Question about BFing and Food Allergies

cantalopes24

MH is allergic to peanuts, tree nuts, and a few other foods (anaphylactic reaction). I asked the person who was leading my breast feeding class and wasn't confident in her response so I thought I would post here. We are having a baby girl in a couple weeks and while I generally avoid foods he is allergic to, when he isn't around I am not as vigilant about it, and sometimes do eat things he can't have. Once baby is born and I'm breast feeding should I refrain from eating these foods until we know if she is allergic or not? Also, should I speak with the pediatrician about it or contact an allergist and if so what is the appropriate age to do so?

I'm sorry if this seems dumb but my concern is that if it is an issue and she has an anaphylactic reaction as a baby (does that happen??) it might not be noticed if she is sleeping when it happens. MH was much older when his allergies became a real issue so I have no idea how it affects babies. Thanks!

magdusia

i don't think you should stop eating things your husband is allergic to until you have a reason to stop. If you see your LO reacting (blood in stool, eczema, itchy eyes, tummy pains, being super uncomfortable...am i missing anything?) than start the elimination diet.

Just b/c your husband is allergic to nuts and some other things, doesn't mean your LO will have the same allergies (more chances) but it's possible she may have completely other allergies.  I think it's great that you are BFing b/c that is the best and safest way to find out if she is allergic at such an early stage. 

You can totally start looking for a pediatric allergist you like just to have on hand, but most likely he wont do any tests until she's at least 6 months old.

You got an awesome head start. 

Also, my allergist said that my second baby has higher chances to have allergies, but it can be either seasonal, food, or asthma.. (Even though my DH and i have no allergies what so ever). 

(DS is allergic to milk/soy/eggs/peanuts)

cantalopes24

magdusia:

i don't think you should stop eating things your husband is allergic to until you have a reason to stop. If you see your LO reacting (blood in stool, eczema, itchy eyes, tummy pains, being super uncomfortable...am i missing anything?) than start the elimination diet.

Just b/c your husband is allergic to nuts and some other things, doesn't mean your LO will have the same allergies (more chances) but it's possible she may have completely other allergies.  I think it's great that you are BFing b/c that is the best and safest way to find out if she is allergic at such an early stage. 

You can totally start looking for a pediatric allergist you like just to have on hand, but most likely he wont do any tests until she's at least 6 months old.

You got an awesome head start. 

Also, my allergist said that my second baby has higher chances to have allergies, but it can be either seasonal, food, or asthma.. (Even though my DH and i have no allergies what so ever). 

(DS is allergic to milk/soy/eggs/peanuts)

Thanks! MH didn't have real reactions until he was older so I really have no idea what to expect but since it's so severe for MH now I'm feeling pretty paranoid. We both also have bad seasonal allergies and asthma on both sides of our family.

magdusia

cantalopes24:

magdusia:

i don't think you should stop eating things your husband is allergic to until you have a reason to stop. If you see your LO reacting (blood in stool, eczema, itchy eyes, tummy pains, being super uncomfortable...am i missing anything?) than start the elimination diet.

Just b/c your husband is allergic to nuts and some other things, doesn't mean your LO will have the same allergies (more chances) but it's possible she may have completely other allergies.  I think it's great that you are BFing b/c that is the best and safest way to find out if she is allergic at such an early stage. 

You can totally start looking for a pediatric allergist you like just to have on hand, but most likely he wont do any tests until she's at least 6 months old.

You got an awesome head start. 

Also, my allergist said that my second baby has higher chances to have allergies, but it can be either seasonal, food, or asthma.. (Even though my DH and i have no allergies what so ever). 

(DS is allergic to milk/soy/eggs/peanuts)

Thanks! MH didn't have real reactions until he was older so I really have no idea what to expect but since it's so severe for MH now I'm feeling pretty paranoid. We both also have bad seasonal allergies and asthma on both sides of our family.

I think being aware and prepared is all you can do. Have a bottle of childrens benadryl in the house and when she's being introduced to solids, look for signs.  But since you are breastfeeding, it is the safest way for you to see if he's allergic to something.

It's scary to hear that older people get allergies.. I have several friends that developed nut allergies in their 20's and have epipens with them at all times. Makes you much more aware of signs

cantalopes24

magdusia:

It's scary to hear that older people get allergies.. I have several friends that developed nut allergies in their 20's and have epipens with them at all times. Makes you much more aware of signs

This was what happened to him. He was in a bar and took a shot of something and his throat closed up. He was 21. He has at least one ER trip a year from cross contamination of food because his reactions have outlasted the epi.

g_belle

magdusia:

i don't think you should stop eating things your husband is allergic to until you have a reason to stop. If you see your LO reacting (blood in stool, eczema, itchy eyes, tummy pains, being super uncomfortable...am i missing anything?) than start the elimination diet.

Just b/c your husband is allergic to nuts and some other things, doesn't mean your LO will have the same allergies (more chances) but it's possible she may have completely other allergies.  I think it's great that you are BFing b/c that is the best and safest way to find out if she is allergic at such an early stage. 

You can totally start looking for a pediatric allergist you like just to have on hand, but most likely he wont do any tests until she's at least 6 months old.

You got an awesome head start. 

Also, my allergist said that my second baby has higher chances to have allergies, but it can be either seasonal, food, or asthma.. (Even though my DH and i have no allergies what so ever). 

(DS is allergic to milk/soy/eggs/peanuts)

This exactly.  If it helps you feel more comfortable- you could start a food journal right away.  That way you'll be able to see "I ate xyz last night and today baby has a rash".  If you do have to do an elmination a good food diary might save you from elminating things you don't have to.