I almost opend a can of Clam Chouder for lunch today and thought, hhmm neither have been exposed to shell fish yet.

Matthew is 2-1/2 and Cameron is 16 months. Does anyone know when shell fish is ok?

Neither have had peanuts yet I was going to wait until Cameron is 3 and Matthew 4 so I don't have to worry about who's eating what. Matthew has had food with Almonds and no reaction that I've noticed. I've just started on raisins (it's listed as a choking hazard) but only cooked (soften) for Cameron and Matthew not softened but with supervision. Well they are always supervised with food anyway.

I have a friend that thinks it's a bit strange that my kids have not eaten raw carrots, raisins or peanut butter yet, but I'd rather be safe than sorry. And yes, I'm still quartering grapes.

I have another friend that says no chocolate before the age of 2, but I'm not sure why does anyone know? Both of mine have had chocolate with no reactions.

By Emily7 on Wednesday, January 17, 2007 - 01:58 pm:

I wasn't sure so I searched & found this
shellfish

Both my kids, 3 & almost 5 have been eating PB&J sandwiches for a while.

By Heaventree on Wednesday, January 17, 2007 - 03:05 pm:

Thanks Emily.

By Amecmom on Wednesday, January 17, 2007 - 03:41 pm:

Helen had shrimp and calamari before she was a year, with no reaction, but do what's best for you.
Ame

By Breann on Wednesday, January 17, 2007 - 04:00 pm:

Our family has no history of shellfish or nut allergies. Our kids started eating those types of things after their first birthday.

Just start with a little bit at a time, and only one new food at a time. That way you can keep track if something seems to be an allergen.

By Trina~moderator on Wednesday, January 17, 2007 - 07:38 pm:

Neither of my kids have had clam chowder yet, but that's because I'm allergic to clams, oysters and scallops (mollusks). I'm fine with shrimp and lobster (crustacea). The kids love shrimp and tried lobster for the first time last year. DD immediately complained of a stomach ache and itchy tongue. I gave her Benadryl and she was fine, but we're going to avoid lobster for now.

Experts tend to say to wait until a child is at least 3 yrs. before trying high risk foods, especially if there are allergies in the family. One reason age 3 is a good choice is because they are old enough to verbalize a reaction by then. (My DS told me his throat and tongue were itchy the very first time he experienced anaphylaxis. He was 3.5.)

By Imamommyx4 on Thursday, January 18, 2007 - 11:10 am:

We waited on seafood b/c oldest ds has a severe allergy to shellfish and iodine. She was 3 and loved it but we watch her like a hawk b/c of her oldest ds. The last time he ate shellfish he was about 12 and that was no fun.

PB is not an issue in our family and was eating it just after she turned a year.