RecruitingInterventional

Parent and Baby Project

This project, called the Parent and Baby Project, is looking for a better way to prevent food allergies in babies. Around 1 in 20 young children in the UK have food allergies, and some can be very serious. While current advice suggests waiting until 6 months to introduce solid foods, newer research shows that giving babies tiny tastes of common allergy-causing foods, like peanuts and eggs, before 6 months might actually help prevent allergies. We need to find an easy and practical way for UK parents to do this safely. This study will involve working with parents and doctors to develop a new approach, test it in some areas, and then run a larger trial to see if it reduces allergies without causing other health problems. Ultimately, we hope to make this approach available through the NHS.

At a glance

Status

Recruiting

Sponsor

University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust

Enrolment target

3,200

Start

31 May 2025

Estimated completion

31 Dec 2027

Preventing food allergy in infants

What is this study about?

Food allergies in young children are a growing concern in the UK, affecting about 1 in 20 pre-schoolers. These allergies can sometimes be severe and even life-threatening. For many years, the general advice has been to wait until babies are around 6 months old before introducing solid foods. However, recent international studies have shown a different picture: introducing small amounts of common allergy-causing foods, like peanuts and hen's eggs, *before* 6 months of age could actually help prevent allergies from developing in the first place.

While this new idea is promising, earlier efforts in the UK found it difficult for parents to introduce these foods early and in large amounts. The good news is that we now understand that only very small tastes are needed alongside breastfeeding to have this protective effect. So, the main goal of the Parent and Baby Project is to develop and test a new, easy-to-follow approach that helps parents and carers safely introduce these small tastes of foods from about 17 weeks of age. We want to make sure this new method is practical, convenient, and truly helps reduce food allergies.

This project will happen in two main stages. First, we'll try out our new approach with around 200 parents and caregivers in different areas and make any necessary improvements based on their feedback. Then, in a larger stage, about 3000 parents and carers from across the UK will either receive our new advice for early food introduction or continue with the usual advice to introduce solids around 6 months. We will carefully compare both groups to see if the early introduction method reduces food allergies by 12 months of age, doesn't affect breastfeeding, and is affordable enough to be used widely within the NHS. This research is important because if successful, it could significantly improve the health and well-being of many families.

Key takeaways

Aims to prevent food allergies by introducing small tastes of food earlier.
Focuses on hen's egg and peanuts.
Will involve two stages: developing the approach and then a larger trial.
Looks for ways to implement this effectively across the NHS.
Seeks to improve baby health and reduce family stress from allergies.
Participation will be until your baby is 12 months old.

Who may be eligible?

This study is looking for parents and carers with babies who are very young, specifically between birth and 3 months old. For your baby to be included, you need to be willing and able to understand the study and agree to take part by signing a consent form.

There are certain situations where a baby wouldn't be able to join. For example, if your baby already has a confirmed allergy to both peanuts and hen's egg. Also, if your baby has major feeding problems, severe learning difficulties, genetic conditions like Down's syndrome, or certain inherited health problems that require special diets, they likely wouldn't be suitable for this study. This is because these conditions might make it unsafe or inappropriate to introduce solid foods early.

Could this study suit you?

Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.

Is your baby currently between birth and 3 months old?
Are you able to agree to take part and sign a consent form?
Does your baby already have a confirmed allergy to both peanuts AND hen's egg?
Does your baby have any major feeding difficulties?
Does your baby have severe learning difficulties or certain genetic conditions that make early solid feeding inappropriate?

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

Taking part in this study would involve two main stages. In the first stage, we'll involve about 200 parents and carers to help us refine and improve our new approach to introducing foods. This means you'd work with us to shape the advice and materials we provide. After that, in the larger stage of the study, around 3000 parents and carers will be invited to participate. You would be randomly assigned to one of two groups: either receiving the new advice to introduce small tastes of hen's egg and peanuts from 17 weeks, or following the standard advice to introduce solids around 6 months. We would then follow your baby's health and development, particularly regarding food allergies, until they are 12 months old. We would check for food allergies using standard methods like symptom history, skin prick tests, blood tests, or sometimes a food challenge under medical supervision. The total duration of your participation would be until your baby reaches 12 months of age, with check-ups and assessments along the way.

Potential risks and benefits

By taking part, you could be helping to find a new, effective way to prevent food allergies in babies, which could benefit many families in the future. The potential risks involve the possibility of your baby having an allergic reaction when introducing new foods, but the study will focus on very small tastes and will be carefully monitored. You will receive clear guidance on how to introduce these foods safely. You have the right to withdraw your baby from the study at any time, for any reason, without it affecting your usual medical care.

Locations (4)

Some site locations are approximate. We're improving this — please verify with the trial team before travelling.

The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
City only
Newcastle upon Tyne, England
Isle of Wight NHS Trust Nmp
City only
Newport, England
University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust
City only
Southampton, England
South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
City only
Middlesbrough, England

Common questions

What is the main goal of this study?

To find a new, safe, and easy way for parents to introduce small tastes of foods like peanuts and eggs to babies earlier to prevent food allergies.

Why is 'early introduction' important?

Recent research suggests that introducing small amounts of common allergy-causing foods before 6 months of age might help prevent allergies from developing.

What foods specifically will be introduced early?

The study focuses on introducing small tastes of hen's egg and peanuts.

Who can take part in this study?

Parents and carers with babies aged 0-3 months who don't already have confirmed allergies to both peanuts and hen's egg, and who are generally healthy.

Will my baby's health be monitored?

Yes, we will monitor your baby's health, including checking for food allergies, until they are 12 months old using standard NHS methods.

How to find out more

Helen Stacey

h.stacey@soton.ac.uk - Official trial record

Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.