Search Results for: breast feeding and allergies

Breastfeeding Increases Allergies and Asthma?

A new longitudinal study suggests that moms who have allergies, who exclusively breastfeed may increase the risk of allergies, asthma and eczema in their infants. The study supposedly shows that while breastfeeding protects infants, it actually increases the incidence of asthma and/or allergies later in life. In addition, the study found it offered no protection from skin reactions among children without a family history of allergies. The research was done in Australia and is published in the US-based Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology. The researchers who did this study are saying that it should spark reconsideration of recommendations to … Continue reading →

U.S. Dietary Guidelines for Babies and Toddlers

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The U.S Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee has issued new dietary guidelines for Americans, specific to a person’s age. Part of the report advises parents what to feed their babies and toddlers. The Committee found that breastfeeding may reduce the risk of overweight or obesity, type 1 diabetes, and asthma, as compared to never being breastfed. The study found evidence that suggests that a longer duration of breastfeeding is associated with a lower risk of type 1 diabetes and asthma, but it was unclear what the optimal duration of breastfeeding is. The report also mentions complementary foods and beverages (CFB). These … Continue reading →

When Your Baby Has Food Allergies

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Recently, I decided to get my baby tested for food allergies. With the history that my two boys have had, I just wanted to make sure that there were no lingering issues as we moved forward with food trialing. I had been suspicious that eggs were causing a problem with my little one when I was breastfeeding. It was one of the foods I had cut out of my diet when he was having all of his tummy issues. But, none of my children have ever been diagnosed with your typical IgE food allergies. IgE stands for Immunoglobulin E which is … Continue reading →

The Emotional Roller Coaster of Breastfeeding

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The post-partum period is a roller coaster of emotions. At least, it always has been for me. The sleep deprivation, the joy of being a mother all over again, the stress of making sure that you are doing everything just right. Breastfeeding seems to go right along for the ride in that roller coaster. I have been blessed to breastfeed my two older children for 14 months each. It was a difficult and beautiful time in my life and theirs. We bonded. I wanted it to end one day, and dreaded the time I would wean the next. This time … Continue reading →

10 Breastfeeding Facts from WHO

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American society seems to have a different attitude toward breastfeeding sometimes than the world at large. I was shocked when I started nursing my first child a few years ago to learn that the World Health Organization recommends breastfeeding until the age of 2. I had always thought that one year old was the recommended age, although I knew that many cultures breastfeed far beyond that. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends breastfeeding until 1 year. I have always breastfed my children until about 14 months of age. I am determined to breastfeed. This has not been an easy task … Continue reading →

When It Is a Struggle To Breastfeed

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Many women have difficulties when trying to breastfeed. I’ve never really put myself in that class of women because I’ve always had an ample supply, and my babies have always latched on easily. This baby is no different. However, I found myself wanting to give up breastfeeding last week. I was in a lonely place. I was severely sleep deprived due to 3 nights of pretty much no sleep as I trialed eggs in my diet to see if my little guy could tolerate them. He can’t. I realized, that I also have a struggle with breastfeeding, but it is … Continue reading →

Food Allergies and Family History

There are many reasons why knowing your family health history is important to taking care of your own health and the health of your children. Understanding certain health risks comes from knowing your family’s health history going back a generation or two. For food allergies, however, it is only important to know what you and your baby’s other parent are allergic to. Children with a parent who is allergic to a food are twice as likely to develop an allergy to that food than children without an allergic parent. If both parents are allergic to a food, than the baby … Continue reading →

The Link Between C-Sections and Childhood Asthma

Did you deliver your baby by c-section? If so, your little one may have a higher risk of developing asthma than a child who was delivered vaginally. This is according to a study published this summer in the July 2008 issue of The Journal of Pediatrics. The study took a look babies born in Norway between the years of 1967 and 1998 and then followed up with those same children through the age of 18 or the year 2002, which ever came first. The researchers found that those children who were born through a c-section had a 52 percent increased … Continue reading →

Link Between Second-Hand Smoke and Allergies

Here is another warning against exposing your baby to second-hand smoke. A recent study took a look at infants who are exposed to second-hand smoke and found a link between that exposure and the risk of developing allergies, both indoor inhalant allergies and food allergies. Since food allergies can easily be deadly and inhalant allergies can lead to asthma, the results of this study are important to note. The study took place in Sweden. There were 2,534 children in the study, and each child was followed from birth through the age of four years old. The study found the following … Continue reading →

One Breast Gives More Milk than the Other: Is This Normal?

Is it normal to have one breast produce more milk than the other? How can you tell? And, does this output of milk ever change? Here are some answers. First, let me assure you that as long as you have established a good nursing relationship with your baby, you will produce as much milk as your baby needs. Your baby won’t suddenly starve if you have been producing milk and nursing successfully. Second, you should know that yes, it is perfectly normal for one breast to produce more milk than the other breast. Why does this happen? Well, I personally … Continue reading →