Breastfeeding & allergy prevention.

(This article was first published in Natural Parenting magazine 5 years ago. It is still relevent today.)

A recent news story aired regarding the increasing incidence of food allergies and allergy-related illnesses evident in children today. Apparently, the newscaster stated solemnly, this increase has doctors and experts alike baffled. What is the cause and can we find a cure? They ask themselves. Perhaps we can formulate a vaccine that will reduce this problem until we can find a cure.

Unfortunately, this is in all seriousness. Fortunately with some common sense and a wholistic approach we, as parents to the future, can certainly take the prevention of potential allergy development into our own hands. Preventing allergies and intolerances really begins with well thought out pre-conception care, long before the child is even born. ‘When you were the glint in your mothers’ eye’, as my father used to say. While it is important that both parents-to-be ensure they are fit, healthy, & adequately ‘nutrient-rich’ through a wholesome, & preferably organic diet, & regular exercise program, it is equally important that we address any allergies or intolerances we may have ourselves. This is wise to do even if you are not consciously planning to conceive. Addressing these issues before you conceive is vital as it may not only be impeding nutrient absorption on your own part, it will also be one less ‘taint’ you pass on to your child.

A pregnant mother donates everything in her body to the blossoming bub within, from vitamins, to minerals, through to antibodies for immunity. In particular -the antibodies produced against maternal allergens. If the mother-in-waiting falls pregnant by serendipity and continues eating foods that she may have a sensitivity to, either known or unknown, each time an immune response occurs and rest-assured those antibodies also transfer through the placental bloodstream to the baby. However, all is not lost;  suspected allergens can be eliminated during pregnancy. On a side note, it would be interesting to see if there was any correlation between unknown food intolerance and the common ailments experienced during pregnancy such as morning sickness.

The process of birth as nature intended THROUGH the birth canal, also sets the scene for the development of the child’s immunity. By passing through the canal, the baby picks up the beneficial flora living there that in turn populate the baby’s gut and lays an important foundation in healthy digestive and immune integrity. Children born by a caesarean surgical procedure definitely benefit from supplemental pro-biotics in the newborn period. (Alternatively, I have heard of women who ask for a vaginal swab to be wiped onto her nipples after the surgery so the babe still acquires the beneficial flora when he/she first latches on) When the child is born, this physiological exchange between mother and child continues in a beautiful picture of symbiosis, with breastfeeding being the all-important but often missing link. The child’s newborn digestion is still somewhat immature. After all it hasn’t had to rely on these processes in the womb. The newborn stomach has a near neutral pH, and pepsin (the enzyme that breaks down protein) is typically low for the first several months. This means that proteins tend to escape breakdown in the newborn stomach and are absorbed directly into the intestinal lumen (lining). This lack of digestive ability means to ensure the increased survival of antibodies in the mother’s milk, including those in colostrum. Breast-fed infants are therefore more resistant to intestinal infection than the unfortunate formula-fed baby. Babies receive antibodies both before and after birth. Coupled with this inability to break down proteins, it has also been postulated that the baby is born with an intentional ‘leaky gut’ enabling these proteins to pass through the intestinal lining.[1]

While food allergies may be passed on during the pregnancy, allergies or intolerances may also develop due to either one or a combination of factors such as vaccination, antibiotic use, formula feeding and/or introducing solids too early.While it is beyond the scope of this article to argue the case against vaccination, it can be summated that the neonatal immune system up till two years is immature[2] and largely incapable of dealing with such a massive onslaught of live or ‘attenuated’ virus plus the usual cocktail of neurotoxic adjuvants. As a whole, it must be remembered that vaccination really replaces the best ‘immunisation’ a child will ever get, and that is through extended breast-feeding. Not to mention the essential colostrum a child receives to begin this wonderful gift. In regards to vaccination, however, what defence does a child have against foreign proteins (such as with introducing solids too early) when their fledgling immune system has already been grossly compromised?

In 1974, Dr John W Gerrard wrote, ‘we presumed that the function of breast milk was little more than the provision of nourishment. We now know that breast milk also provides effective protection, more effective than antibiotics, against certain common enteric pathogens, and that it can also be expected to provide relative freedom in infancy from allergic disease, a growing problem of modern feeding habits.’[3]The WHO (World Health Organisation) has recently recommended that children be breastfed until at least two years of age. As we know that this exchange doesn’t just stop at the immune enhancing qualities of colostrum, but adapts to the daily needs of the growing child.[4]The use of antibiotics in infancy (often to counteract side effects of vaccines) can also lead to the development of food allergies by stripping the baby’s gut of the fragile colonisation of beneficial gut flora as well as damaging the gut environment. Although the mechanism of how it occurs is poorly understood beneficial gut bacteria has also been shown to be transferred in breast milk as well as during the birth process as mentioned above.

While vaccination and antibiotics certainly increase the risk of potential allergies, the early introduction of solids, in particular cereals and other animal products can bear significant contribution to poor health and on-going health problems. As discussed above, a baby’s digestive ability is unable to breakdown proteins in order to process the mothers’ donated antibodies. If foreign proteins are fed to the infant the proteins can escape digestion and due to their ‘foreign’ status can generate an immune response. It is said that when a baby has his/her first couple of teeth, it is a sign that the gut has ‘sealed’ and the digestive ability has somewhat normalised. I must admit that I erred on the side of caution and waited until my son was nine months before introducing solids, albeit a banana. (He had about four teeth by then)  He is now a happy, healthy, energetic 20 month old, with breast milk still his main staple.

It saddens me to see product labels advocating food (cereal or dairy-based, or even worse -meat) suitable for 3-4 months old. The importance of breastfeeding cannot be stressed enough. If for any reason there are concerns over this, please do your child a favour and consult a qualified natural health care professional or La Leche League or the Australian Breast Feeding Association.

So, when is the best time to introduce solids, free of any potential allergy development? In a recent La Leche League newsletter, Margaret Kenda offered some sound advice;

‘Your baby can tell you just when supplemental food is a very good idea and when the time has not yet come. Here are some signs that your baby is ready, physically and emotionally:· Your baby can sit up, with support. Your baby has control of his head and neck.· Your baby has plenty of saliva to begin digestion of food.· Your baby has the ability to transfer food from the front to the back of the mouth. Your baby’s throat muscles have developed a stronger, more mature swallowing ability. Babies are born with a tongue-thrust reflex, so that their instinct is to push food outward and forward. That’s survival instinct, so that the baby will not choke on food or other substances. This instinct disappears after about four months, when the baby has developed other options, such as chewing and swallowing.· Your baby has a tooth or two. This should be at five to seven months old.· Your baby is capable of refusing food. The ability of turning away and indicating a negative decision does not develop until the baby is about five months old.· Your baby likes to imitate other people. Your baby is showing distinct interest in other people’s food. Your baby reacts with interest to the sights, sounds, and odours of cooking.· Your baby can reach and handle and perhaps try to taste or eat-food, toys, and other objects.· Your baby is not ill and has no rashes, including actual teething.’[5]

Contrary to popular belief and unwanted advice, introducing solids won’t make your baby sleep better at night, make them grow faster, or provide superior nutrition.

These are just some simple common sense guidelines to think about in order to prevent potential allergies in your kids, particularly if there is a family history. I encourage you to further take responsibility into your hands by researching issues, such as birth, breastfeeding, and vaccination, that affect your kids lives, not only now but over the long term, and for generations to come.

[1] Brody,T. 1999 . Nutritional Biochemistry. Academic Press. San Diego. USA pp136-137 [2] Carnochan,M 2003 Informed about immunity. The child’s immune system in review. Sanctum Vitalis. Sydney. Aus.[3] Cited in La Leche League 1988 The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding. Angus & Roberston publishers. London UK. p285.[4] http://www.who.int/child-adolescent-health/NUTRITION/infant_exclusive.htm Exclusive breastfeeding.[5] Kenda, M. Begin the Best foods at the Best Times. New Beginnings. Vol.18 no.4 Jul-Aug 2001.