Every parent wants the best for their kids. It’s a gift to get a baby because they bring joy in the family. In fact, lack of a child due to barrenness or other reasons put people in a depression state. As the infant develops age of six months, they are supposed to be introduced to diets such as proteins, carbohydrates and starchy foods. Pediatrics recommend this after exclusive breastfeeding for six months. Introduction of solid foods help the baby to gain more nutrients and slowly adjust as they grow. However, some of them react to these foods especially the proteins. This is know as food allergy where the body identifies a particular protein as harmful item. Some of these foods that contain food allergens include eggs, milk, meat, just to mention but a few. Every time a child takes the allergic food, they react to it either mildly or severely. Some of the symptoms of allergic reaction include vomiting, coughing, swelling of the throat, itchiness on the skin and many others. If the symptoms are sever, a parent should seek pediatric help without delay. However, there are various ways in which a parent can prevent food allergy to children as outlined in this article.
One major way to prevent allergic reaction to children is by introduction of food allergens early enough. This is at the age of 6 months after exclusive breastfeeding. Doctors recommend manageable portions of these foods as one is monitoring the reaction. This is important because one will identify if the immune systems of the baby will react or absorb the proteins well. If the baby doesn’t react to the first few introduced, one can continue to add more proteins. Eventually, one will be able to tell what food the baby is reacting to and absorbing. If the baby reacts to most of the food allergens, a visit to a good children doctor is advised.
The other preventive measure is breastfeeding the baby for the recommended period of two years. Food allergy normally occurs due to other health issues in the body. Breast milk contains nutrients that can help the immune systems developed fighting mechanisms against allergic reaction. If a parent has the ability to breastfeeding for that period, then that will help in reducing allergy of foods. There is a beautiful thing in every mother when breastfeeding their children as it creates a bond during the eye contact. It is essential to breastfeed your baby.
The other mechanism that can help to prevent food allergy in children is through continues giving if food allergens that the kid can tolerate. This ensures that the body immune system adjusts to these foods and the more it tolerates them, the more it will be able to accept more. In other words, the toleration ensures that the food allergy doesn’t occur.
Parents need not to worry because there are many resources that can guide them in feeding their children. Some experts have written books and blogs with information on preventing food allergy to children. One can have limitless ideas from these resources. Additionally, one can seek the help of a good pediatrician who can help in monitoring food allergy in kids.