Childhood Allergies and Immune Function

According to Ken King, ND, DBM, Dip Hom in “A Homoeopathic Approach To Allergies” “…an intake of dairy proteins in the first few months of life, together with vaccinations, initiates damage to the small bowel absorption processes allowing proteins to be absorbed before they are fully broken down.  The immune system then reacts to the proteins and the allergic reactivity to various substances begins”.

 

Apparently the intestine is the largest immune organ in the body, so in order to have a healthy immune system, we need to have a healthy gut.  The human gut is sterile at birth and babies that are born with a natural vaginal birth will get good bacteria as they pass through the birth canal while caesarean babies will get some good bacteria from the environment.  This is the first stage of colonisation of the gut.  The next stage is the protection provided by mother’s milk.  

 

The good bacteria in mother’s milk (bifidobacteria) will pave the way for a healthy baby, and a strong immune system in later life.  The next phase of colonisation of a healthy gut will be determined by the age food is introduced and the type of food that is introduced to the baby.  

 

Maureen Minchen in “Food For Thought” suggests that babies can be happily breastfed only for the first year of life and waiting till at least five or six months of age before introducing solids will help to avoid allergies.  Babies don’t need to try too many new foods at once so start slow, one food at a time, and stick to bland, easily digested foods.  Wait a week or so before introducing a new food so you know if there has been a reaction.  

 

Avoidance of antibiotics by the mum and child in the first year, which destroy the good bacteria in the gut, will also help the child have healthier gut function and therefore stronger immunity.

 

More causes of gut dysfunction can appear to the school age child.  Sugar, medications, stress and white flour and other processed foods can all play their part to undermine the workings of a healthy digestion system.

 

So here are some important points to ensure your baby and child has a strong and healthy digestive and immune system.  This will then decrease the tendency to allergies and other illnesses including developmental problems:

 

1. Eat a healthy, balanced diet in pregnancy (and at least three months beforehand if possible) with plenty of organic vegies, fruits, nuts, legumes and grains.  Avoid known allergens and binging on any one food.  Take a good probiotic if experiencing any digestive problems.  Include flax meal for healthy digestion and flax oil for the baby’s brain development (one tablespoon a day of each).  Continue this regime while breastfeeding.  Take a pregnancy and breastfeeding multi-vitamin to ensure the baby will get all the right nutrients.

2. If possible, have a natural birth.

3. Breast-feed baby for at least six months and 12 months or more if possible.

4. Introduce solids at around five or six months but leave for longer if baby is happy.

5. Introduce foods one at a time and start with a teaspoon on the first day, adding one extra teaspoon a day if there is no reaction.  If there is a reaction, stop feeding that food, make a note and try a different food.

6. Start with cooked and mashed organic vegetables one at a time – carrots, zucchini/squash, sweet potatoe and pumpkin are good choices.  Add white potatoe later on.

7. Introduce cereals one at a time beginning with oatmeal, barley or rice at about six or seven months.

8. Start fruit around six months, stewed pears, prunes or mashed banana.  Leave raw fruit, stone fruit and citrus till after 12 months.

9. Leave meat, fish, wheat and eggs till after 12 months.

10. Avoid any dairy foods at all if there are allergies in the family for as long as possible.

 

If a baby has any specific gut problems in the first year give, ½ teaspoon of slippery elm powder once or twice a day and/or ½ teaspoon of bifidobacteria probiotic powder one or twice a day.  These can be added to breast milk or water.

 

Most allergies can be treated successfully with herbs, homeopathics and a good diet with avoidance of suspect foods, but being aware of healthy gut function right from before pregnancy will ensure a healthier baby with less chance of any allergies developing.

 

Suzanne Staples, ND DBM                               

Naturopath Herbalist Homoeopath

Email [email protected]

www.heartandspirit.com.au

 

Copyright Suzanne Staples