#112 - Managing Food Allergies in Babies and Toddlers (Ages 0–5)

How do you keep a baby or toddler safe with food allergies when they put everything in their mouths and can’t yet explain how they feel?

This stage of life is full of firsts, not just for your child, but for you as a parent managing food allergies. From introducing new foods to navigating daycare and watching for reactions in a child who can’t speak yet, there are countless moments you’ll need to manage. This episode focuses on building safe habits early, empowering caregivers, and showing how simple routines (like label reading or toy wiping) can make a big difference.

Allergist Dr. Basil Kahwash joins Kortney and Dr. Payel Gupta to explore how food allergy care evolves from infancy through preschool. They cover real-life, practical strategies from wiping toys and watching for symptoms to managing daycare risks and building early self-advocacy skills.

What we cover in our episode about managing food allergies in toddlers:

• Why age matters. Babies, toddlers, and preschoolers each need different safety strategies.
• What symptoms look like. Learn how reactions can show up in babies who can’t talk.
• Introducing new foods. Why early introduction still matters even after a new food allergy diagnosis.
• Daycare safety tips. How to prep caregivers and keep your child protected.
• Building habits early. From label reading to toy wiping, young kids learn by watching you.

Episode 3 in our “Food Allergies: Ages & Stages” series

Across six episodes, we explore how food allergies show up and shift through different phases of life, from introducing solids in infancy to navigating school and adapting in adulthood. We’re here with evidence-based info, expert insights, and lived experience to guide you through it all.

• Episode 1: Early Allergen Introduction (Ep. 110)
• Episode 2: Food Allergy Basics for Newly Diagnosed Families (Ep. 111)

Episodes to build a better food allergy foundation:

• • Episode 59: What is Anaphylaxis and When to Use Epinephrine
  • Episode 95: The Science Behind Allergic Reactions
  • Episode. 97: The Nuances of Food Allergy Testing
  • Episode 98: Food Allergy Treatment and Management

Made in partnership with The Allergy & Asthma Network.

Thanks to Genentech and Aquestive for sponsoring today’s episode.

This podcast is for informational purposes only and does not substitute professional medical advice. Always consult with your healthcare provider for any medical concerns.