#7: Infant Feeding with Food Allergies + Sarah and Nelle’s Story

Let's Talk Food Allergies
Written By Lisa Woodruff, RDN

On this episode I am talking with Sarah Lauterbach, who helped inspire and support my journey to become a food allergy dietitian. She has taken an intentional stance to teach her young children how to understand food allergies and advocate for safe foods.

In addition to sharing her daughter’s journey with food allergies, Sarah and I also talk about some of the struggles with introducing table foods in babies with (and without) food allergies. And now, let’s talk food allergies!

In this episode of Let’s Talk Food Allergies:

  • Sarah’s struggles with getting an infant food allergy diagnosis included uncontrolled eczema, sleepless nights, expensive lab bills, and difficulty finding a pediatric allergist that works in food allergy. Additionally, eczema triggers may not necessarily be clinical food allergy, which is why working with a knowledgeable pediatric allergist is so important.

  • To find a pediatric allergist: ask for a referral from family doctor, search through your insurance directory, and review provider experience on websites. You can also call a clinic to verify if an allergist works with pediatric food allergy patients before scheduling an appointment.

  • If your family keeps known allergens in the house, Sarah recommends limiting the number of unsafe foods but use them as a teaching opportunity that not all foods will be safe for a food allergy child.

  • Sarah’s suggestions for navigating table foods with food allergy babies:

    • Understanding the Early Introduction Guidelines can increase your confidence as a parent to introduce common allergens to your child.

    • Introducing new foods at home individually, in a controlled situation will help pinpoint a suspected allergen IF a reaction does occur.

    • Using fun names or “safe” labels can help young children differentiate safe foods from allergen-containing equivalents.

    • Experimenting in the kitchen can be fun, but plan for occasional recipe fails when trying allergen-free alternatives.

    • Navigating infant and toddler feedings requires creativity, flexibility, and perseverance from food allergy parents.

Food Allergy Resources mentioned in this episode:

Connect with Lisa:

Lisa’s first children’s book, Be a Food Allergy Helper! is available online wherever books are sold. Learn more at lisawoodruffnutrition.com/books.

Disclaimer: This conversation, and podcast in general, is provided for general information purposes only; it is not intended to replace the advice of a medical professional. As always, individuals with food allergies should consult with their healthcare team to create an individualized Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Emergency Care Plan.

Special thanks for assistance with this podcast:


Copyright (C) 2023 Lisa Woodruff Nutrition

Lisa Woodruff, RDN

Lisa is a FARE-trained registered dietitian and food allergy mom. She helps families and individuals learn how to confidently manage food allergies while nurturing a healthy relationship with food. Lisa is a food allergy dietitian licensed to practice in Iowa, Illinois, and Nebraska. She also wrote the children’s book Be a Food Allergy Helper! and hosts the podcast Let’s Talk Food Allergies.

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#8: Be a Food Allergy Helper! One Year Anniversary
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#6: Special Episode - Kids Talk Food Allergies