Avoiding food allergies

Glamour Magazine

You can't allergy-proof your baby, but you may be able to reduce the likelihood of allergies developing.
The best predictor of whether a child will have food allergies is if her parents or siblings are allergic-not just to food, but to anything. According to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology, if one parent has any kind of allergy, the estimated risk of the child developing allergies is 48 percent; the child's risk grows to 70 percent if both parents have allergies. So if they run in the family, you might want to take some steps to limit your child's exposure to common food allergens. Here are some recommendations from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP):

Don't eat peanuts during pregnancy: It's been shown to increase the incidence of peanut allergy in children. Studies are inconclusive regarding other allergens, such as eggs, milk, and fish--and given the essential role of these foods in providing balanced prenatal nutrition, no dietary restrictions are currently recommended. (While some soon-to-be mothers are super strict about their diets, others are a bit more relaxed. Contrary to popular public opinion--there's nothing wrong with that.)

Breast-feed exclusively for six months: By doing so, you reduce your infant's exposure to cows' milk and soy, the primary components in most infant formula. Nursing has been shown to lower rates of infant eczema and to regulate the immune system. If it's not possible to breast-feed exclusively, choose hypoallergenic formula brands, such as Enfamil's Nutramigen and Similac's Alimentum.

Avoid peanuts while you're breast-feeding: Again, studies show lower levels of allergy when nursing mothers avoid peanuts. Research results for other foods are mixed, so the AAP suggests that avoidance diets while nursing be determined on a case-by-case basis.

Wait to start solid foods: Allergic eczema has been found to be more common in kids fed solids before 6 months.

Delay introducing allergenic foods: The AAP suggests that children not be fed cows' milk until they are 1 year old. Eggs should be avoided until 2, and tree nuts, peanuts, and fish (e.g., cod, whitefish, and shellfish) until kids are 3.

Get Tested: Learn about the pros and cons of the three most popular allergy-testing options.

--By C. S. Mauldin

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