Breastfeeding serves a purpose beyond just providing nourishment to a newborn. It controls the exposure a baby has to foods that can lead to allergies. When the immune system mistakes a harmless substance in food for a foreign invader, it creates antibodies to recognize the same element in the future. This is the basis for the development of food allergies. Breastfeeding does not completely eliminate the risk, however. The mother's diet is just as crucial to preventing allergy formation in the infant who relies on her breast milk for nutrition.
Allergies
The immune system uses antibodies as a way to identify substances that may cause illness. For some individuals, this process goes wrong. Antibodies end up flagging harmless agents such as proteins in certain foods. When a person eats the food, the system releases histamines that cause the problems that come with an allergic reaction such as skin rashes. Exposure is a prerequisite for an allergy. Theoretically, if you never have tasted shellfish, you should not become resistant to it. That is one benefit breastfeeding offers an infant.
Fighting Food Allergies
Breastfeeding is one tool a mother can use to fight infant food allergies. Since exposure is necessary for the immune system to create an antibody against foods, an infant who lives exclusively on breast milk generates fewer reactions. Keep the child on breast milk for the first six months of life, advises The University of Maryland Medical Center. This limits the ability of the immune system to flag foods as an allergen. If you need to supplement breastfeeding, stick to hypoallergenic formulas.
Mother's Diet
A breastfeeding mother must use as much care with her own diet as she does her infant. Babies get nutrients from the breast milk, and it pulls resources from the food the mother eats. This means breast milk can expose a baby to some element in foods that may trigger antibody formation. Certain foods are more common triggers, such as peanuts, eggs and cow's milk, so they should be avoided. If you do eat food known to cause allergies, avoid eating it again for at least a week. This way you control the child's exposure.
Identifying an Allergy
The symptoms of an allergic reaction are the same in an infant as an adult. The baby may develop a skin rash that itches, especially around the mouth, or have trouble breathing, leading to wheezing. The nose may get stuffy and eyes water constantly. The infant may vomit after breastfeeding or have diarrhea. If you notice swelling around the mouth or on the tongue or your child struggles to breathe, call 911 for assistance. This may indicate a serious reaction.
