The Elimination Diet, Breastfeeding & Eczema

You breastfeed because you want what's best for your new baby. Any new mother needs to remember that whatever she eats, so will her baby. Nutrients transfer from the mother's body into the baby's body via her breast milk. If a child has an allergy to a certain food the mother is eating, it may manifest itself as a skin rash known as eczema. Using an elimination diet can help you determine what food you baby is allergic to.

Eczema

Eczema describes a skin condition marked by red, itchy, blotchy patches. It usually occurs as an allergic reaction and is not uncommon in infants. The appearance of eczema can signal an allergy to many things, such as a food, fabric, lotion or soap. Pinpointing the allergy can help reduce signs of eczema.

Breastfeeding and Allergies

Breast milk is affected by the food that you eat. According to "The Breastfeeding Book" by Martha Sears, R.N. and William Sears, M.D., in the first six months of life, an infant's digestive tract is not fully developed. This can leave the baby susceptible to certain allergens in the milk. These may manifest themselves as an eczema-like rash.

The Elimination Diet

Most new mothers should not restrict what they eat. However, if your baby begins showing signs of a rash, such as eczema, you may need to restrict your diet. Using an elimination diet is the best way to pinpoint what your baby is allergic to. If you suspect a food may be causing eczema, stop eating it for two to three weeks. If the rash disappears, it is likely that the suspect food was the culprit. If eczema persists, try eliminating another food and repeat until the rash is gone. It is essential that you wait two to three weeks with each food because certain proteins may take at least one week to exit your system and another week to exit the baby's system.

Allergy-Inducing Foods

If you are not sure where to start, there are certain foods known for triggering allergic reactions in breastfeeding infants. The most likely foods to cause eczema are milk products, soy, wheat, corn, eggs or peanuts. Since allergies tend to run in families, you might also eliminate a food that a close family member is allergic to. Other considerations may be a food you are eating in abundance, or a food you just recently started eating.