Weekly Check-Up: Scary Allergies on the Rise Because We're Too Careful?

re: Weekly Check-Up: Scary Allergies on the Rise Because We're Too Careful?

Gonzomama — Fri, 02 Nov 2007 19:25:59 GMT

Yeah, I think the hyperactive "cleanliness" can't be helping. I took a road trip this summer (30 days, 8 states) and I couldn't believe how many places are switching to anti-microbial no-rinse gel goop rather than even the new standard anti-bacterial foamy delight.

The food processing has gone up in the correlative time frame. Most all nuts are now additionally PASTEURIZED even ones that are being sold as "RAW" nuts. The stuff is being denatured and changed, and that's when you're even certain that it is not a GM-food stuff.

re: Weekly Check-Up: Scary Allergies on the Rise Because We're Too Careful?

shannon — Fri, 02 Nov 2007 13:34:08 GMT

I completely agree with Mom2Two, because a lot of people who are in their thirties now were started on solids very early (my baby book shows my mom feeding me rice cereal at 2 weeks, per her pediatrician's written instructions, which are also included in the baby book). Obviously, we don't start feeding babies that early now, but if feeding early is the reason for allergies, why would they be on the rise now that most people are waiting a lot longer?

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re: Weekly Check-Up: Scary Allergies on the Rise Because We're Too Careful?

Mom2Two — Fri, 02 Nov 2007 02:47:48 GMT

Just for kicks...here's a question for you. My parents generation were all started on solids very early. Cereal in bottles and the like. Even my H, who was born in 1972, was started on jar food at 2 months because that's what the doctor's told moms to do.

So...food allergies for people of my parents age and my H's age are not nearly as common in kids now.

If there was a definite corrolation between early solids and food allergies, wouldn't the incidence have gone DOWN with parents waiting?

re: Weekly Check-Up: Scary Allergies on the Rise Because We're Too Careful?

Robin — Fri, 02 Nov 2007 02:42:04 GMT

Our pediatrician told us about this great company called Divvies (www.divvies.com). Divvies are delicious cookies, cupcakes, popcorn, and candy all made in a dedicated peanut-free, tree nut-free, milk-free and egg-free facility. He said that instead of just telling parents about all the things they should have their children avoid eating, it's nice to finally be able to suggest a safe, delicious treat. Well, we tried them; and, we love them. The best part is that all of our daughter's friends (who do not have food allergies), love them too.

re: Weekly Check-Up: Scary Allergies on the Rise Because We're Too Careful?

Autumn — Fri, 02 Nov 2007 01:17:42 GMT

I agree on the too early solids theory. The "too-clean-mommy" theory is the usual blame the mom cop out. If you wait until your kid is 6-7 months to even start solids you are better off. The reasons are they have time to develop a mature gut that can handle all the crap out there that is put in our foods. Can you even pronounce the ingrediants in a Chicken McNugget?

re: Weekly Check-Up: Scary Allergies on the Rise Because We're Too Careful?

HDCS — Thu, 01 Nov 2007 20:22:00 GMT

Now I don't feel so bad for letting the toddler have a bite of a Reese's peanut butter cup yesterday. Or all those times I've dropped his binky on surfaces with extremely questionable sanitary standards. It's good for him! Well, maybe anyway.

re: Weekly Check-Up: Scary Allergies on the Rise Because We're Too Careful?

MamaT — Thu, 01 Nov 2007 20:09:38 GMT

I wonder what we're doing as far as processing - that's an interesting point. For solids, though, it's a development thing. Before six months babies have an "open gut." The cells in the intestines are spaced apart, allowing particles to pass directly into the blood stream. The body sees these particles as foreign invaders and makes antibodies against them, hence the allergies and GI probs that are so prevalent. It used to be (an still is by docs that have not kept up with the data)recommended to start solids around four months, because this is when babies start seeing and exploring more. Reaching for things and trying to copy mom &dad are more developmental things than a sign of intestinal maturity.

re: Weekly Check-Up: Scary Allergies on the Rise Because We're Too Careful?

Mom2Two — Thu, 01 Nov 2007 18:34:38 GMT

Our pediatrician told us that countries with nuts as a staple crop do not have the allergy problems the US has, so it has something to do with the way nuts are processed here.

My son was allergic to milk protein and as a result, fell off the growth chart for awhile. He eventually outgrew it, but we went 9 months dairy free and it was difficult, not to mention expensive.

As for starting kids on solids, every baby is ready at their own time. We started my son on cereal at 4 months because he was ready. He stared intently when we ate and tried to snatch food off our plates. My daughter didn't care nearly as much, and we started her at 5.5 months because she started waking up every 2 hours at night to nurse.

re: Weekly Check-Up: Scary Allergies on the Rise Because We're Too Careful?

MamaT — Thu, 01 Nov 2007 17:28:05 GMT

Not to mention all of the parents who start their kids on solid foods at two months - I'm not exaggerating, sadly. It's nuts (pun intended). Anything you feed your child before 6-7 months puts baby at risk for allergies, but everyone does it early and swears "but my kid is just fine!"