According to the American Academy of Allergy and Immunology, a child’s risk of developing allergies is about 25% if one parent has allergies and up to 66% if both parents are affected. Research appearing in Medical Tribune (July 23, 1992;30) suggests that breastfeeding mothers may be able to reduce this risk through dietary changes. The study involved 58 breastfeeding mothers and their infants from families with a history of allergies. The mothers were placed on a hypoallergenic diet and avoided common allergens such as eggs, dairy, fish, nuts, wheat, and citrus for one year. Their homes were also treated to reduce dust mite exposure. A separate group of 62 mothers and infants served as controls.
After one year, 40% of infants in the control group developed allergies, compared to only 13% in the intervention group. The incidence of asthma was also lower in the test group (7%) compared to controls (19%). These findings suggest that maternal diet and environmental allergen reduction during breastfeeding may lower the risk of allergies and asthma in children. Parental smoking remains a significant and independent risk factor for the development of childhood allergies.
