Poll Results: Food Allergies and the Breastfed Baby
March 10, 2009 by Angela White, J.D., breastfeeding counselor
Filed under advantages of breastfeeding, breastfeeding, nutrition, poll
The results of the poll on allergies and breastfeeding were quite telling and the comments were helpful and insightful, especially for all those dealing with allergies in the breastfed baby. Frankly I was surprised at the number of nurslings with known or suspected allergies and the number of mothers coping with an elimination diet. An even 1/3 of respondents said that yes, their nurslings have food allergies. These pyramids (in honor of the USDA food pyramid LOL) illustrate the distribution of the 148 votes.
Let’s be clear though — breastfeeding is wonderful for babies with food allergies. Do not interpret these results to mean that breastfed babies are more likely to have food allergies, because in fact the opposite is true! To learn more about the protective effects of breastfeeding, read “‘A’ is for Food Allergy Prevention and Reduction.”
Hi,
I’ve breastfed both my two toddlers from birth. The oldest from 0-4months then on formula and he’s now 4. At 7months old he had peanut butter (by accident from a family member) and he reacted in hives and lots of swelling all over his body. Since then he has developed allergies to egg as well as peanuts.
My 2 year old was breastfed from birth up until 18months. I tried to introduce formula to him at 4weeks old a nd he was fine until i tried a gain at 3months old and he broke out in eczema on his face, neck, legs and hands. He can’t have any dairy products because he breaks out in eczema and still has moderate to bad eczema most days even though ive e liminated all the known foods he’s allergic to.
Im pregnant with our third child and my husband reckons it’s from breastfeeding as theyre more vulnerable and exposed to more toxins that triggers their allergies. And im not to breastfeed our t hird child! I’ve read a lot and d ecided there a re more benefits of breastfeeding but i can’t convince him otherwise.
I need some advice.
thanks,
Cathy