Undoubtedly, breast milk is the ideal food for babies. Generally, breastfed babies have a lower risk of allergies compared to those fed regular infant formula containing whole milk protein. This is because the proteins in breast milk are familiar to the baby, making them less allergenic. Breast milk also contains probiotics like bifidobacteria, which help establish healthy gut flora, regulate the baby's immune system, and reduce the risk of allergies.
If a baby is allergic to cow's milk and breastfeeding is objectively impossible, the first choice should be a hypoallergenic formula with processed proteins. Replacing regular formula with a extensively hydrolyzed protein formula or an amino acid-based formula is the recommended dietary approach for managing infant food allergies.
For babies with multiple food allergies, specialized feeding guidance from a nutritionist is advisable. Once a specific food allergy is confirmed, eliminating that food from the diet is currently the only effective treatment. For example, infants under one year old with cow's milk protein allergy must strictly avoid all milk protein-containing foods, including milk-based formulas, rice cereals with milk protein, and other dairy products.
Generally, introducing solid foods to babies with food allergies should be appropriately delayed. For infants with severe allergies, complementary foods should ideally be postponed until 9 months of age. This is especially true for eggs, as babies allergic to milk are also prone to egg allergies. As for fish and egg whites, which are common allergens, it is recommended to wait until after 1 year and 2 months before introducing them.
Additionally, foods that commonly trigger allergies are primarily protein-rich items such as milk, peanuts, eggs, fish, and shellfish. If your baby has a predisposition to allergies, parents should strive to avoid these high-protein foods.
Sensitivity May Subside
For most babies, sensitivity to allergenic foods diminishes after avoiding them for 1-2 years. Therefore, you may test small amounts of previously avoided foods to determine if continued avoidance is necessary. Long-term exclusion of allergenic foods may lead to nutritional deficiencies or eating disorders, potentially impacting your baby's growth and development.
Parents understand that infant allergies present significant challenges. Identifying allergens can be difficult, and symptoms often appear unexpectedly, causing considerable distress. For milk-fed babies, milk allergies are particularly troublesome. Therefore, dietary adjustments and careful feeding practices are essential to minimize allergic reactions.