The Itch: Allergies, Asthma, Eczema & Immunology

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


Listen Later

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.

          ...more
          View all episodesView all episodes
          Download on the App Store

          The Itch: Allergies, Asthma, Eczema & ImmunologyBy The Itch: Allergies, Asthma & Immunology

          • 4.3
          • 4.3
          • 4.3
          • 4.3
          • 4.3

          4.3

          92 ratings


          More shows like The Itch: Allergies, Asthma, Eczema & Immunology

          View all
          Stuff You Should Know by iHeartPodcasts

          Stuff You Should Know

          78,246 Listeners

          The Human Upgrade: Biohacking for Longevity & Performance by Dave Asprey

          The Human Upgrade: Biohacking for Longevity & Performance

          7,229 Listeners

          The Skinny Confidential Him And Her Show by Lauryn Bosstick and Michael Bosstick / Dear Media

          The Skinny Confidential Him And Her Show

          14,960 Listeners

          Frankly Speaking About Family Medicine by Pri-Med

          Frankly Speaking About Family Medicine

          260 Listeners

          The Curbsiders Internal Medicine Podcast by The Curbsiders Internal Medicine Podcast

          The Curbsiders Internal Medicine Podcast

          3,341 Listeners

          Calm Parenting Podcast by Kirk Martin

          Calm Parenting Podcast

          1,445 Listeners

          Dhru Purohit Show by Dhru Purohit

          Dhru Purohit Show

          3,531 Listeners

          The Dr. Hyman Show by Dr. Mark Hyman

          The Dr. Hyman Show

          9,258 Listeners

          AAAAI Podcast: Conversations from the World of Allergy by The American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (AAAAI)

          AAAAI Podcast: Conversations from the World of Allergy

          51 Listeners

          The Bible Recap by Tara-Leigh Cobble

          The Bible Recap

          35,708 Listeners

          AllergyTalk by allergytalk

          AllergyTalk

          51 Listeners

          Bendy Bodies with Dr. Linda Bluestein by Dr. Linda Bluestein

          Bendy Bodies with Dr. Linda Bluestein

          221 Listeners

          Huberman Lab by Scicomm Media

          Huberman Lab

          29,194 Listeners

          Good Inside with Dr. Becky by Dr. Becky Kennedy

          Good Inside with Dr. Becky

          4,526 Listeners

          The Mel Robbins Podcast by Mel Robbins

          The Mel Robbins Podcast

          20,245 Listeners