Doctors are no longer advising that babies at risk for food allergies avoid eating allergenic foods like peanuts, eggs, and fish. New research indicates that delaying the introduction of such foods will not prevent the development of food allergies, so the Canadian Paediatric Society with support from the Dietitians of Canada has issued a statement recommending parent not restrict the introduction of highly allergenic food beyond six months.
Food allergies increasing
About seven per cent of Canadian children have food allergies, some of them severe enough to cause death. Children are considered at higher risk of developing food allergies if they have a parent or sibling with food allergies or a condition linked to allergies such as asthma, dermatitis (skin conditions) or hayfever. It appears the proportion of children with food allergies is increasing and doctors don’t know why.
Mothers too should not avoid allergenic foods
In the past, pregnant or lactating women might also have avoided eating allergenic foods if they were concerned about passing food to their child that could provoke a reaction. That is no longer considered useful either. However doctors do have advice for parents when they do introduce the foods.
Listen“There is also something important,” signals Dr. Valerie Marchand, of the Canadian Paediatric Society. “Once a new food is introduced it should be consumed regularly to help maintain tolerance to that food.”
These are general recommendations however and Dr. Marchand says parents who are unsure should consult their own pediatricians.
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