Drawing by Gonneke and released into public domain on Wikimedia Commons
Buffalo-based author and public speaker Lisa Lundy writes extensively about food allergies and children. She is anaphylactic to tree nuts and coconut, and has three children who also suffer from food allergies. In her book The Super Allergy Girl Allergy & Celiac Cookbook (Lisa A. Lundy, 2007), she spends some time discussing food allergies and breastfeeding.
With her first child, she noticed that he had a persistent diaper rash that did not go away until she removed dairy, onions, garlic, and tomatoes from her diet. Her second child had problems breastfeeding when she ate foods high in whet, gluten, dairy, or soy. Her third child has the most severe allergies, and by the time she came around, Lisa knew to experiment with her own diet to see how it affected her baby.
Lisa recommends using an elimination diet to try to pinpoint what is bothering your breastfeeding baby. Remove any potential triggers from your diet and introduce them back one at a time, until you find something that irritates your baby. After all, whatever you eat, your baby also eats.
Consider switching to formula, instead. Even then, you may have to try different formulas. Consult with your pediatrician for his recommendations.
When making any changes to your diet due to suspected food allergies, it is imperative to stay in close contact with your physician, and your child's pediatrician. It's also important as you are making changes to your baby's diet. As food allergies can be fatal, early detection is key.
For more information on Lisa Lundy and her Super Allergy Girl Cookbook, you can visit her website.
Read more by Rochester Family & Parenting Examiner. Subscribe by clicking the button above. Also check out my articles as the Rochester Children's Books Examiner and Rochester Montessori Education Examiner. Follow me on Twitter @AndreaCoventry.
Comments
This is an important topic, thank you for writing about it. I think it's important to note that when possible, breastfeeding is very helpful to children with food allergies. Simply switching to formula may be difficult, or even dangerous. The two most common types of formula in America are made from MILK and SOY - two of the eight most common allergies. There are special non-allergenic formulas, but I believe you need a Rx for them - and they are super-expensive.
My daughter is allergic to eggs, milk, soy and peanuts. I am breastfeeding her and avoiding all of those foods to keep her safe. It's a lot of work, but the best thing I can do for her. She's getting calcium and other nutrients from my breastmilk that she needs, and it's protecting her already delicate immune system. More on food allergies on my blog marketingmama.com.
I could not breast feed with either of my sons, due to meds I had to take. My younger son was allergic to the formula, and had to use soy formula. He is now allergic to soy, and I think it's because of all the soy he had to drink as a baby. He outgrew his milk allergy, thank heaven, but I had to read every label to make sure there was no soy in it.
Take Anti-ALLERGY Action NOW !
1 in 3 INFANTs > Begin Life fighting the Lifetime progression of their InHerited Allergy Disease MARCH.
Allergy MARCH Disease Progression = Allergy Parents > Allergy Infant / Birth > Eczema/Food Allergy > GI > Ear > Respiratory Issues > Allergic Rhinitis > Allergic ASTHMA > Followed by a Lifetime of Med's which ONLY Mask Symptoms > While Allergy MARCH > continues/ Exacerbates UnAbated > Leading to a Lifetime Slippery Slope of Allergy Driven Diseases & compromised Quality of Life.
It is NEVER to Late to STOP Your Child's Allergy MARCH.
Via YOUR Primary Dr. > A Simple FOOD & Enviro Allergy Blood Test WILL tell you if your Child's ALLERGY March has begun > allowing corrective / Anti-Allergy ACTION which Targets the SOURCE of Your Child's Allergy Vs Symptoms.
We can Help.
Best Health = Wealth Regards,
Stephen
DropYourAllergies.com
Lundy is a hero and I admire her experience. Remember, too, that breastfeeding moms need extra vitamin D and K in their diet. Ask a doctor to check serum levels and supplement appropriately if needed (most people I know have been deficient in vit D, nobody except me has asked for a vitamin K test.) If a person (ie mom) has allergies they may have altered intestinal flora/leaky gut. Babies have leaky gut for about 6 wks. Probiotics populate intestinal lining preventing bad bacteria from adhering to the wall, also preventing leaky gut. Dietary greens & fermented foods are 'prebiotic' and feed probiotics. This helps form vit k2 from fermentation. Some drugs may reduce vit K by altering liver function or killing intestinal flora that make vitamin K (for example, antibiotics, salicylates, anti-seizure medications, and some sulfa-drugs). These are important for bone, gut, heart health. Your gut is your immunity. I was undiagnosed celiac. Baby was colicy, tried soy w/out luck.
Got something to say?
Examiner.com is looking for writers, photographers, and videographers to join the fastest growing group of local insiders. If you are interested in growing your online rep apply to be an Examiner today!