Sister allergic to nuts, family with other allergies - should I avoid while bfing?

[JeanetteL]

Hi all,
I have to admit I have not given this all much thought before, as I have lived (knock wood) almost 30 years of allergy free existance.

However, I have a 7 wk old dd who I am pretty sure is reacting to dairy (bad colicy symptoms, major spitting up) and I'm not sure what else. Most of the rest of my family have food allergies/sensitivities, at least as migrane triggers. Many have IBS or related problems, and there are lots of non-food reactions as well (mold, etc) resulting in breathing problems, migraines, etc.

My sister has just recently (in the last year and a half) started reacting to nuts - she experiences breathing problems and a feeling of itching/swelling in her throat. Has not had a major reaction yet, but carries at epi pen. The first sign that it had gotten more serious was when she attended a ball game recently, someone was shelling and eating peanuts near her, and she could feel her symptoms beginning just by being close to them from the particles in the air.

Anyway, that whole long intro to ask - should I be avoiding nuts, or other family allergy triggers while breastfeeding? I did have a month of abx while pregnant as well (serious kidney infection that left me hospitalized) and I've read that that can predispose a baby to allergies as well - is this correct?

Any information you can give, or reading suggestions would be great.

Thanks
Jeanette

[luvmy3boys]

Originally Posted by JeanetteL

Anyway, that whole long intro to ask - should I be avoiding nuts, or other family allergy triggers while breastfeeding? I did have a month of abx while pregnant as well (serious kidney infection that left me hospitalized) and I've read that that can predispose a baby to allergies as well - is this correct?

Yes, you should avoid any family allergy (and it looks like from your post you should avoid dairy, too) and yes, antibiotics during pregnancy (or in infancy) can cause allergies. nak or I'd write more

[crunchy_mama]

I am not an expert, but from what I understand any family history of allergies, makes your child more likely to have allergies. Also, delaying solids as long as possible is very good. I would try best to avoid the biggest offenders. I think there is a sticky about starting solids in the allergic child, this would probably be helpful. good luck.