Food Allergies and Weaning Babies to Solid Foods

There is no need to rush into solids for a baby with a family history of food allergies, ESPECIALLY at the young age of 6 months. Many allergists recommend exclusive breastfeeding until at least one year for atopic children.

hi jessica, thanks for your note. Am not sure about exclusive breastfeeding for at least one year. breastfeeding yes, but not exclusive. I've been following studies quite closely, and the more recent findings recommend NOT postponing solids later than 7th month. Perhaps you can point me to the source of your info? Thanks!

It’s ALL About Mom & FOOD Introduction

² The first five to six months is the period when an infant is most sensitive to allergens. Nursing is often recommended as a way to reduce the likelihood of allergic reactions, since no infant has ever been found to be allergic to her mother's milk. However, traces of whatever the mother eats are passed on to a baby through nursing, so mothers should be alert to possible connections between allergic symptoms in their babies and foods, medication, or even vitamins they have ingested recently. If a mother becomes convinced that her infant is reacting to a particular substance, she should consider eliminating it from her diet while she is nursing.

² Exclusive Breastfeeding (with no cow’s milk formulas or any supplemental food) is indicated during the first six months of life because of the early Developmental Stage of Child’s Digestive Tract, as well as it’s preventive effect against the onset of allergic symptoms most notably Eczema. However, evidence as to the preventive aspects of breastfeeding in relation to Allergic Asthma and other Atopic / Allergy outcomes (including hay fever, food allergies, and positive skin tests) has been far more mixed.

² In early life, the major Environmental risk factor is exposure to foreign food proteins and the main culprit is cow’s milk protein. Feeding solid foods to infants before 6 months of age can increase the risk of allergies, while exclusive breastfeeding for at least 6 months may prevent the onset of allergic symptoms later in life. When an infant under one year of age develops a rash, the most likely cause is the introduction of an unfamiliar food.

² Delay the introduction of solid foods until your baby is at least six months old, when his/her digestive tract and immune system are better developed. The main foods that pose a high allergy risk include cow’s milk, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts (such as hazelnuts, walnuts, cashews, almonds, chestnuts, macadamias and pistachios), fish and other seafood. Other foods – even staples such as fruits, vegetables, meats, soy and cereals – also have the potential to cause allergies if introduced too early. Foods should be introduced selectively, individually and gradually to allow possible observation of possible Allergic Reaction, as well as to lessen the risk of allergy.

² Mixed foods containing a variety of potential food allergens should not be given to infants until tolerance to every ingredient has been evaluated individually.

² There are no specific recommendations regarding introduction of wheat and cereals into the diets of babies older than six months. In many people's minds, wheat is a highly allergenic food, but the clinical evidence does not support this.

² FOOD Introduction Overview: Exclusive Breast Feeding first 6 Months / Strained or pureed Vegetables at 6 months / Cereals including rice, oat, barely, and millet at 7 months / Non-Citrus Fruit at 8 months after your baby gets used to wholesome vegetable and grains before being exposed to the sweet taste of fruits / After 1 years of age, Citrus Fruits like orange, lemon, lime, and grapefruit / At 9 months: strained or pureed Meats and Protein Alternatives (such as beans, peas, lentils) / Dairy Products like cottage cheese and yogurt should be avoided until after 1 years of age as these are foods that are more likely to be allergic producing.

² Aside from food…. dust, harsh soaps or detergents, ingredients in lotions, and other skin preparations may also cause allergic reactions. Parents need to make sure that the items they buy for infant care, such as diapers, lotions, shampoos, and detergent, are free of potential allergens. Many dye- and fragrance-free products are currently available on the market.

² While the above measures may mitigate the emergence of allergy they are Not 100% Guaranteed. Rather, a Child’s Genetic Predisposition to Allergy appears to remain the single major driving force for Allergy presence. In a recent Study of Infants with moderately severe Atopic / Allergy Eczema, 80% of infants demonstrated evidence of IgE Food Sensitization / Allergy at 12 Weeks despite the fact that most of the infants were breastfed (94%), and 61% had no solid food or formula exposure before the onset of atopic Eczema.

My baby is now 8 months old. The first 4 months were really difficult, i think i took her back to her doctor every week because she was screaming constantly, as it turned out she was allergic to the protein in normal formula. Now she is on a special formula where the protein is broken down to its simplest form so its easier for her to digest. She is eating normal solids now but cannot have a great deal, mainly fresh fruit & vegies. She has shown signs of allergies towards wheat, dairy, eggs, gluten, oats and berries. I have since found that i can make custard using rice milk & a gluten free custard powder. I make her cereal out of ground rice & rice milk. I make her biscuits out of rice flour that really enjoys. She loves to eat jelly. I have 3 older boys that never had any allergies, so i have found it to be a very difficult time. If anyone has any recipes that they could share it would be a great help.