Baby Allergies


Allergies are caused by food proteins that leak into the bloodstream and are mistaken (by the body) for bacteria or germs, causing the immune system to react in the wrong way. Your child is more likely to develop allergies if you or your partner suffer from them, but there is a good chance he will grow out of them.


Signs of an Allergic Reaction

In some sever cases, an allergic reaction may trigger anaphylaxis. This is a life-threatening condition which causes swelling in the mouth and through, making breathing very difficult. It can occur anywhere after a few minutes of eating, and up to two hours afterwards. Thankfully, this reaction is quite rare.

A food allergy comes into play when your body reacts to a generally harmless substance as if it were harmful. The immune system kicks into gear and begins producing antibodies which trigger the release of histamine; this is what causes the symptoms listed above.

Aside from food allergies, which can be outgrown, there are two common food intolerances which your child will not be able to grow out of. These foods will most likely have to be avoided throughout his life, with respect to the possibility of scientific breakthroughs.

This first type of food intolerance is lactose intolerance. This means your child is unable to properly digest the natural sugar in milk and other milk products (such as yogurts and cheeses). Symptoms range from bloating, cramps, flatulence and diarrhea. Thankfully there are alternatives to these products on the market today, such as soy milk, lactose-free milk and the like.

It’s worth it to note that some people believe that lactose intolerance wouldn’t occur if the milk offered has not been pasteurized. This stems from the belief that the microorganisms needed to help breakdown the sugar in the milk were killed through the heat of pasteurization. If this sounds plausible to you, if may be worth looking up and experimenting with.

The second type of intolerance is cause by the proteins found in grains. This is referred to as gluten intolerance.

So what exactly is gluten? Gluten is the protein found in such grains as wheat, rye, barley, and sometimes oats. If intolerant to gluten, when the substance comes into contact with your baby’s intestines, the intestinal lining becomes smooth. This prevents nutrients from being absorbed properly by the body. Symptoms include: nausea, stomach pain, weight loss, diarrhea and irritability.

Foods with gluten should never be given to children under 6 months of age. The older your baby, the less likely his intestines are going to develop gluten intolerance (also known as celiac disease). However, if your baby has been diagnosed with celiac disease, he will have to permanently avoid such gluten-filled foods as breads, pastas and cereals. If this is the case, contact your pediatrician in order to draw up a diet plan to make sure your baby is still getting the right amount of nutrients. Thankfully, more and more stores are stocking up on a nice range of gluten-free products, including breads and cookies.

Reduce Your Baby’s Risk of Allergies

  1. Breastfeed for as long as possible. If you’ve got a history of allergies in the family, avoid consuming the foods in question while breastfeeding.
  2. Do not start weaning your child until after 6 months of age.
  3. Consider delaying dairy products until your child is 12 months old, and eggs until he is 2 years old.
  4. Try to avoid introducing any nuts until he is around 3 years old.
  5. When you begin including solid foods into your baby’s diet, be sure to do it gradually. Introduce one new food at a time and wait a few days, keeping an eye out for any allergic reactions.