Free tool
Allergen introduction tracker
Enter your baby's age and a start date to get a dated plan for the top 9 food allergens, one new allergen every 3 days, with a serving tip for each. Tick them off as you go. Your progress stays in this browser. No signup.
Build your baby's allergen plan
Answer the question above to see your dated plan.
Born early?Ask your pediatrician whether to use your baby's corrected age when starting allergens.
Allergen introduction order and how to serve each one
The tracker introduces the top 9 allergens in this order. Peanut and egg come first because the American Academy of Pediatrics points to studies where introducing these two early helped prevent allergy. Serving ideas are for a baby of about 6 months; the tracker adjusts them for older babies.
| Day | Allergen | How to serve at 6 months |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Peanut | Thin smooth peanut butter with warm water, breast milk, or formula and stir it into porridge or purée. Whole peanuts are a choking hazard at every age. Always thin peanut butter so it cannot stick. |
| Day 4 | Egg | Hard-boil an egg, then mash the yolk and white smooth with breast milk, formula, or water. Cook egg fully, with no runny yolk or white, and never offer a whole boiled egg. |
| Day 7 | Milk (dairy) | Plain, unsweetened, full-fat yogurt on a spoon. Do not offer cow's milk as a drink before 12 months. |
| Day 10 | Wheat | Thin fingers of lightly toasted bread, or soft-cooked large pasta shapes. Soft fresh bread can ball up in the mouth. Lightly toast it for younger babies. |
| Day 13 | Soy | Mashed soft or silken tofu, or larger strips of firm tofu to grip. Cut firm tofu into pieces your baby can manage. |
| Day 16 | Sesame | Thin smooth tahini with water and stir it into purée, or blend it into hummus. Thick tahini can stick. Always thin it for younger babies. |
| Day 19 | Tree nuts | Thin smooth almond or cashew butter with water or milk and stir it into porridge or purée. Whole and chopped nuts are choking hazards. Offer only smooth, thinned nut butter. |
| Day 22 | Fish | Cook through, remove every bone, and flake into a moist mash. Check carefully for bones and keep the fish moist. |
| Day 25 | Shellfish | Cook fully, then mince finely or purée into a moist mash. Shrimp is rubbery. Mince it finely for younger babies. |
How to use the allergen introduction tracker
- Set your baby's age and the day you want to start.
- Answer the eczema and allergy question. If the answer is yes, talk to your pediatrician first.
- Tap any allergens your baby already eats so the plan skips them.
- On each day, offer the new allergen early, when your baby is well and you can watch them, then mark it Introduced.
- Keep every introduced allergen in the routine. If you mark Had a reaction, the plan pauses until you have spoken with your pediatrician.
For the reasons behind each step, read the guide to introducing allergens. Just starting solids? The first week of solids plan and the baby food texture by age finder cover the basics, and all free tools are in one place.
Signs of an allergic reaction
Mild signs include a few hives, redness around the mouth, vomiting, or loose stools, usually within minutes to two hours of eating. Stop offering the food and call your pediatrician.
Common questions
When should I start introducing allergens to my baby?
Most babies can start common allergenic foods at about 6 months, once they are ready for solid foods. The American Academy of Pediatrics found no benefit to delaying these foods, and studies link early peanut and egg introduction to fewer allergies.
Which allergens should my baby try?
The top 9 food allergens are peanut, egg, milk, wheat, soy, sesame, tree nuts, fish, and shellfish. This tracker covers all nine and starts with peanut and egg, the two allergens where studies link early introduction to fewer allergies.
How long should I wait between new allergens?
The American Academy of Pediatrics suggests one new food at a time, waiting at least a day before starting another. This plan leaves 3 days between new allergens so you have more time to spot a reaction and tell which food caused it. Offer each new allergen earlier in the day, when your baby is well and you can watch them.
Do I need to keep offering an allergen after the first try?
Yes. Once your baby tolerates an allergen, the American Academy of Pediatrics advises keeping it in their diet routinely, in portions that suit their age. A single taste is not enough.
What are the signs of an allergic reaction in a baby?
Mild signs include a few hives, redness around the mouth, vomiting, or loose stools, usually within minutes to two hours. Stop offering the food and call your pediatrician. Call emergency services right away for trouble breathing, swelling of the lips or tongue, widespread hives, repeated vomiting, floppiness, or pale or blue skin.
What if my baby has eczema or a family history of food allergy?
Talk to your pediatrician before you start. The NIAID recommends a clinician evaluation before peanut introduction for babies with severe eczema, egg allergy, or both, and some babies may need testing or a supervised first taste.