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have any impact on whether a child develops a food allergy, the use of the 4 day wait rule may becoming obsolete and outdated.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.
The thought 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 variety sooner, such as serving 4-5 new foods during a 2 day span, rather than later may just give baby a willingness and curiosity to try anything and everything put in front of him. And don’t forget the herbs and spices when introducing solid foods, earlier is better it is being said!
If your family has a history of food allergies, you may want to follow the 4 day wait rule a little more loosely; drop it to 2 days for example or offer only 2 foods at the same time. Remember that food allergies typically appear within a 24 hour period and tummy issues take a bit longer to show up. Following the four day wait rule and introducing new foods one at a time will make it easier to begin an “elimination diet”. If you suspect your baby has had an adverse reaction to a new food, you will have just a few foods to look to as the culprit.
Share your thoughts! Learn more about the 4 Day Wait Rule on the WBF site.
** There are still foods that should be avoided, such as honey and soft non-pasteurized cheese, as these may cause illnesses in babies, not allergies. Wait until baby is 12 months to introduce these foods. **
