To feel vindicated regarding recent news articles concerning early introduction of allergens

[Wafflington]

Several news articles recently have highlighted data from studies pointing out that early introduction of allergens (eg peanuts) from 4-6months of age significantly reduces formation of allergies

It feels like a relief somehow. I have a background in immunology and have been aware of these studies for a long time out of personal interest. However I have, countless times, been absolutely ripped to shreds by other mums on social media/forums/etc for daring to suggest that early introduction of allergens reduces the risk of allergies. Literally been called all sorts of horrible names by people who insist you absolutely cannot EVER give ANY kind of solids before 6 months, and absolutely never give any allergens like peanuts before at least 12 months. That if you dare to do this or suggest it, you're a shit mum and should rot in hell and all your children will grow up allergic to everything under the sun

Feels somewhat vindicated now to see news reports on the TV agreeing with me I suppose

Not really sure why I'm posting this to be honest, other than I hope NHS guidelines consider the latest data and make any necessary changes to recommendations on infant feeding 🤷‍♀️

I’m with you, OP. I’m a statistical scientist and have studied the correlation between late introduction of solids and allergens and the increase in childhood allergies.

I would never admit this to one single mum I know IRL, but I began a gentle introduction to solids at 4mo and had introduced all allergens by the end of month 6.

Isn't it terrible that people who know what they are talking about get shouted down so aggressively online.

I'm really glad there is emerging a place for sensible debate on this topic.

https://www.nhs.uk/start4life/weaning/safe-weaning/food-allergies/

NHS weaning site - clearly says introduce allergens from start of weaning.

So you could link people in baby groups here if they’re being arsey about the allergens thing.

Wont help with the 4 months side of it - although note the official line is ‘from around 6 months’ so nothing about ‘not a day before’.

I’m not sure what kind of baby groups you’re in where you’re being ‘torn to shreds’ over stuff that is fairly common knowledge anyway (the allergens, not the early weaning), but I never recognise the description of such groups on here, unless online ones maybe in which case leave and find a more supportive one.

I was torn to shreds on here a few years ago for following French government advice (I live in France) of starting solids at 4 months. 🙄

Agree. Literally none of the official advice in the uk is to hold off on allergens until 12 months so what is OP even talking about.

So is the 'virgin gut' thing a complete nonsense then? I have 2 kids. Both no solids till 6 months. Both exclusively breast fed till 6 months. I ate no nuts during pregnancy with the first but during second pregnancy and 1st 6 months of 2nd I ate cashew nut butter on toast regularly. 2nd child has a nut allergy with the most severe reaction being to cashew and pistachio. There is no rhyme or reason. So many children allergic to tree nuts and cashew and pistachio but all you hear about is peanuts.

I can hear a million MILs feeling vindicated for slipping their grandkids a sneaky bite of their sausage roll at 4 months behind their daughter-in-law's back. All this 'nonsense', never did my kids any harm etc ...

I think parents give themselves too much credit for having 'healthy' babies and doing the 'right' thing. Ill-health seems completely and cruelly random. All this agonising and giving a variety of rainbow foods to encourage a love of vegetables and before you know it, your baby is off to university living on pizza and pot noodles.

I suppose the main issue is that it's drilled into parents that you "have to follow the guidelines" and that the only guidelines you can trust are those set by the government/health visitor/NHS/WHO.
Based on the NHS guidelines not to wean before 6 months, I can see why people have argued that you'd be mad to introduce allergens before that, even when you've tried to present valid reasons otherwise.

The other issue is that many people don't know how to choose appropriate/legitimate sources and then review the sort of information that you're talking about for themselves.

Plus, a stranger on social media/forums/etc. with credentials that can't be validated will be viewed with suspicion for good reason (anyone can say anything they like - e.g. I take people on here saying that they're doctors with a pinch of salt and would always seek advice from a doctor who I know for sure to be qualified).

But all things considered... I think you're allowed to have a moment of victory, it must be nice to have the validation and official recognition that you were right!

So is the 'virgin gut' thing a complete nonsense then?

Yes and no. Newborn babies do have a permeable gut (the so called virgin gut) but it 'closes' long before 6 months, around 1 month actually. Quicker if breastfeeding.

To be fair the current advice in the U.K. is to introduce solids from around 6 months and to introduce allergens from the start. This is about whether allergens should be introduced earlier than 6 months.

Can anyone tell me how often they give/gave their baby peanut butter please? We’ve started weaning and the baby absolutely loves it, but as it’s not something his Dad or I ever eat it’s something we need to be more mindful of if we want him to have it regularly.

Thank you, and sorry to go off topic slightly!

This approach was mine. None have any allergies, will eat EVERYTHING on their plate (they do have preferences but still eat it) and are always open to trying anything new.

The guidelines changed between DC1&2 and DC3, but I stuck with what I knew and started giving some solids from 4 months onwards (despite choruses of "no you can't do that!" from those who preferred to follow the guidelines to the letter)

Anecdata I know, but my impression is that there were a hell of a lot more allergies among DC3's friends than for DC1&2

It's all anecdata. Everyone tries to do what they think is best according to advice grin trusted sources. My two pennorth is that I have 3 children all weaned in a very similar way and I ate plenty of peanut butter myself throughout pregnancy and breastfeeding. They were weaned from about 6 months or maybe a little before and had whatever we were eating so nothing was avoided deliberately. 1 has a peanut allergy (luckily not anaphylactic) and the other 2 don't. Of course if I had known about this latest info I might have given peanut butter earlier but who knows what difference it would have made.

Just out of interest, was your baby born vaginally or via C-section?

It’s very interesting OP, I heard a scientist talking 4 or 5 years ago, saying he suspected the No peanut advice was mistaken.

It’s true that you do tend to get people very worked up if you did something to your baby that is against current guidelines, but was fine at the time - even if it clearly turned out fine (eg 4 month weaning) they get furious about it!

@CatCake by CS. Not what I wanted but he was breech and my platelets went below 40 so it was too risky to let me try naturally.
I know that the birth canal exposes babies to beneficial bacteria but is it instantly beneficial I wonder? DS was ill from his first feed, I wonder if that was always going to happen or whether natural birth could have prevented it.

I try not to think "what if" as it's pointless and the positives are that I have learned so much about food and developed a love of vegan baking that I would never have done if I hadn't needed to be vigilent or make 90% of what we eat. 😃

So is the 'virgin gut' thing a complete nonsense then?

Yes and no. Newborn babies do have a permeable gut (the so called virgin gut) but it 'closes' long before 6 months, around 1 month actually. Quicker if breastfeeding.

@Natsku It's all so confusing. If the gut becomes impermeable at 1 month, why can't you start solids at that point? What is going on at 4-6 months, physiologically, that makes that the prime time to start? And what's going on before 4 months that makes it harmful to start earlier?
It's so difficult to know the right thing to do when there's so much conflicting advice 😕 I dutifully waited till 6 months to wean both of mine and now wondering if that's what's caused their eczema 😭

My eldest was also born by C section due to undiagnosed breech. He has always had allergies, first eczema, then a temporary cow's milk protein allergy and then but allergies. I have always believed there was a link.

Haha nut not but

My daughter has had allergies from birth and was born vaginally!

Back in the day there was peanut oil in formula baby milk. I think it was removed from the recipe in about the mid 1990s.

I have allergies and was born vaginally, my DD was C-section and has none!

The current NHS advice already says to introduce allergens from 6 months though. It's not advised to wait until 12 months.

They're not physically ready at 1 month, they'd likely choke because they can't sit up or control their movements like a 4 month+ baby, and their need for milk is so much that filling up any hunger with anything else could hinder their growth. And they don't need the iron from food at that point because their supply they were born with will still be good so no benefit to food at that point.

Hmm... think I'll believe the dietitian who directed us to and supervised us early weaning DD2 at 4 months (massive massive reflux issues it was hoped solids might help sort out - it just made the vom more interesting to clean up) rather than someone being slightly outraged for internet parenting points.

And your near liquid food comment is bullshit - we started on fork mashed well cooked down veggies etc, rapidly moving on to things like chilis and curries! I was always shit with a stick blender and would end up wearing more of it if I tried to liquidise things.