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 know it says this now, but there was previous advice, around the turn of the century (yes, I am aware this was 20/25 years ago) to avoid allergens in pregnancy and in early weaning. I remember my stepmum receiving it in 2003 and being confused in 2008 as to whether it was still the case or not.

There is still advice in many countries to avoid certain common allergens, like shellfish, strawberries, kiwi, celery, until 9 months or 10 months or 12 months. You can see this reflected in popular "weaning expert guides" like Solid Starts for example.

Old advice hangs around because people don't always seek guidance from official sources. What you tend to find is that old advice sticks around and assimilates into "common sense" so people may not even think to check what the updated guidance is. Or if the old guidance is simply dropped with no explanation as to why then people assume that it still applies. Articles on non-official sources like mumsnet, babycentre, Boots (which are still considered authoritative) are written using outdated guidance and hang around for a few years. Books are passed around even longer.

UK solids guidance leans heavily towards discouraging early anything because there is such a hangover from old advice (older than 25 years, more like 40/50 years now) to give solids as soon as the baby has doubled birth weight, reached a certain weight, at 3 months, when they can hold their head up, or to get them to sleep through the night. I believe this changed to 4-6 months in something like 1994. This is finally dying out and most people don't want to give solids at 12/13 weeks any more (though it tends to prevail in deprived communities/where there is a low level of education and/or low trust in authority - back in 2008 those communities were doing solids at 6/8 weeks, though) but for example when my 14yo was a baby, a lot of these things were floating around so prevalently that even my health visitor was sceptical that any baby could get to 6 months without needing solids. And they were meant to be giving the advice to wait until 6 months. In our NCT group of 6, only one person's health visitor said to wait until 6 months. The others were told various forms of "Start slowly at 4 months or you have to start quickly at 6 months and that's too much of a shock to the baby" or "Your baby is too hungry/big/small to wait".

I understand OP. I've raised this topic multiple times on threads where mums have been criticised for introducing solids before the 6 month mark, so I know how people react. It's odd, but some parents are so fixated on following advice to the letter that they feel threatened by anyone who dares to do things slightly differently.

Introducing solids before 6 months is actually standard advice in other European countries.

@Natsku 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

When you spell it out like that it's obvious 🤦‍♀️ Thanks for answering helpfully/kindly, and not calling me out for being such a numpty!

No problem :)