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Tips to reduce the risks of allergies in children
Before pregnancy: do not smoke.
When pregnant:
Do not smoke.
Wait for further research studies to be done on probiotics before taking them.
- Fish oil supplements – No.
- Dietary restrictions – No.
Feeding new born babies:
Breast feed continuously for 6 months and when introducing new foods.
When weaning, do not introduce solid food until the baby is 4 or 6 months old. According to what the family eats and the developmental readiness, introduce a new food very 2-3 days and just one food at a time so as to easily identify any reactions.
When partially breast feeding, partially hydrolyzed cow milk formula (HA) should be supplemented in the first 4-6 months of the baby’s life. Avoid this if the baby is allergic to cow milk.
- Seek medical advice for forms of cow milk allergy.
- Avoidance of allergens:
- For dust mite avoidance, wait for further studies to be carried out.
- Do not do away with pets in the house only if there is a family member who is allergic to them.
- As for diet restrictions, introduce foods once the baby is past 4 or 6 months of life.
- Avoidance of environmental irritants:
- Where possible, remove sources of dampness and mould.
- Avoid exposure to heaters, tobacco smoke and indoor gas.
- Childhood in the later years:
