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Food Allergies in Babies and Toddlers

Signs, Symptoms, Prevention and Management

By Shannon McKelden

Not all reactions come from foods directly consumed by the child. Rebecca Hecking's daughter was so allergic to dairy that Hecking couldn't consume dairy while breastfeeding. "Whenever I would eat dairy – and I mean any teeny tiny little bit of dairy – it was guaranteed that exactly six hours later, she would break out in eczema," says the resident of Greenville, Pa.

Dr. Doshi confirms that foods eaten by breastfeeding mothers can cause infant reactions. Common reactions include chronic eczema or atopic dermatitis, dry skin or patches of red, itchy skin. He recommends breastfeeding moms avoid excessive consumption of foods with high allergic potential (peanuts, tree nuts, shellfish, etc.). Also skin reactions can have other causes, so investigation is often necessary.

Hecking found it very difficult to completely avoid dairy for her daughter's first year, due to the ingredient being hidden in many foods.

According to Tiffany Hays, a registered dietitian at Johns Hopkins Children's Nutrition Center, taking milk out of Mom's diet involves much more than simply avoiding dairy products. "Milk proteins appear in many foods to enhance flavor and texture," Hays says. "For example, some canned tuna fish has milk in it. A mother needs instruction in removing all milk ingredients from her diet." Hays recommends the Food Allergy and Anaphylactic Network for educational materials.

Once an allergy is diagnosed (preferably by a board certified allergist), Dr. Sicherer says that a lot of education is required. If the allergy is potentially severe, an emergency plan is required. "This typically includes prescription of a self-injector that gives epinephrine (adrenaline) that counteracts the severe symptoms of anaphylaxis, giving relief and time to get to an emergency room," he says. "All caregivers must review how and when to give this treatment."

Want to see more?

• Check out our Article Library.
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• Don't Pass the Peanuts: Peanut Allergies and Breastfeeding
• Coping with Food Allergies: Helpful Hints from Specialists at Texas Children's Hospital
• Talk about it!