Search Results for: blog ask a baby blogger early exposure to allergens

Food Allergy Treatment Drug in the Works

It seems to me that food allergies among children are far more prevalent than when I was a child. In fact, I don’t remember any kids in my grade school class having food allergies. The only friend I have with an allergy to a food is my college roommate, who is so allergic to eggs we couldn’t cook them in our townhouse without opening every window. But we grew up in the 80s. From 1997 to 2007, food allergies among children increased 18% with 3 million reported cases of childhood food allergies. One of the more common allergies is nut, … Continue reading →

Precautions to Take when Flying with a Young Child with a Peanut Allergy

You’re a parent of a young child with a severe peanut allergy. You are planning a vacation that makes it necessary to get on an airplane. The thought of being on an enclosed, peanut-ridden vehicle that circulates recycled air makes you nearly go into anaphylactic shock. What can you do to keep your child safe? First of all, you are not alone. Millions of Americans suffer from a peanut allergy. Although there is no miracle solution to the stress and anxiety you might feel, there are precautions you can take that will likely make your trip safe. To begin, make … Continue reading →

Flying with a Child with a Peanut Allergy

During each of our flights on our last vacation, Southwest Airlines provided us with complimentary snacks. It was a welcome surprise, as flying with a baby left me with a hefty appetite. I tore into the small bags of peanuts, cheese crackers, and pretzels. As I carelessly wiped my salty hands on my pants and seat, I thought of my nephew. My nephew is one of the unfortunate millions of children with a severe peanut allergy. When my brother and family come to visit, we remove any food that may have come into contact with peanuts. My nephew goes nowhere … Continue reading →

Should You Avoid Peanut Butter If You Are Pregnant?

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It’s an experience no mother wants to go through: your child eats one of the most common foods found in sandwiches and cookies all over the country and suddenly their little body reacts violently with hives, runny nose, or in the worst case, a swollen tongue and airway, which can lead to choking and ultimately, death. A combination of these symptoms in the severest form along with a sudden drop in blood pressure is called anaphylactic shock. How something as common and seemingly mild as peanuts can cause a life threatening allergic reaction in a child is shocking and a … Continue reading →

The Best of the 2007 Baby Blog

It has been an exciting year in the baby blog with a few changes in bloggers, several news stories, a few series started, and of course lots of information and reflection. This is a list of the best of the best. . .the best news, the best advice and the best of my personal favorites. With that I wish you all a Happy New Year, and look forward to an exciting year in 2008! Ask a Baby Blogger Series–This, in my opinion is one of the best things the baby blog has to offer. Granted, it’s my advice which I … Continue reading →

Breastmilk Myths Debunked

We have been having some interesting discussions in the forums about what to eat while you’re breastfeeding, largely stemming from misguided advice and perpetuated myths. There seems to be a general consensus among the grandma generation that what goes into your body comes out in your breast milk. Therefore, if you’re not eating healthy foods, or you indulge in something taboo, your baby is going to suffer when you breastfeed. So let’s be up front–breast milk is not made by what you eat. I thought I’d take some time to clear up a few myths. I Don’t Eat Healthy Enough … Continue reading →

Baby Blog Week in Review July 6 to July 15

Friday, July 6 Ask a Baby Blogger: Early Exposure to Allergens I answer the question whether or not you should avoid highly allergenic foods while pregnant or breastfeeding. Sunday, July 8 No More Pricks for Jaundiced Babies If you have had a baby who had jaundice more than a couple of years ago, it is likely that the poor little dear had to suffer through heel prick after heel prick in order to measure their level of bilirubin. Now, hospitals across the country are starting to get a machine that will make immediate diagnosis much easier. Hooray for the Transcutaneous … Continue reading →

Ask a Baby Blogger: Early Exposure to Allergens

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Question: My oldest son has a very serious peanut allergy. I have two questions. I have heard that eating peanut butter while breastfeeding can cause a peanut allergy. If this is true, could I have caused my son‘s allergies while breastfeeding him? If so, should I avoid peanuts while breastfeeding this one that I’m expecting? Or should I avoid breastfeeding this new baby altogether? One very commonly accepted theory of how young kids get allergies is that they were over exposed to the allergen very early in life. However, we don’t really know exactly why some kids are more prone … Continue reading →