What is the 3-Day Rule for Complementary Food?

There is a possibility of developing allergies to foods that your baby will encounter for the first time during the transition to solid food. In order to prevent this situation, the 3-day rule will come into effect.

So why and how exactly is the 3-day rule applied in supplementary food? Before your baby meets new foods, you should learn this method thoroughly!

What is the 3 day rule?

With the 6th month of the baby, he will switch to solid food. Your baby, who has been fed breast milk or formula for 6 months, will now be fed solid foods. However, there is a possibility that some foods may cause allergic reactions in the baby’s body. In order to detect these allergic conditions, the 3-day rule is applied in the transition to additional food.

With this rule, by observing your baby for 3 days, you can understand whether he has a reaction to any food, and also what foods he likes and dislikes.

How is the 3-day rule applied in babies?

The three-day rule is after you offer your baby a food for the first time, waiting 3 days to see if he develops an allergic reaction. Let’s explain the 3-day rule step by step with an example:

• You’re going to give your baby a pumpkin tasting. First of all, you need to offer this food to your baby without mixing it with any other food. Let’s say you start your tasting with pumpkin puree.
• By continuing to give this supplementary food to your baby in the same way for 3 days, you will observe whether there is any allergic reaction in his body.
• You can proceed by increasing 3 teaspoons on the first day, 5 teaspoons on the 2nd day, and 7 teaspoons on the 3rd day if there is no reaction. If it didn’t cause any problems, you can count zucchini as a safe food at the end of 3 days and start tasting a new food in the same way.
• You can apply the 3-day rule and mix the foods that your baby does not develop allergies to.

How do those who follow the 3-day rule understand that their baby has allergies?

• Red and itchy rashes on the skin,
• Vomiting,
• diarrhea,
• Unrest,
• Green and mucous poop is one of the most common allergy symptoms.

But beware, these symptoms can be seen in other diseases as well. We also recommend that you pay attention to whether your baby has any discomfort at that time.

Why should the 3-day rule be applied in the transition to additional food?

Thanks to the three-day rule in babies;

• You can determine if your baby has a food allergy.
• It allows your baby’s palate to get used to the flavors you offer.
• It improves the palate.
• You can tell which foods you like or dislike.

How long should the 3-day rule of supplementary food be maintained in infants?

We recommend that you follow this rule every time your baby has a new food tested until 1 year old. After the age of 1, you can put an end to this rule as your baby’s risk of food allergy will decrease and you will have tasted many foods.