Pediatricians Offer New Advice to Breast-Feeding Mothers of Allergic Children

• There is no convincing evidence that women who avoid peanuts or other foods during pregnancy or breast-feeding lower their child’s risk of allergies.


• For infants with a family history of allergies, exclusive breast-feeding for at least four months can lessen the risk of rashes and allergy to cow’s milk.


• Exclusive breast-feeding for at least three months protects against wheezing in babies, but whether it prevents asthma in older children is unclear.


• There is modest evidence for feeding hypoallergenic formulas to susceptible babies if they are not solely breast-fed.


• There is no good evidence that soy-based formulas prevent allergies.


• There is no convincing evidence that delaying the introduction of foods such as eggs, fish or peanut butter to children prevents allergies, but babies should not get solid food before four to six months of age.

Posted by Craig on Monday, January 07, 2008