New Guidelines: Peanuts in Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
sxc.hu: lusi
The guidelines have recently changed concerning eating peanuts during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
Here in the UK, the advice was that peanuts and peanut products may need to be avoided during pregnancy and breastfeeding if your baby was at high risk (i.e. had a parent or sibling with allergic conditions such as hay fever, asthma and/or eczema).
This was precautionary advice, based on the concern that by eating peanuts there may be a transfer through to the developing infant, which could affect whether they would develop a peanut allergy in childhood.
However, following a major review of the scientific evidence, this advice has been revised.
The review has shown no clear evidence that eating peanuts during pregnancy, whilst breastfeeding, or during early infant life influences the chances of a child developing a peanut allergy.
As a result the Government have now revised their position:
Pregnancy/breastfeeding:
If mothers would like to eat peanuts or foods containing peanuts during pregnancy or whilst breastfeeding, they can choose to do so as part of a healthy balanced diet, irrespective of whether they have a family history of allergies.Introducing peanuts:
If mothers choose to start giving their baby solid foods before 6 months (after talking to a health visitor or GP), they should not introduce peanuts or other allergens such as nuts, seeds, milk, eggs, wheat, fish or shellfish before this time. Furthermore, when these foods are introduced, they should be introduced one at a time, so that they can spot any allergic reaction.Diagnosed allergy:
Where a child has already been diagnosed with another kind of allergy (e.g. eczema or an allergy to foods other than peanut), or if there is a history of allergy in the child’s family, mothers are encouraged to talk to their GP, health visitor, or medical allergy specialist before giving peanut to the child for the first time, because they are at higher risk of developing peanut allergy.
So, in short, if you want to eat peanuts or foods containing peanuts during pregnancy or breastfeeding, you can choose to do so as part of a healthy, balanced diet, regardless of whether your child has a family history of allergies.
To find out more:
Do you have similar guidelines in the US for avoiding peanuts during pregnancy or breastfeeding?
You may also be interested in Are Peanuts Healthy?
