EAT study- anyone heard of it or doing it?

[debka]

this

Got a leaflet through the post today. I'm quite interested as although our family has no allergies I know several who are severely and debilitatingly affected,

I've heard of this but won't be able to do it as my DS had one formula feed in hospital and I think they need the babies to be ebf.

have to say though, there's no way I would take part in this.

I have a real mixed reaction. Part of me says no way, but then as I said I know some children with dreadful allergies, and if this could help then great.

Anyone else have an opinion?

I got a leaflet this morning too, I gave it straight to DD1 who was delighted with the pictures of babies. No chance is DD2 taking part, not in a million years.

I'd do it, but we are switching to formula soon and he had some in hospital :( I think helping to understand allergies is really important stuff.

i think i would have as the food introduction is in miniscule amounts, but i live four hours from london and though they pay travel costs, i don't think i could face the journey!

EauRouge/DuelingFanjo I got asked about this - can i ask why so against? i am trying to make up my mind having been approached about it

I wouldn't consider it. Early introduction is from 3 months isn't it?

While I agree that it's an interesting area to look into and could help many children, I didn't feel comfortable risking my ds's digestive health to do it (even if the risk is small).

Nope I wouldn't do it. Reading between the lines they are looking for evidence that supports their supposition that delay in introducing solids has contributed to a rise in allergies.
And in fact that state that 'Since the 1970s allergy has increased significantly in the UK:' and 'These increases have coincided with a two-thirds reduction in early introduction of complementary foods.'. Which I find very difficult to believe as 'wait until 6 months' was only introduced about 6-7 years ago.

nursingbaby.com/nursing/startsolids.htm this article states that early weaning became popular over 30 years ago. So this contradicts their assumption!

I would not risk my baby's future health in this way.

They said to me that the idea behind it was that they wanted to see not if introduction of solids per se increased allergies but delayed introduction of things like cow's milk/peanut butter etc was increasing allergies. I am v confused. I want to help all I can and we don't have a history of allergies in the family - but I don't want to risk my baby's health...

Kara - thanx for msg on other thread as well

WHO, the NHS and UNICEF all recommend that a baby is given nothing but breastmilk for the first 6 months. This study wants to introduce allergenic foods at 3 months to see what happens. As others have said, I do not want to risk my daughter's health even if the risk is small.

"can i ask why so against"

I wouldn't want to be put into the group which weans babies at 3 months.

Also the main person doing this study has links to Nestle.

'Also the main person doing this study has links to Nestle.'

I didn't spot that... but I am not surprised!

where are the Nestle links Dueling?

some of the study team have in their 'Declaration of Interest' links to Nutricia (baby food company) and Nestle.

described as 'Personal remuneration'

here

though to be fair it could be that they acted as consultants RE allergies for these companies.

how on earth has this study received ethical approval?

Dr Lack lectures Nestle on allergens - googled it.

my daughter is on the control arm of this study .

SO whilst the other group has to BF for 6 months and introduce a tiny bit of the test foods the other group just BF and completely avoid these foods ( if they are even giving food) to provide the baseline for comparison. So there are about 1200 on the study who do as the current advise stands.

You can also drop out at any point you wish, so just by being on the study does not mean necessarily that you will be on the early introduction arm.