Breastfeeding does not exclude the development of a food allergy in a child. This is because allergens from foods eaten by the mother can pass into the milk and into the baby's body with it. What to do if a breastfed baby has symptoms of food allergy?

Breastfeedingobviously reduces the risk offood allergy in a child , but does not rule it out completely. From 0.5 to 2 percent of breastfed babies are at risk of developing a food allergy.

Causes of allergies in breastfed babies

  • genes - a child whose parents are both allergic has a 60 percent chance of becoming allergic if one of the parents is allergic - the chances are over 40 percent
  • early contact with allergens - feeding with mixtures, e.g. in hospital wards
  • exposure to inhalation allergens - dust, cigarette smoke, hair
  • allergens in the mother's diet
  • viral and bacterial infections, especially of the gastrointestinal tract

What is not allowed to eat while breastfeeding?

Food allergy and breastfeeding: allergens in breast milk

The most common food allergy in breastfed infants is milk protein, egg white, fish, veal, strawberries, cocoa, citrus, nuts, which are found in the mother's diet.

In the case of food allergies, the problem may be that even products recognized as super safe for allergy sufferers, such as carrots, can sensitize.

Food allergy and breastfeeding: an elimination diet

An elimination diet is a diet recommended for nursing mothers who have noticed allergy symptoms in their children. There is no one universal elimination diet - it is always determined individually. The rules of the elimination diet are simple: when you notice disturbing symptoms in a child, e.g. colic or a rash, discontinue the suspect product for 2-3 weeks. If there is no improvement within this time, restore the eliminated product and remove another product from your diet for a while - until you discover the culprit. Do not eliminate too many foods from your diet - it is better to limit yourself to the most allergenic foods - unless you or the child's father are allergic to something.atypical, it is better to exclude it.

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Pregnancy