How to Allergy Proof a Child

The rates of children's food allergies are on the rise. Many parents with children at school have gotten a new education in what it means for children to have peanut or other life-threatening allergies, as classrooms nationwide are going "peanut free" even if no children have been diagnosed with allergies. It can be a pretty scary thing to contemplate your child's having to live with the risk of constant danger from such seemingly harmless activities as trick-or-treating or school parties - but is there anything you can do to reduce your child's risk of developing an allergy? Some allergies may be genetic, but other allergies are environmental in origin, and there are certain things you can do that may not absolutely guarantee your child will never develop a food allergy, but will at least cut down on the risk and/or minimize the severity.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Breastfeed your child for as long as possible. Breastfeeding protects children against a whole host of medical conditions, and strengthens their immune systems so as to protect them against allergies including lactose intolerance and eczema. If you can manage to do so, it is best to breastfeed for at least a year.

2. Choose a hydrolized formula if you are unable to breastfeed exclusively or at all. The added enzymes they contain can change milk proteins to reduce the risk of your child developing food allergies. Formulas that have been found to reduce allergy risk include brands such as Nutramigen, Good Start and Alimentum, but soy formula has not been shown to have any allergy-fighting properties.

3. Get your child out into the world - bring her to storytime at the library, to "Mommy and Me" classes, or on playdates. If your child is in daycare, this is yet one more reason for you not to feel guilty - children who are around other children on a regular basis seem to build up a certain immunity to germs and this, in turn, can help protect against their developing allergies. In much the same way, allergists advise that you not go overboard keeping a spotless house, as children need to be exposed to a certain amount of dirt in order to build up their immunity to dust, mold spores, etc.

4. Don't start your child on solid foods until he is at least 4 months old, preferably 6 months. Not only will he have an easier time swallowing at this point, but he will be less likely to develop food allergies if you wait until his system is old enough to digest the foods you introduce.

5. Stay away from lotions containing peanut oil, almond oil, or milk. These externally-applied foodstuffs have been known to trigger food allergies in babies and small children.

Tips & Warnings

• Pediatricians no longer recommend keeping away from peanut butter, strawberries or eggs until your child is a certain age - the only foods they advise waiting on are cow's milk and honey, both best left until your child is aged 12 months or older (apart from the types of foods that pose choking hazards, that is)

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