By Helen Johnson

At least once a week a child visits my clinic with a condition that began in the early stages of weaning. Sadly, if foods are introduced into a baby’s system too early, their stomachs are unable to cope and their immune system reacts to the food as ‘foreign’, thus setting up an allergic reaction. This manifests as asthma, eczema, diarrhoea, colic, recurrent infections, catarrh, behavioural problems etc. If the problem food is eliminated from the diet, the condition clears up and at a later date the food can be reintroduced without any problems.

To prevent allergies developing ...
Wait. The older the baby is, the more mature its digestive system. So, by waiting as long as possible, the baby is less likely to develop problems. Although manufacturers produce baby foods ‘suitable from four months’, it is better to wait until six months (in fact most health visitors agree).

Introduce one new food at a time
The digestion of single foods is much easier than three or four at once. Also, if there is a reaction, it will be easier to determine what caused it. Reactions include: tummy ache, diarrhoea, constipation, rash, irritability, excessive wind, disturbed sleep or catarrh. Don’t introduce different types of food too quickly.

Common problems
Changing from breast to bottle. It is fairly common for a baby to be lactase deficient. This is the enzyme made in the stomach that breaks down milk sugar (lactose). If problems do occur, try soya milk formula. The proteins in soya are more digestible than cows’ milk. Even using soya for two months while the digestion matures can make a significant difference. When you do introduce cows’ milk formula, do so gradually (eg mix 2oz cows’ milk formula with 6oz soya milk formula). Don’t worry about calcium levels as there is plenty in soya and if there was an intolerance to milk the baby wouldn’t be able to absorb the calcium from the cows’ milk anyway. Some babies are allergic to soya milk in which case try ‘Nanny’ milk, almond or rice milk, all available from health food shops.

Wheat
often occurs because rusks are introduced too early

Eggs

Citrus
can causes hyperactivity and eczema

Bananas
they contain histamine and so aggravate other allergies

Tomatoes

Strawberries

Nuts

It is hardly surprising that intolerances occur when you look at the products available in supermarkets. Many jars of baby foods that are recommended at seven months contain cheese, wheat and tomatoes all in one hit – it is no wonder so many babies vomit!

Having an allergy to a food can weaken the immune system because the body is working so hard reacting to the food. The baby or child will find it hard to fight infection and is more likely to get chronic bronchitis, recurrent colds and flu, otitis media, glue ear, gastroenteritis etc.

In addition, a food allergy can make a baby more likely to develop reactions to environmental allergens, eg pollens, dust and pets. Behavioural changes too can be linked to foods. I have seen children turn from total urchins to absolute angels just by eliminating chocolate, citrus or sugar.

Additives can also cause behavioural problems, the biggest culprits being citric acid, monosodium glutamate, aspartame (Nutrasweet), red and yellow colourings and caffeine (eg cola).

Food intolerance can be tested by rubbing some of the food onto the baby’s skin. If the skin reddens, this indicates an allergy. If you suspect a food is causing a problem, eliminate the food for six weeks and monitor results. You can then try reintroducing it in small amounts. If the problems continue, then eliminate the food for a further six weeks. The good news is that most children outgrow their allergies by the age of five. However, some allergies are very stubborn. One little girl I know used to be hyperactive with chocolate. Five years later, the chocolate does not affect her behaviour but causes eczema.

Helen Johnson is a leading health expert, specialising in Cranial Osteopathy and Homeopathy.