Allergies are not contagious, nor are they caused by viral infections, although they can be passed on from parent to child. For example, a child whose father or mother suffers from allergies may be more prone to allergies than those whose parents do not. It is important that parents with allergies bring their children to be tested for food allergies as soon as possible. There are also many ways to reduce your baby's risk of allergies, including making sure he or she has been breastfed for at least 4-6 months and avoiding cow's milk as a supplement to a healthy diet within 6 months.