When (if ever) do food sensitivities in BF babies go away?

[P.J.]

My DS is 4 months old and EBF. It seems like for nearly every issue we've had, several people will say it could be a food sensitivity. DS is high needs and is often fussy, but it goes in waves (like 6 "good" days, 4 fussy days) and my diet is the same every day with very little variation. So I've ruled out food sensitivities for his fussiness. However, when he was very newborn, like 2-3 weeks old, I remember eating broccoli and he was extremely screamy the next day. But he was colicky the first 3 months anyway so I can't necessarily say it was the broccoli, it could've been anything. Just in case I've been avoiding broccoli and all of the cabbage family veggies. I love love love broccoli and live in Germany and getting through winter here without eating any cabbage family veggies will be tough.

So, when would it be safe to try broccoli and cauliflower and brussels sprouts, etc. again? I think I remember reading that a baby's intestines are more mature by 5 months and can tolerate things that at first caused a lot of gas or discomfort. I know I should just try it and see, but like I said DS is sometimes just fussy and it would be hard to tell if it was from broccoli or not. Anyway it saddens me to think for the next 2+ years (as long as I BF him) I can't have any broccoli and the like. Please tell me that's not the case.

[mamafish9]

Usually reacting to broccoli and things when babes are really young is a bit different than the food sensitivity, and often goes away at 3-4 months old (did for both mine). However, the high needs and fussy, even if it cycles, could well be a true food sensitivity (not to broccoli, obviously, but something you do eat regularly).

[elanorh]

My dd1 was allergic (not intolerant but allergic) to dairy, soy, wheat, eggs, and all legumes as an infant. She had outgrown her wheat allergy when I challenged it with her at around 9 months. She outgrew her legume, soy, and dairy allergies all prior to turning 2. I think I challenged peas at 14 months, dairy at 19 months, so at 22 months. She is still allergic to eggs (nearly 7 years old now).

My dd2 was allergic to dairy/soy. It took her until she was three to outgrow the dairy allergy, she was safe with soy when she was 2.

In other words, it varies. People will disagree about how long to wait to try to introduce a food back into your diet after successfully removing it. Some say you can try again as early as six weeks. For 'gassy' foods like you've mentioned, I'd say that around 5 months or so (or right after 6 months) you may find that things go fine. Have you tried increasing your probiotic intake (whether with supplements or etc.)?

Personally, with kiddos who have had diagnosed allergies - I'd wait six months between removal and challenges, at a minimum. But again that's not your situation necessarily.