Breastfeeding doesn’t typically cause food sensitivities or allergies in children. And while studies have shown that exclusive breastfeeding can prevent or delay certain allergies, several factors influence allergy risk.
These factors combine environmental and genetic variables, with breastfeeding acting as a small portion of the puzzle. So, can breast milk reduce potential food allergies in children? Read on to see what an ENT doctor in Philly has to say about this topic.
Children and Allergic Reactions
Children and babies can experience a wide range of allergic reactions, varying in severity. Examples of common allergies known to afflict children include, but are not limited to:
• Asthma
• Allergic rhinitis
• Eczema
• Skin allergies (it mainly affects children below the age of 4)
• Food allergies
An allergic reaction can occur because of an unexpected immunologic change in the child’s immunoglobulin E (IgE). IgE refers to an antibody created by the body’s natural immune system. On the other hand, some reactions are non-IgE mediated.
These are the reactions that involve basophils and mast cells. Some children are born with a natural predisposition to allergic reactions. However, they may fail to get a reaction until they continue to become exposed to a specific allergen.
There are documented cases where certain allergies haven’t manifested until later on in life.
Antibodies Present in Breast Milk
Breast Milk contains up to five different antibodies, namely:
• IgE
• Immunoglobulins A, D, G, and M
Each of the antibodies mentioned above serves a different purpose in the body, but their main role is to keep allergies at bay and ensure the baby remains healthy.
Although additional research is necessary, there’s evidence to suggest that passing these antibodies to the baby can assist in preventing certain allergies. Breast milk is the best way to pass them to children, especially those with a history of allergic reactions.
It’s important to note that these antibodies may fail to have any effect on some babies.
What Does Research Say About Breast Milk and Allergic Reactions?
It’s challenging to execute a study on allergic reactions because of several factors. Factors that may make it hard to complete such a study include:
• Maternal diet (it’s considered one of the most significant factors)
• Genetic factors
• Food introduction
Nonetheless, many studies have helped authenticate the role played by exclusive breastfeeding in keeping allergic reactions at bay. Some of these studies have shown the impact that breastmilk can have on a child, even if she only receives it for a month.
There are also indications that exclusive breastfeeding in the first four months can assist in protecting the baby against certain allergic reactions. Examples of these conditions include atopic dermatitis and milk allergy.
Other studies on this subject matter have suggested:
• Avoidance diets can’t help prevent allergic reactions: A few years ago, breastfeeding women were at times advised not to consume foods linked to known allergic reactions, e.g., shellfish, peanuts, nuts, eggs, wheat, soy, and milk. Studies conducted recently have shown that there’s no known link between allergy prevention and maternal exclusion diets.
• Breastfeeding can assist in ‘boosting’ a child’s immune response: Researchers conducting a mouse study found that breast milk contains complex food proteins that come into contact with the antibodies in her body. Once combined, the solution gets passed on to the child during breastfeeding. The child’s immune system absorbs these antibody complexes allowing their immune system to trigger the production of cells that can protect her against allergic reactions. The same process can also occur in human children and their mothers. Scientists, however, believe that further research is necessary to ascertain these claims.
• Breastfeeding and breastmilk can’t reduce the risk of an asthma attack.jaci.2017.10.022) Researchers undertook a large-scale study focusing on more than 330,000 British adults and published the results of their findings in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology. The study concentrated on self-reported information. Its findings suggested that breastfeeding when young doesn’t play any role in preventing the development of hay fever and asthma later in life.
• According to some studies, breastfed children have a reduced risk of developing eczema: Breastfeeding and supplementing using a hydrolyzed infant formula or exclusive breastfeeding can reduce the risk of developing eczema.
What Does the American Academy of Pediatrics Have to Say About Breastfeeding?
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that mothers breastfeed their newborns exclusively for about six months. Depending on the infant’s and mother’s desire, breastfeeding can continue for a further year or even longer.
Where this isn’t possible for any reason, the mother should consider using standard cow’s milk-based formula. It’s a viable and highly recommended alternative to normal breastfeeding.
Is It Possible to Transmit Allergies to a Baby Through Breastfeeding or Breast Milk?
Health experts believe that it’s rare for a mother to transmit allergic responses to their children through breastmilk. In rare situations where this occurs, the most common suspect is the presence of cow’s milk in the mother’s daily diet.
Though very few trace amounts of proteins can get transmitted to a child from cow’s milk when breastfeeding, there are instances when this can cause an allergic reaction. When such a reaction does occur, some of the symptoms that show up include:
• Colitis
• Poor sleep patterns
• Extreme paleness
• Acute diaper rash
• Hives
• Vomiting
• Eczema
• Chronic diarrhea
• Unwillingness to feed
• Incessant crying
• Colic
It’s considered rare for a baby to develop an allergic reaction to cow’s milk brought about by breastfeeding. But it does occur in around 1 percent of all breastfed babies. Ensure you contact your ENT immediately if your child develops any of the symptoms listed above.
Current recommendations from doctors and pediatricians are that there’s no need to avoid allergenic foods unless you already suffer from a known allergy. As such, you don’t have a reason to leave out nuts and dairy from your diet when breastfeeding.
Consider switching to baby formula if your child develops an allergic reaction to an allergen transmitted during breastfeeding. However, you can try eliminating the said allergen before making the full switch to baby formula.
When switching to a formula, remember to find one free of the allergen. Some formulas available today are derived from cow’s milk and may cause the same symptoms like those listed above.