[hikingmommy]

Here's an interesting article on the American Academy of Pediatrics new recommendations regarding food allergies in kids: <a href="http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080107/ap_on_he_me/diet_babies_allergies_2" target="_blank">http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080107/...es_allergies_2</a>

 

[kjbrown92]

So basically, they have no idea what causes it! Personally I think it's the average American diet that is filled with HFCS and hydrogenated oils. Who heard of all of these food intolerances 100-200 years ago? I'm reading a book called "Real Food: What to Eat and Why" by Nina Planck, and she actually hasn't mentioned food intolerances, however, she does blame "industrialized food" on a whole host of diseases. Very interesting reading.<br>
Kathy

 

[LauraLoo]

This article goes against my experience.<br><br>
I had no dietary restrictions with ds while pg and breastfeeding -- and he is anaphylatic to peanuts and cashews and allergic to most other tree nuts. He also has mild environmental allergies. His first contact with peanut butter caused major hives to a teeny tiny contact exposure.....He was obviously sensitized somehow.<br><br>
I avoided peanuts and tree nuts while pg and breastfeeding dd -- and she has no known allergies.<br><br>
DH has environmental allergies, and I have environmental allergies and mild food allergies (but not to nuts!) So, according to this article, I would not have been advised to avoid nuts while pg/bf'ing. In other information that I have read, if both parents have environmental allergies alone, they have a greater likelihood of having a child with food allergies.<br><br>
My understanding that there is little proof on whether dietary restrictions are necessary during pregnancy, but there is proof on proteins that pass through breastmilk causing senstivity.

 

[sprouthead]

I saw this article and I was wondering what moms of children with allergies would think of it- especially those that restricted their diets of following children.. Thanks for sharing!

 

[Panserbjorne]

that is perhaps the mostly poorly written thing I have read on the subject. It isn't taking into account maternal gut function in the slightest. How about if there is peanut protein in the breastmilk, mama has a leaky gut and is passively transferring proteins as well as anitigens?<br><br>
How about removing the top allergens takes a load off of mama and gives her gut a chance to heal up?<br><br>
That was pathetic at best.<br><br>
The glandular tissue in the breast migrates from the intestinal wall during pregnancy. This is a fact. They don't address it at all. A baby has no capacity for anaphylaxis in the first months of it's life. They are reacting to what MAMA is reacting to.<br><br>
You have to take this information within a context which they have failed to do. IF you are avoiding this food in pregnancy and it's working WHY IS THAT?<br><br>
It isn't just about the american diet-though that does play a part. Beyond that it's about overuse of antibiotics, heavy metals toxicity, vaccines, environmental toxins, basically anything that compromises the integrity of the gut.<br><br>
If the baby is reacting to breastmilk then the first thing you should do is look to your own body. Just about every mother I have ever spoken with or worked with that had a reactive baby had signs of food allergies herself-even if she didn't recognize it as such.

 

[Chinese Pistache]

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<div>Originally Posted by <strong>firefaery</strong> <a href="/community/forum/post/10228717"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/community/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border:0px solid;"></a></div>
<div style="font-style:italic;">that is perhaps the mostly poorly written thing I have read on the subject. It isn't taking into account maternal gut function in the slightest. How about if there is peanut protein in the breastmilk, mama has a leaky gut and is passively transferring proteins as well as anitigens?<br><br>
How about removing the top allergens takes a load off of mama and gives her gut a chance to heal up?<br><br>
That was pathetic at best.<br><br>
The glandular tissue in the breast migrates from the intestinal wall during pregnancy. This is a fact. They don't address it at all. A baby has no capacity for anaphylaxis in the first months of it's life. They are reacting to what MAMA is reacting to.<br><br>
You have to take this information within a context which they have failed to do. IF you are avoiding this food in pregnancy and it's working WHY IS THAT?<br><br>
It isn't just about the american diet-though that does play a part. Beyond that it's about overuse of antibiotics, heavy metals toxicity, vaccines, environmental toxins, basically anything that compromises the integrity of the gut.<br><br>
If the baby is reacting to breastmilk then the first thing you should do is look to your own body. Just about every mother I have ever spoken with or worked with that had a reactive baby had signs of food allergies herself-even if she didn't recognize it as such.</div>
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YEP to all of that!

 

[kjbrown92]

Two of my three children have food sensitivities and I don't have any (I went on the elimination diet when I did it with the children). My son was reactive to milk through my breast milk, but when he weaned, I found that he was reactive to soy too (and I had been eating soy during BF and he hadn't reacted). I waited until 6 months to start my next one on solids, because of him. She reacted to nothing in my breastmilk, yet she's food intolerant of about 40 foods. The pediatric GI said that we were an atopic family because my husband and I both had seasonal allergies, so we were more likely to produce offspring with allergies/intolerances (whether seasonal or food), and that was genetic, not based on diet (though we were eating industrialized food so perhaps all of that had an effect).<br><br>
After reading a couple books on Traditional Foods, I'm convinced that it is not the overuse of antibiotics in humans as much as it is the overuse of antibiotics in the meat we eat. And apparently every time they try to get the farmers to stop using antibiotics on ALL the meat ALL the time, the pharmaceutical companies spend big money to convince lawmakers that it's fine. So is not giving your child antibiotics for an ear infection really going to make a difference when the meat we eat all has residual antibiotics in it? All my children are vaccinated and all my kids have had antibiotics when I thought they needed them. And I've been eating regular old grocery store food all this time. So I'm not trying Traditional Foods to see if that helps everything in the family. Of course, now that I've had "regular" food through all my pregnancies, is it going to help at this late date?<br><br>
Kathy

 

[Panserbjorne]

As I said, most people have them and don't recognize them as such. I understand your experience, but trust me when I say that most people in your shoes tell the same story until I dig a little deeper. I had a mom the other recently who was saying the same thing. I told her that allergies are often the root cause of many illness and listed a few. She sat there stunned. She said that yes, in fact she had ALL of those things. She had no clue that her conditions were caused by IgG mediated reactions. I had her get tested and lo and behold she has several reactions.<br><br>
I beg to differ with you on the antibiotic thing. Every time we take them they have the potential to do great damage. Yes, those present in foods can be an issue as they are chronically and consistently delivered. But when you ingest them directly they have a far more profound effect, as do injectibles and environmental toxins which are also present in meat.<br><br>
How do you KNOW your son didn't react to soy? The problem is the reactions aren't always visible. And if they are, they aren't always labelled as reactions. Eczema is considered "normal" as is low level constipation, disturbed sleep, chronic ear infections amongst other things.<br><br>
I'm not picking on you, this is just not that easy of a subject.<br><br>
I know when you first hear this info it is tough. Trust me, we've all been there. But, as someone who has been in this field for awhile and has followed traditional type diets with my kids (albeit without meat...but no antibiotics, no hormones, all organic etc.) I can tell you it isn't just about the diet. I started reading those books long before I had kids, and they had a huge impact. There are just other things that need to be controlled for. There isn't a unilateral approach. There is no "one" answer. It's not that easy.

 

[Panserbjorne]

I also don't think it's genetic. I think that you can have a genetic potential, but that is far different that genetic expression. There has been quite a bit of research on this topic so I won't reinvent the wheel, but you baby can only get what you are passing down. You can optimize past that and many have. It's pretty involved issue. I have my thoughts on why people are told that, but I'm quite certain it's not true. JMO.<br><br>
Long story short, no. It's never to late to see benefit from cleaning up your diet. Good for you for taking the step. I have no doubt you will be rewarded.

 

[kjbrown92]

Believe me, I know all the reactions. People look at me like I'm crazy when I say that one of the reactions my son has to milk is to wet the bed. They say, diet doesn't cause THAT! Gee, then why when I took him off milk, did it immediately stop, then a few months later, I tested him on it again, and he immediately wet the bed? Just coincidence, I think not. Anyway, I look at EVERYTHING when I'm doing challenges. He's had a rashy ring around his mouth, bad sleeping, bedwetting, screams at night where he says his leg hurts (and contrary to popular belief - in my family and at the doctor - it is NOT "growing pains"), circles under his eyes, tantrums, crying -- all from food reactions.<br><br>
But I did an elimination diet with my daughter, and it didn't change anything for me. So how can you say that I probably still have food intolerances? Wouldn't they show up somehow? In some way? I was actually hoping it would help my back and UTIs but no such luck.<br><br>
And remember I said it was not "as much" about the antibiotics in humans vs. animals. I'm not discounting either, but most people don't talk about the antibiotic use in animals (thus getting into our butter, milk, etc.). I've been reading about this as well, for about 7 years (since my son started vomiting at every meal when he was 2 weeks old, and the doctor said it was normal, and it was also normal for him to be vomiting bile). Though I have been researching mostly "traditional" medicine, and finally I am going farther away from that and seeing that things make more sense over in the organic world. I wish I'd learned about it sooner. I was looked at kind of oddly within the people I knew because I BF for a year, when everyone else had weaned at 8 weeks or 3 or 4 months. I wish I'd known then that so many people were BF for longer. Anyway, live and learn. And I'm still learning!!<br><br>
Kathy

 

[Panserbjorne]

In adults the reactions are driven deeper. The longer and more consistently you are exposed to an allergen the more chronic and occult it can become. You will not see the kind of change you will in a child. You have far more compensations than they will have had time to develop. You have been exposed far longer and been assaulted far more. It would take a much longer time for you to see deep results.<br><br>
I'm not saying you don't know what to look for in children. I'm suggesting that it is a far different ball game with adults.<br><br>
We know that given time reactions go deeper. The first line of response is often the skin. IF left untreated it goes into the the organs. It's how allergies progress. It's why the research says that untreated eczema can become asthma. Of course it can also turn into any autoimmune condition as well as several other things. It's alot to think about.

 

[kjbrown92]

When my husband gets his bonus, I'd like to spring for testing for me and the two kids that I already know have food intolerances. Like York Labs or EnteroLabs. And get the whole work-up.<br><br>
Magnesium is helping my back. But so far nothing has helped the UTIs and it's really annoying me, which is why I'm trying to research it all the time, since 3 urologists can't figure it out! I wish it were something simple like a food intolerance so I wouldn't have to be on antibiotics ALL the time.<br><br>
I also am annoyed that my sisters-in-laws got tubes put in their kids' ears before trying food as an issue. It's obviously a problem in the family. Of course I also said that for my neice (on the other side) who always has a rash around her mouth and has asthma. Check the food!<br><br>
Kathy

 

[Panserbjorne]

I wish you luck. Sadly I doubt that it's as simple as a food sensitivity at this point. It is a cascade and left untreated they tend to progress. However, it doesn't mean that you can't fix it-just that you probably should be expecting a simple answer.<br><br>
Basically I would guess that you are just looking at a compromised system at this point with secondary issues. If you were able to increase your immunity (by healing the gut and nourishing your body with the most bioavailable sources) you'd be going a long way.<br><br>
Your body is clearly not performing at optimum levels. I know I have been there. With a little dedication you can figure it out.

 

[kjbrown92]

Firefaery, you got me thinking this morning, that's for sure!! On my drive between Trader Joe's (who stopped carrying Rice Dream Rice Milk) and Whole Foods (to get said rice milk) I had sort of an Aha moment, and I'm blaming it all on you. I said I had gone on an elimination diet with my DD, but of course you only do the elimination part for 10 days before you start adding food back in, so if -- as you said -- my intolerances were driven deeper, than 10 days isn't long enough to have any effect right? I was off milk completely for 8 months while BFing my son (who couldn't take any dairy even in my milk). I realized that the start of my UTIs and the severe worsening of my back (I had had backaches before that, but nothing like when this started) was the month after I stopped BFing, and therefore resumed DAIRY (THAT was my Aha moment). And both have gotten worse and worse. And THEN I remembered that the rheumatologist had said last appt. she thought I probably had a malabsorption issue because of my Vitamin D deficiency and Calcium deficiency (she didn't like my bone density scan for my age). So now the question is, should I go off dairy, or should I spend the money and do a York 96-food intolerance test to see if the dairy has cascaded to other things (hence my DDs increase of intolerances, after my DS only had 2 or 3), which is what I'm thinking. And THEN, when the results of that comes back, eliminate those foods completely (I'm not convinced of the rotation diet for gut healing; I'd rather avoid it completely and retest in 6 months)? I'm bowing to your superior wisdom on this one. Is my thinking just wishful for a cause at this point (since no conventional doctors have figured it out)? Or is it possible?<br><br>
The article that prompted this thread talked about the antigens that were in the mother's milk, and that, along with what you said, really made my brain work today! I'm almost hopeful for the first time in years.<br><br>
Kathy

 

[kjbrown92]

The article that prompted me was not the one on this thread, but on a thread in the Health & Healing Forum (which I don't know how to link). But this is the article: <a href="http://www.americanscientist.org/template/AssetDetail/assetid/54436?fulltext=true&print=yes#54484" target="_blank">http://www.americanscientist.org/tem...rint=yes#54484</a><br>
Kathy

 

[wenat]

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<div>Originally Posted by <strong>LauraLoo</strong> <a href="/community/forum/post/10225867"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/community/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border:0px solid;"></a></div>
<div style="font-style:italic;">I had no dietary restrictions with ds while pg and breastfeeding -- and he is anaphylatic to peanuts and cashews and allergic to most other tree nuts.<br>
(snip)<br>
I avoided peanuts and tree nuts while pg and breastfeeding dd -- and she has no known allergies.</div>
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The anecdotes go both ways. I avoided peanuts and ate nuts when pregnant with DS1, and he's anaphylactic to peanuts and allergic to nuts.<br><br>
I ate some peanut butter once or twice when pregnant with DS2, and he's scratch-tested negative to peanut, and positive to nuts.<br><br>
One of the biggest things I've had to learn was to try to shed the guilt over "what if I'd done it differently?" That just causes you to stay awake at night blaming yourself -- and trust me, I've had a LOT of those nights.

 

[chlobo]

Faery,<br><br>
Do you believe a woman can breastfeed & heal her gut at the same time? What about on a limited diet due to a sensitive infant? Also, do you believe its possible to heal the infant that has been sensitized due to a mom's leaky gut?

 

[Panserbjorne]

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<div>Originally Posted by <strong>kjbrown92</strong> <a href="/community/forum/post/10232907"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/community/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border:0px solid;"></a></div>
<div style="font-style:italic;">So now the question is, should I go off dairy, or should I spend the money and do a York 96-food intolerance test to see if the dairy has cascaded to other things (hence my DDs increase of intolerances, after my DS only had 2 or 3), which is what I'm thinking. And THEN, when the results of that comes back, eliminate those foods completely (I'm not convinced of the rotation diet for gut healing; I'd rather avoid it completely and retest in 6 months)? I'm bowing to your superior wisdom on this one. Is my thinking just wishful for a cause at this point (since no conventional doctors have figured it out)? Or is it possible?<br><br><br>
Kathy</div>
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You should be hopeful. Anything can be healed, it is just a matter of how committed you are.<br><br>
I'm not sure that my wisdom is superior, I've just been at this for awhile!<br><br>
I'd say you have several options available to you. You are already part way there given the type of diet you are doing. My recommendation would always be to go gluten and dairy free at first. There's more to it, of course, but that's a start. If you can manage to do your traditional diet without these two I think you'd be well on your way.<br><br>
You could do the testing, but if you're paying out of pocket I honestly wouldn't do it. If you are the kind of person that *needs* confirmation on paper then go for it. At this point it''s safe to say that your gut is leaking. If your approach would be to remove all known allergens, then absolutely have the test. There are other ways to go.<br><br>
If I were you I'd hire an ND and start with muscle testing. If you have a good practitioner the results are just as accurate as blood testing-plus it's non-invasive, the results are immediate and if your insurance covers the visit it's free.<br><br>
This way you have a way to proceed and a practitioner to work with so you're getting the whole picture. I have names if you need them. Sorry-I have kiddos screaming, I have to run.<br><br>
I'm really glad that you are looking for answers and connecting the dots!

 

[Panserbjorne]

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<div>Originally Posted by <strong>chlobo</strong> <a href="/community/forum/post/10237010"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/community/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border:0px solid;"></a></div>
<div style="font-style:italic;">Faery,<br><br>
Do you believe a woman can breastfeed & heal her gut at the same time? What about on a limited diet due to a sensitive infant? Also, do you believe its possible to heal the infant that has been sensitized due to a mom's leaky gut?</div>
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Sorry, I promise I'll be back! Until I am though, YES. YES. And absolutely YES.<br><br>
This is NEVER a reason to stop breastfeeding, if anything it's more important to continue. I continued breastfeeding on this journey on a limited diet and both my daughter and I made HUGE strides. I am still nursing her as well as my ds2. There is some debate over whether or not they'd heal faster if they were weaned. I believe the benefits of breastmilk far outweigh the potential for a "quicker healing." Since there is no way to prove or document this in any way I am sticking with meeting the emotional and nutritional needs of my children, providing them with the immunoglobulins that I have to offer and doing everything I can to heal both of us at this time. I believe that you can never go wrong with breastmilk. It is the perfect food designed specifically for them. A few antigens don't change that.

 

[naturals]

I say- do the exact opposite of whatever is written in that article.<img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/orngtongue.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="Stick Out Tongue">