Introducing allergens to your baby, safely
The evidence is now clear: introducing common allergens like peanut and egg in the first year of life reduces the risk of food allergy. Australian guidelines recommend it for all babies — including those with eczema or a family history of allergy.
Knowing that and feeling brave enough to spread peanut butter on a rusk are two different things. That first taste can feel enormous. Our job is to make it feel routine — with a plan matched to your baby, and supervision when it helps.
Why Dr O’Reilly
Specialist care, not a fifteen-minute appointment
Dr Elize O’Reilly (BMedSci, MBBS(Hons), MHL, FRACP) is a paediatric immunologist and allergist and a general paediatrician — the specialist in the room at every appointment. Care at Little Reactions is unhurried, evidence-based and explained in plain language, and your GP stays in the loop with letters you can both read.
- FRACP specialist
- Paediatric-only practice
- Same-day test results
How we assess
Most babies don’t need testing before starting allergens — but some benefit from an assessment first. We work out which group your baby is in:
- A review of your baby’s history: eczema and its severity, family allergy history, any reactions so far
- Skin-prick testing first only where the history genuinely calls for it
- An honest conversation about risk — most families leave reassured, not scheduled for tests
How introduction works
Your plan is practical and specific, never a vague “introduce allergens early”:
- A personalised schedule for peanut, egg, milk, seafood and the other common allergens — amounts, textures and frequency
- Supervised first tastes in the clinic, or at a Little Bites, Big Confidence Allergy Picnic, where that’s the right fit
- Clear guidance on what a reaction looks like and exactly what to do
- Follow-up so allergens stay in the diet once they’re in — that’s what maintains protection
