Babies at risk of severe allergies should be fed peanut products before they turn one, according to updated Australasian guidelines.
The allergy experts also recommend pregnant women eat oily fish up to three times a week and breastfeed for at least six months, which may help prevent eczema in early life.
Taking into account recent research on allergies, which have more than doubled in western countries over the last 25 years, the Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy (ASCIA) has updated its 2010 infant feeding advice and guidelines for allergy prevention.
Many previous strategies, including delayed introduction of allergenic foods, have been ineffective, it says.
"There is evidence that for infants at high risk of food allergies, such as those with severe eczema or who already had a food allergy reaction to egg, introduction of regular peanut before 12 months of age can reduce subsequent peanut allergy," the guidelines say.
They shouldn't be given whole or chopped nuts, instead use nut flours or peanut pastes or butter.
While infants shouldn't be fed raw egg, cooked egg could be fed to infants with a family history of allergy before eight months to try to reduce their risk.
"Where we once suggested that partially hydrolysed infant formulas may provide some benefit, the combined weight of evidence no longer supports this," said Professor Dianne Campbell, the ASCIA's pediatric committee chair.
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Up to two in five children in Australia and New Zealand are affected by allergic disorders some time during childhood, with one in five having current symptoms.
"Allergic disorders are often life long, and although treatable, there is currently no cure," Prof Campbell said.
"It therefore makes sense to try to prevent allergic diseases in infants or children, if possible."
