Posted: January 7th, 2008 - 5:27pm by Doug Powell

The American Academy of Pediatrics now says in updated food allergy advice that breast-feeding helps prevent babies' allergies, but there's no good evidence for avoiding certain foods during pregnancy, using soy formula or delaying introduction of solid foods beyond six months.

Associated Press reports that in August 2000, the doctors group advised mothers of infants with a family history of allergies to avoid cow's milk, eggs, fish, peanuts and tree nuts while breast-feeding.

Dr. Scott Sicherer of the Mount Sinai School of Medicine's Jaffe Food Allergy Institute in New York, said,

"They say, 'I shouldn't have had milk in my coffee. I've been saying, 'We don't really have evidence that it causes a problem. Don't be on a guilt trip about it.'"

The new guidance report for pediatricians was published in the January issue of the journal Pediatrics and includes:

• There is no convincing evidence that women who avoid peanuts or other foods during pregnancy or breast-feeding lower their child's risk of allergies.

• For infants with a family history of allergies, exclusive breast-feeding for at least four months can lessen the risk of rashes and allergy to cow's milk.

• Exclusive breast-feeding for at least three months protects against wheezing in babies, but whether it prevents asthma in older children is unclear.

• There is no good evidence that soy-based formulas prevent allergies.

• There is no convincing evidence that delaying the introduction of foods such as eggs, fish or peanut butter to children prevents allergies. Babies should not get solid food before 4 to 6 months of age, however.

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