Special Food Needs
How common are food allergies?
There is no need to be unduly worried about food allergies unless there is a family history of allergy or atopic disease e.g. hayfever, asthma or eczema. The incidence of food allergy in normal babies is very small (about 6 %).
The commonest foods which carry a risk of allergic reaction in babies are
- Cow’s milk and dairy products
- nuts and seeds
- eggs
- wheat based products
- fish especially shellfish
- Citrus fruits can trigger a reaction but rarely cause a true allergy
If one or both parents or a sibling has a history of food allergy or atopic disease such as hayfever, asthma or eczema, there is an increased risk of developing an allergic disorder and foods should only be introduced singly and with great care. Avoid the high risk foods (listed above) until your baby is at least six months old and it would be good to seek a doctor’s advice before introducing these foods.
Is it true that breastfeeding can help stave off potential allergies?
Yes there is evidence that breastfeeding can help prevent allergic disease. Firstly it means that you are delaying introducing foods like cow’s milk formula which may trigger an allergic reaction and secondly there are substances in breast milk that can help protect you from allergy. If there is a history of hay fever, eczema, asthma or food allergy in the family then you should try to breast feed exclusively for the first six months. Breast fed babies who suffer from eczema can be sensitive to a food you are eating and you may need to cut certain foods like dairy products out of your diet.
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