Early Solid Food Causes Allergies? Maybe, Maybe Not

by Mary Ann Romans | More from this Blogger

13 Jul 2008 07:45 AM

One of the great questions involving baby care is the introduction of solid foods. When did you or will you start your baby on solid foods? I have seen parents all across the spectrum with this one, from those who started putting cereal in their baby's bottle at three weeks to those who waited until almost a year to introduced any form of solid food.

Pediatricians generally recommend that you delay starting solid foods until at least four to six months to reduce the chances that your child will develop a food allergy or an atopic disease. An atopic disease is one that is either caused by or linked to allergies, such as asthma, eczema, allergic rhinitis (consistent runny nose), food allergy, or inhalant sensitization (hay fever). Some studies have linked early introduction to solid foods with these diseases.

Now a new study that was published in the journal, Pediatrics finds that there may not be a link after all. In fact, this study showed the opposite affect, that a delayed introduction to solids and a less diverse diet in the first four to six months increased the occurrence of a food sensitivity. The results were inconclusive about a link to eczema or other allergies.

One question I would have about the study is the formula versus breast feeding link. Breast-fed babies are exposed to a more diverse diet than are formula-fed babies through the mother's breastmilk. Could there be a link with this diversity?

Here is my own informal study of the link between allergies and early solid foods in my own extended family. I'll take a look at seven kids. Note that since these kids are all related, there may be a genetic component.

• Kid 1: early feeding, severe eczema
• Kid 2: early feeding including early cow's milk, allergy to peanuts (severe), milk, soy, dust, and pet dander; severe eczema
• Kid 3: early feeding, no allergies
• Kid 4: early feeding, eczema
• Kid 5: delayed feeding, asthma, eczema
• Kid 6: delayed feeding, no allergies
• Kid 7: delayed feeding, no allergies.

What do you think?

Mary Ann Romans writes about everything related to saving money in the Frugal Blog, technology in the Computing Blog, and creating a home in the Home Blog. Starting June 1st, don't miss her articles in the Baby Blog. You can read more of her articles by clicking here.

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Learn more about Mary Ann Romans

Mary Ann Romans is a freelance writer, wife and mother of three children. She lives in Pennsylvania with her husband, the kids and a 16-pound cat.

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