By: Act Against Allergy
Minimising Food Allergy Risk
Babies with a strong family history of allergy, both parents or one parent and/or sibling(s), have a greater risk of developing a food allergy than those without. However around 50% of allergic babies have no family history of allergy.
As there are currently no cures for allergies it makes sense to try to prevent them, where possible, in susceptible babies. Where there is a family history of allergy, the onset of allergic symptoms in your baby can be prevented or delayed by givig to babies a proper diet, lacking in allergenic foods. Here are some hints:
- Exclusive breastfeeding for at least six months.
Breast milk contains a wide variety of immunologically active factors, which are thought to help protect your child against the development of allergy.
If you are unable to breast feed consult your health professional who may advise on the type of formula to use. - Delay solids introduction in the baby's diet until six months.
- Select low allergenic weaning foods to be introduced first in the baby's diet, such as plain rice based products, chicken, lamb, fruits and vegetables, chosen from those foods least likely to cause an allergic reaction (link)
- Delay introduction of wheat in the baby's diet until approximately 9–10 months
- Delay introduction of more allergenic foods (add link) in the baby's diet until 1 year of age
- Avoid environmental elements such as cigarette smoke, mouldy environments, animal fur, dust mite and pollens
