Mums and Bubs Nutrition
Mums and Bubs Nutrition – Food sensitivities and the introduction of solids
Pregnancy and motherhood is a wonderful thing, but can also be a very challenging time! Looking after yourself can take extra effort when you are already stretched and tired, but it is crucial, not only for your health, but your baby’s health as well….
Many of my clients and patients are pregnant or new mothers concerned about what they should be eating, and what and when to feed their baby.
One particular concern at the moment is avoiding certain high risk foods such as egg, wheat, cow’s milk and peanut in an attempt to prevent your child developing food allergies.
There is a vast amount of (sometimes conflicting!) information out there about health and nutrition, and it’s easy to get confused.
According to Dr. John Sinn, a neonatal specialist* and Senior Lecturer at Sydney University, it could be that the avoidance of foods such as egg, cows milk and peanut may not prevent allergies, and could even be related to the dramatic increase in severe food reactions.
For the general healthy population it’s currently recommended that during pregnancy and breast feeding no foods are avoided by the mother in an attempt to avoid allergy, not even high risk food groups such as cow’s milk, egg and nuts.
BUT (there is always a “but”!), there are still certain foods need to be watched during pregnancy for other reasons like bacterial infection (Listeria/salmonella) and heavy metals in fish which can be harmful to your baby. See my factsheet on things to watch when pregnant.
In the 1970s it was recommended to introduce solids at about 4 months. This changed in the 1980s to 3-6 months and then in the 1990s to 4-6 months. But by the 2000s it was advised to wait until after 6 months and to avoid high risk foods for many more months and even years.
During this time food sensitivities and allergy escalated.
According to the Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology & Allergy (ASCIA –see www.allergy.org.au) there is insufficient evidence to specifically delay or avoid potentially allergenic foods.
The latest recommendation from ASCIA is to introduce your baby to solids at 4-6 months old.
The reasoning behind this earlier introduction to foods is that recent research has indicated there is an “Optimal Window of Tolerance” for exposure within the 4-6 month age bracket. Introducing foods to your child at this time may decrease the chances of your child developing an allergy or sensitivity to foods, including the development of coeliac disease.
All food groups, including the high risk allergy ones like wheat, egg and cow’s milk, can be introduced carefully by the age of 9-10 months. But if you have a strong family history of allergy I recommend seeking further advice from medical and dietary consultants.
By the age of one year an infant should be eating the same as the rest of the family provided the meal does not include highly spiced dishes, rich pastries, too much fibre, too much salt or too much sugar.
However there are certain things you should avoid giving your infant, such as caffeine, or uncooked egg or honey due to the risk of bacterial infection. And for safety reasons no child should be given whole nuts under the age of 5 and even then only under supervision, as they are a notable choking hazard. I still remember the time my own son got a corn chip stuck in his throat – very scary!
30 years ago I was a new mum and completing a research degree into infant weaning habits. And now I have recently become a first-time grandmother so this subject is very dear to my heart
If you would like further information on food intolerances or healthy eating for pregnancy and children sign up for a customised meal plan and unlimited email consultations.
*A neonatal specialist is a paediatrician specialising in young babies.
