Combining breastfeeding with solid foods prevents allergies

Researchers at the University of Southampton (UK) recommend delaying the introduction of solid foods to babies until at least 17 weeks and doing so combining them with breast milk. This simple measure prevents the appearance of food allergies.

According to Kate Grimshaw, director of the study published in paedriaticsexposure to food allergens needs to overlap with breast milk, as this contains immune factors that favor the correct development of the baby’s immune system.

The withdrawal of lactation and the premature introduction of solids favor allergies

To conduct the research, Grimshaw’s team took the medical records of 1,140 children from the moment of birth. Of them, 41 who had developed food allergies before their second birthday and 82 who had not, were selected to compare the diets they had followed.

When analyzing the data, it was observed that the introduction of solid foods before 17 weeks is associated with an increased risk of developing allergies, Grimshaw points out.

Another conclusion of the research is that in children who stop drinking breast milk to drink cow’s milk they also increase the chances of developing allergies.

Exclusive breastfeeding up to 6 months and complementary up to two years

The study’s recommendations coincide with those of the World Health Organization. This body maintains that exclusive breastfeeding should continue for 6 months because “It is the optimal form of feeding for infants.” Subsequently, complementary foods are introduced without abandoning breastfeeding up to 2 years or more.

However, the recommendations of the WHO are little followed. In Spain, only 28% of babies reach 6 months with breastfeeding as exclusive food. There are no data on infants who continue to breastfeed as a complementary food up to two years of age, but they are certainly very few.

References:

Kate Grimshaw et al. Introduction of Complementary Foods and the Relationship to Food Allergy. Pediatrics

Kate Grimshaw et al. Modifying the infant’s diet to prevent food allergy. Archives of diseases in childhood.