How to Prevent Pollen Allergy in Infants

My son Jacob as an infant

Allergies are a common problem due to environmental pollutants and modern lifestyles. Allergies can also develop at any time in our lives because our bodies are continually changing and adapting to what we are exposed to. When infants suffer from allergies, it can be very distressing to the child and parents. When a baby struggles to breathe continually, his or her quality of life is greatly diminished. However, there are things that can be done to help prevent pollen allergies in infants. These steps are especially important if pollen allergies run in the family.

Things You'll Need

• Infant probiotic supplement
• Air purifier

Instructions

Breast-Feed

1. Breast-feed your baby. Breast-feeding for the first year and beyond can do wonders for any child. Breast milk is loaded with vitamins, proteins and enzymes. In addition to being the perfect food for babies, breast milk is also an immune system booster. One tiny drop of mother's milk contains millions of live white blood cells and antibodies. The flora (healthy bacteria) found in breast milk also helps the immune system and digestive tract to remain healthy. Breast-feeding has been shown to dramatically reduce the incidence of allergies. (See Resources below for more information.)

2. Don't smoke or allow other people to smoke around your baby. Secondhand smoke attacks the lungs of infants and small children, making them more susceptible to environmental irritants. Allowing your child to breathe fresh air helps to ensure healthy lungs.

3. Feed your baby the right solid foods first. Diet is a key factor when it comes to preventing pollen allergies in infants. When you start your child on solid foods, be sure to slowly introduce these foods. For instance, start your child on vegetables first rather than fruit, and feed your child the same type of vegetable for one week. The key nutrients in vegetables can help to prevent pollen allergies in infants. Get your child hooked on veggies early on.

4. Give your child an infant probiotic supplement. After your child has been introduced to solid foods, give him or her a probiotic supplement. The good bacteria can help your child stay healthy. Another option is to continue to breast-feed well past the 6-month mark because breast milk already contains probiotics.

5. Buy an air purifier. Using an air purifier can help your child breathe easier and prevent pollen and other allergies from developing. Remember to change the filter often to keep the air pure; otherwise, the filter will not do the job it is intended to do.

Tips & Warnings

• If you are a new mother and you are unsure about breast-feeding, see a lactation consultant for assistance on how to get a good latch. Mothers who are determined to breast-feed have the most success. The first two weeks are the most challenging because of soreness, but the initial soreness will go away, so be sure to stick with it. Your child will thank you later on. Educate yourself as much as you can about breast-feeding. When it comes time to purchase probiotics, be sure to choose a brand that is made for infants. Select a formula that contains at least three different strands of good bacteria. Keep these supplements in the refrigerator to maintain freshness. For best results, feed your child only organic baby food.

Resources

• Breast-feeding allergies
• Web MD
• Diet