MOTHER'S EAT FOR BABY FOOD SENSITIVITIES ALLERGY BREASTFEEDING
There are some foods that you eat while breast-feeding that your baby may be
sensitive to and may react to. Just as certain foods can cause us to have a
stomachache, the foods the mother eats can cause problems for her nursing baby.
Food sensitivities are usually temporary reactions that may not lead to a more
severe allergy.
Some families have a history of allergies and sensitivities to foods. Knowing
your family history is helpful when food sensitivities are suspected. If one
parent has an allergy there is a 50% chance the baby will inherit the likelihood
of developing it. If both parents have the same or a similar allergy, the baby's
chances go up to 80%.
Common sensitive foods include:
- Gassy foods such as cabbage, onions, garlic, broccoli, cauliflower, and
turnips which cause gas or 24-hour colic. So can too much apple or grape juice.
Moms have to moderate how much of any one product or product type she eats
or drinks while nursing.
- Spices, especially when heavily used. Babies get fussy and colicky if mom
nurses after a spicy meal.
- Mom's vitamins can be a possible offender. Some are high in iron and can
produce constipation in the little one. Some may have colorings or flavorings
baby is sensitive to and mom may have to switch to a more naturally formulated
product.
- Eggs, some fish, citrus fruits, some tropical fruits such as mango, and
peanuts.
- Caffeine in tea, coffee, chocolate, soda and some over-the-counter medications
all contain caffeine. These can cause discomfort in your nursing baby. Limit
or eliminate intake of substances containing caffeine. Learn to read labels
very, very carefully.
Symptoms that may occur after eating the offending food include:
- Fussiness
- Crying inconsolably
- Drawing up the legs to the tummy
- Nursing more often but not comforted by it
Cow's Milk Allergy
The main allergy offender is cow's milk, the primary ingredient in regular
formula. Soy -- based products were developed for these allergic babies as early
as the 1940's and many others have since been available.
Babies who are allergic to cow's milk formulas may not show any symptoms until
they have been drinking them for several days or weeks. Sometimes even a breast-fed
baby who has been given a cow's milk formula in the hospital is what is called
"sensitized" to cow's milk and goes on some time later in baby or
childhood to have a reaction to it.
Some of these reactions include:
- Vomiting,
- Chronic diarrhea,
- Colic,
- Colitis,
- Excessive crying,
- A reluctance to feed and
- Poor sleep patterns.
- Skin problems are common, as in rashes, eczema, itching, and severe diaper
rash.
As infants respond in various ways to these allergies, some may just become
very irritable or hyperactive.
If allowed to continue, children develop:
- Runny noses,
- Ear infections,
- Coughing,
- Asthma,
- Anorexia,
- Nausea, and stomachaches,
- Dark circles under the eyes and
- Frequent colds and sore throats.
- Children with bright red ears are highly suspect for allergies,
- Sinus infections and bronchitis.
This allergy restricts the breast-feeding mother from ingesting large amounts
of dairy products. Yet some can eat yogurt or ice cream but not milk. In some
cases, no dairy products are permitted. In these instances, it would be necessary
for the mother to find alternate sources of calcium.
Should you suspect that your baby has a milk allergy, contact your pediatrician
immediately. Again, learn to read the fine print on food labels. (by robynsnest.com
- Baby.TopResource.NET Reference)
HOME ARCHIVES
