Allergy to Berries

"Do not give strawberries to your baby or any kind of berry at her very young age," that was my pediatrician's warning to me a few weeks back when I told her my story.

So here goes the trouble of a first time mom. I should've known it from the very start 'cause we bought some strawberries for our baby a week before the visit to the doctor. I washed the berries, chopped them into bits, put them in the blender, and started feeding our little one with the purée. Actually, she was able to finish over 3 spoonfuls until she threw up everything on the floor and all over her walker. Well, I thought, maybe, it was because of the seeds.

Our pediatrician added that strawberries, blueberries, or whatever berries are not advisable as baby food. Infants may develop some allergic reactions to them. To be safe, I have to wait for my baby to turn one year old. Her digestive system will be more developed at that stage. And after a few months of eating some solid food, her tummy will be ready for berries.

If your baby already reached 1 year old or older, you may feed her with tiny pieces of berries. Just be sure to wash them very well before slicing them into halves or even smaller, though. Berries are choking hazard. Your baby might have the trouble chewing them. They could just slide into your baby's throat, so be careful not to give the whole ones.

Here are some signs of food allergy that mothers should be aware of:
- swelling of the tongue, lips, and face
- skin rash
- wheezing
- abdominal cramping
- vomiting
- diarrhea

The moment you notice any of these signs on your baby, you should be calling her doctor right away.