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Atopic Diseases and the Breastfeeding Connection

Can Breastfeeding Reduce the Risk of Asthma, Atopic Dermatitis and Food Allergies?

By Lisa A. Goldstein

Additionally, the old recommendation of avoiding certain foods during pregnancy has been modified. "The new report simply states that there is currently a lack of evidence that mothers' diets during pregnancy plays a significant role," says study co-author Dr. Scott Sicherer, an associate professor of Pediatrics at Jaffe Food Allergy Institute, Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York, N.Y. "The prior report suggested these mothers eliminate peanuts, nuts and possibly egg, milk, fish and other foods while breastfeeding," he says. "The new report indicates that such avoidance has not been shown to prevent allergic disease."

There is some evidence, however, that eczema may be lessened by a breastfeeding mother's elimination diet, but the studies are limited, Dr. Sicherer says.

The report also says that there is insufficient evidence that any dietary intervention after 4 to 6 months of age prevents allergic disease. This includes delaying the introduction of complementary foods.

How will this revised report change things for pregnant and lactating women?

"First, I think that each woman should consult her own health care provider and her baby's provider," says Dr. Sessions Cole, director of the Division of Newborn Medicine at St. Louis Children's Hospital and Professor of Pediatrics at Washington University School of Medicine. "Second, based on the recent AAP Clinical Practice guideline, I think women should understand that elimination diets used to try to prevent development of allergies may not benefit their babies by reducing risk of allergies and may not provide their fetuses or themselves with optimal nutrition during pregnancy or breastfeeding."

While not everyone can breastfeed, the consensus is that this method is best. As Dr. Cole says, optimizing the baby's nutritional health by breastfeeding and maintaining a healthy maternal diet should be the first priorities.

Want to see more?

• Baby's Immune System: 5 Ways to Give Baby's and Toddler's Immune System a Boost
• Food Allergies in Babies and Toddlers: Signs, Symptoms, Prevention and Management
• First Food Fights: Could Your Baby Have a Food Allergy?
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