Food Allergies in Babies and Children

Is your baby extra-irritable after eating? Does he or she have a persistent cough, gassiness, or suffer from night-waking? If so, there may be a chance that your baby has a food allergy. Studies have shown that up to 7% of children and adults have a sensitivity to a certain food or group of foods. If you or your spouse have a food sensitivity, it is more likely that your child will as well.

There are four main areas of the body that show signs of your child's food sensitivity. These include the skin, respiratory passages, intestines and brain. You may notice a facial rash, puffy eyelids or hives on your child's body after eating a certain food. He or she may suffer from bouts of wheezing, watery eyes, or congestion, or have poor weight gain, diarrhea, or vomiting. The food sensitivity may even cause behavioral changes, such as fatigue, hyperactivity, or irritability.

In the case of food allergies, prevention may be your best shot at reducing the risk of your child developing a sensitivity to certain foods. Here are a few things that you can do early on that may help keep the risk at a minimum.

Breastfeed: If you are a mother with a food sensitivity, refrain from eating that food while pregnant, as well as while breastfeeding your baby. Breast milk itself, though, has been shown to aid in the reduction of food allergies in babies. It contains an immunoglobulin that acts as a protective barrier in your baby's intestines, keeping the allergens out of the bloodstream. Because of this, it is beneficial to breast feed your baby during his or her first year of life.

Don't Rush: Don't be in a hurry to introduce solid foods to your baby. The longer you wait, the more likely his or her intestines will be able to handle the proteins in foods and keep allergens from entering the bloodstream. Items with a high amount of protein include those containing wheat, soy and dairy. Other high-allergy foods include shellfish, tree nuts, peanuts, and egg whites. When you do decide to introduce solids, begin with low-protein items, such as rice cereal, fruits and vegetables.

Go Organic: Or at least fresh. Try to feed your child fresh fruits and vegetables, and stay away from foods with additives. Food colorings, such as yellow dye #5 and red and blue dyes, have also been shown to cause negative reactions in children.

If you suspect that your child has a food allergy, discuss the matter with your pediatrician. He or she may perform a skin or blood test to determine the allergy, or may suggest that you follow an elimination diet with your child to detect the food sensitivity.

If you do find that your child is sensitive to a certain food or group of foods, steer clear of those items. Even if a food only causes a rash now, the reaction may cause respiratory distress the next time your child eats it. Become a pro at reading labels. Be aware that some allergens may be listed under other names. For instance, wheat flour may be listed as durum semolina or farina on a label.

The good news is that you are in charge of what your baby eats. You can do your part to ensure that your baby has the least chance of acquiring a food allergy and, if a sensitivity is detected, keep your baby healthy by eliminating those items from his or her diet.

Sources:
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