Food allergies in newborns

Food allergy in newborns on breastfeeding: Myths and reality

The appearance of a rash, green stools, or excessive irritability in a breastfed infant often leads the mother to suspect that she "ate something wrong". The topic of food allergy in newborns is surrounded by many myths and strict diets for nursing mothers. Let's find out when it truly warrants concern and how to act correctly.

How do allergens get into breast milk?

Proteins from the food the mother consumes can pass into her bloodstream and from there into breast milk. In most children, the immune system does not react to these foreign proteins. However, in infants with a genetic predisposition to allergy, the immune system may perceive them as a threat and trigger an allergic reaction.

Most common allergens:

• Cow's milk protein (CMP). This is the number one allergen in infants.
• Eggs.
• Soy.
• Wheat (gluten).
• Nuts and peanuts.

Symptoms of allergy in infants

The reaction can manifest in various ways:

• Skin manifestations: Atopic dermatitis, hives, dry skin. This is the most common symptom.
• Gastrointestinal manifestations: Frequent reflux or vomiting, severe colic, diarrhea (often with mucus or streaks of blood), constipation.
• Respiratory manifestations (less common): Nasal congestion, wheezing.

What to do? Elimination diet

If an allergy is suspected, you shouldn't immediately eliminate everything from the diet. The best approach is to keep a food diary and follow an elimination diet under a doctor's supervision. The mother eliminates the most likely allergen for 2–4 weeks (usually starting with cow's milk protein) and monitors the child's condition. It is important to know that you do not need to stop breastfeeding – it remains the best nutrition for the baby.