Physicians agree that breastfeeding offers an infant many different advantages. There is less agreement on whether breastfeeding can prevent the development of food allergies. While a highly controversial issue, some physicians believe that exposing a child to potential food allergens at a young age may cause the child to develop food allergies they would otherwise not have developed. These physicians contend that this early sensitization is able to occur because a child’s immune system is still immature (particularly in the first few months of life). Many of the control mechanisms used to prevent a child’s sensitization to harmless antigens (substances the body perceives to be a threat) may not have fully developed yet. As a result, the child’s immune system forms antibodies (proteins that attach to foreign substances and help destroy them) that will later recognize the food and cause allergic reactions.

It is recommended by most physicians that nursing mothers breastfeed their child as long as possible. Many suggest continuing until the child reaches at least the age of 1. However, some clinical research has shown that a nursing mother who has a history of allergies in her family may be able to prevent or delay passing on a food allergy to her child by avoiding common trigger foods. Many types of food molecules pass into breast milk. By introducing certain foods to her own diet gradually, a nursing mother may keep her young child free of the proteins that can trigger a food allergy.

Physicians who believe in the value of limiting infant allergen exposure believe a child should be kept from immediately trying some food types, even after they have moved on to solid foods. They suggest that parents try to adhere to the following schedule when introducing foods to their child:

• Infants should not be exposed to any solid foods until they reach 6 months of age. Foods that are commonly associated with allergies should be introduced one at a time so that any reactions can be noted.
  
  
• Nursing mothers should refrain from eating any type of allergenic foods (e.g., peanuts, seafood). This reduces the likelihood of a child encountering a problem food at a very young age – when they may be most susceptible.
  
  
• Infants should not have any contact with cow’s milk until they turn 1. Nursing mothers should avoid cow’s milk for the first year to avoid passing milk proteins on to their children.
  
  
• Egg yolks should not be introduced until after the first year.
  
  
• Egg whites should be avoided until after the child turns 2.
  
  
• Children should not be introduced to peanuts, fish and shellfish until they are at least 3 years old.

Children will often outgrow food allergies after the first few years of life. However, food to which a child once had an allergic reaction should never be reintroduced to the child without the direction of a physician. Some food allergies may persist throughout adulthood (e.g., milk, eggs).

Like adults, the most effective form of treatment for children who develop a food allergy is avoidance. It is important that a food allergic child be educated on the selection of safe foods. Children should also be taught about the importance of remaining vigilant. Parents should educate both themselves and their children on the various names a problem food might have, and constantly check ingredient labels for its presence.

Parents need to work closely with their children’s school or daycare center (or anywhere food might be served) to make sure these facilities are able to handle special dietary needs. Many schools and child care facilities have procedures in place for kids with special diets. However, many others do not. Parents should always check to be sure.

Adequate cleaning methods should be used wherever a food allergic child is eating. Parents should always be sure of the following:

• Equipment or facilities are cleaned of lingering food residues with warm soapy water or some kind of wet cleaner
  
  
• The chlorine solutions used by a facility are adequate for cleaning
  
  
• Hard scrubbing is employed with any cleaning solution
  
  
• Kitchen staff wash their hands after handling food

Parents are responsible for notifying the school, daycare facility or parental supervision of the child’s condition. Parents should work closely with the school to determine a solution that best meets the child’s needs in both the cafeteria and in the classroom. Important contact information, medical documentation, written instruction and medication should be provided to the school as well.

Parents can also purchase a number of products, such as bibs, T-shirts and buttons, to alert people to their child's allergy. These products display a written message warning people of the allergy and asking them to refrain from giving the child anything to eat or drink. These products are ideal for young children who are going to be around a large number of people, such as at a birthday party.

It is important that a food-allergic child understand who they should alert in the case of an allergic reaction. Children tend to trust any adult present, which can lead to a serious medical situation since many adults are unaware of the serious nature of food allergies. A child should be taught who is trustworthy, as well as who cannot be trusted to understand the allergy problem.

Children who are very sensitive to food allergies may be susceptible to the potentially life-threatening allergic reaction known as anaphylactic shock. These individuals should carry an injection of epinephrine (a synthetic form of adrenaline that, when injected, opens breathing tubes and restores normal respiration quickly) with them at all times, and be instructed on how to properly administer the drug. Sensitive younger children should always have supervision capable of administering an injection of this type.