongue/throat) require emergency services immediately.
Source: NHS - Food Allergies in Babies
5. Your baby has severe eczema or an egg allergy and you want to introduce peanut. What does the AAP recommend? Correct answer: Talk to your pediatrician - they may suggest peanut-specific IgE testing or an in-office introduction first.
For babies at higher risk (severe eczema, egg allergy, or both) the AAP recommends discussing with a pediatrician before introducing peanut. Testing or a supervised introduction may be advised. The recommendation is still to introduce - not to avoid - but with medical guidance.
Source: AAP - Early Peanut Introduction
6. Which form of egg is the recommended way to first introduce egg to a baby starting solids? Correct answer: Fully cooked egg - scrambled, hard-boiled, or baked into a familiar food.
Egg should be fully cooked when introduced to babies - scrambled, hard-boiled, or baked into a familiar dish. Cooking reduces salmonella risk and makes the protein safer to handle in small amounts. Raw or partly cooked egg is not recommended before 12 months.
Source: AAP - Starting Solid Foods
7. Your baby tolerated peanut once with no reaction. What's the next best step? Correct answer: Keep peanut in the regular rotation - once or twice a week is typical.
Once tolerated, keep the allergen in the regular rotation (roughly 1–2 times a week). Long gaps after a single exposure can let tolerance fade. This is the part of allergen introduction parents most often miss.
Source: AAP - Food Allergy Prevention
8. Your baby develops repeated vomiting, swelling of the tongue, and difficulty breathing minutes after a new food. What do you do? Correct answer: Call emergency services immediately - this can be anaphylaxis.
Repeated vomiting plus airway symptoms (swelling, trouble breathing, wheeze) can be anaphylaxis - a medical emergency. Call your local emergency number immediately. If you have an epinephrine auto-injector prescribed, use it. Do not delay.
Source: NHS - Food Allergies in Babies
This guide is informed by current guidelines from leading health organizations:
This quiz is general parenting information based on AAP, NIAID, and NHS guidance. It is not medical advice. If your baby has known allergies, severe eczema, or a family history of food allergies, talk to your pediatrician before introducing common allergens.