How Your Diet During Pregnancy and Breastfeeding Can Influence Your Child’s Risk of Food Allergies

When preparing for a new baby, many parents have questions. One big concern is how a mother’s diet during pregnancy and breastfeeding might affect the baby’s risk of developing food allergies.

This topic has sparked much research. Some experts believe that exposing babies to potential allergens before they start solids could help their immune systems accept these foods later on. But the science isn’t settled yet. Here’s what we know.

A food allergy occurs when the body mistakenly identifies a food as harmful. Common allergens in Australia include egg, cow’s milk, peanuts, tree nuts, and wheat, among others. Symptoms can appear quickly and may include swelling, hives, or difficulty breathing.

During pregnancy, allergens can cross the placenta and enter the baby’s system through amniotic fluid. After birth, breast milk continues this exposure, which may help the baby’s immune system learn to tolerate these foods.

A study showed that babies whose mothers ate foods like egg, peanut, and cow’s milk while breastfeeding had higher levels of protective antibodies. This suggests that a varied diet may help reduce allergy risks.

Despite these insights, conclusive evidence on the best diet for preventing allergies is lacking. Research results are mixed due to different methodologies and population variances. For example, the ongoing PrEggNut Study is examining how a mother’s intake of egg and peanut affects allergy development in her child. Over 2,100 mothers are participating, and results are expected next year.

Another research effort, the Nuts For Babies Study, is exploring if breastfeeding mothers who eat more peanuts and cashew nuts can lower their baby’s risk of allergies. This study is currently seeking 4,000 pregnant participants in Australia.

It’s also crucial to consider that genetic and environmental factors play a part in allergy development. According to experts, avoiding common allergens during pregnancy and breastfeeding might not be necessary, unless the mother has a known allergy. In fact, current guidance suggests that introducing allergens early, around six months, can help prevent allergies.

Consistently including these foods in a baby’s diet, at least once a week, may further reduce allergy risks. While we wait for more research, exposing babies to potential allergens seems to be the way to go.