Another stupid question (probably)

Re: Another stupid question (probably)

• Soap1 member

  September 2010

  Agree with the pp - if you're allergic to something, your LO may be allergic to it as well, so you might want to avoid eating those foods while breastfeeding.  Also, your baby doesn't get ALL your immunities (or else we wouldn't have to vaccinate them) so I wouldn't worry about autoimmune stuff.

  Some of the research is suggesting that the rise of autoimmune disease is actually due to the fact that we're all exposed to fewer parasites, viruses, and bacteria.  So let your baby eat dog poop! (kidding!)
  

  
  
  
  
  

  
  

  

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• lindseyenderson member

  September 2010

  Well, if you are allergic to foods, then you should be avoiding them anyway... but for seasonal allergies etc, your child may or may not inherit them- but BF is technicallly supposed to help prevent future allergies.  Autoimmune diseases can be passed through genetics.  In general BF is a good thing, cheap, and beneficial! 

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• cpmich member

  September 2010

  Definitely not a stupid question.  With breastfeeding, your baby only gets certain immunities.  Your complete immune system does not transfer over.  (This is why babies shouldn't fly on airplanes or be exposed to large crowds before 2 - 3 months.)  It is a very complex science what transfers & what doesn't.  This is why your baby still needs vaccines and gets sick as it develops its own immune system over time.
  

  There is conflicting information out there on the food allergy issue.  Recent studies have suggested that having the mom avoid common allergens (peanuts, milk, soy, etc) during breastfeeding actually makes it more likely that the baby will develop an allergic reaction when exposed later in life & that it is better (assuming that the mom is not allergic to the food) to introduce in small quantities during breastfeeding & later when foods are introduced.  You can find information on both sides of the issue though.
  

  

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• juliedooley member

  September 2010

  Actually, a project I've been working on lately discusses food allergies in children. Something that might be helpful to know is that research has shown that avoiding common allergens while breastfeeding doesn't really do anything to prevent allergies from developing in children, if they're going to develop allergies at all...and that EBF for 4-6 months is still considered one of the best ways to prevent allergies.

  If you or the baby's father have significant food allergies, your child may be at higher risk for being allergic to something too. If you aren't BF for 4-6 months, there are special formulas out there that may provide some protection.

  FYI, the research also shows that delaying introduction of common allergens like peanuts and eggs doesn't do anything to reduce food allergies. So....if you're not allergic to PB, chomp away, BF away, and don't be scared about letting your LO try it as soon as he/she's old enough to eat that kind of stuff. 

  Some kids do eventually outgrow allergies, but I think peanut allergy is one of those that never goes away. 
  

  He's growing up, but he'll always be my baby!

  Nathan--11/4/10

  ...big brother to...???? Due March 2014!
  

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