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Page 1 of 12  Because I have a daughter with a severe peanut allergy, I watch research and recommendations regarding food allergies closely.
In 2000, the AAP advised breastfeeding mothers of infants who have a family history of allergies to avoid peanuts and tree nuts and to consider avoiding cow’s milk, eggs, and fish as well. Recommendations for feeding infants included delaying solid foods until 4-6 months of age with whole cow’s milk being delayed until 12 months of age. And parents of infants at high risk of developing allergy were recommended to delay introducing eggs until 2 years of age and peanuts, tree nuts and fish until 3 years of age. But now, some of this advice has changed.
The new report released this month states that a 2003 study found no association between breastfeeding and peanut allergy, and no difference in peanut intake during lactation between mothers with and without children with peanut allergy.
Other highlights from the January 2008 AAP article regarding breastfeeding and introduction of solids in infants include: • For infants with a family history of allergies, exclusive breastfeeding for at least four months can lessen the risk of rashes and allergy to cow’s milk in the first 2 years of life. • Although solid foods should not be introduced before 4 to 6 months of age, there is no current convincing evidence that delaying their introduction beyond this period has a significant protective effect on the development of allergies regardless of whether infants are fed cow milk protein formula or human milk. This includes delaying the introduction of foods that are considered to be highly allergic, such as fish, eggs, and foods containing peanut protein. • In infants who are at high risk for developing allergies, who are not breastfed exclusively for 4-6 months, there is modest evidence that atopic dermatitis may be delayed or prevented by the use of hydrolysate formulas -- formulas that have been broken down into simpler proteins that are considered easier to digest. • There is evidence that exclusive breastfeeding for at least 3 months protects against wheezing in early life. • There is no convincing evidence for the use of soy-based infant formula for the purpose of allergy prevention. While the article points out that more research is needed, this new AAP report offers guidance based on the most recent research.
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