NEW Guidelines for Allergy Testing

12/06/2013

“Peanut butter sandwich made with jam,
One for me and one for David M.
A peanut butter sandwich made with jam,
Stick, stick, stick, stick, stick.”
– Raffi
Growing up in my house, we loved Raffi. And we loved him even more because he loved peanut butter and jam sandwiches, just like we did.So when my daughter was born, I passed on my love of Raffi almost immediately, but peanut butter, that was a different story.
I had it all planned out. In one arm I would hold my jar of peanut butter, and in the other arm I would holding my baby. I would march into the closest hospital, sit in the waiting room, and give my daughter her first taste of peanut butter.
Then I would wait. Watch. Cross my fingers.
Hope that her skin wouldn’t puff up like a balloon, or worse, she’d stop breathing. But then I had my basis covered. I would be in the hospital already. Just in case.
Fortunately I came to my senses, and decided one morning without any build up, that I would test my ten month old daughter out on nuts.
Almost butter first.
So far so good.
A little on her lips. Nothing red.
A little on her hand. Nothing swollen.
Then a little on a piece of toast. Nothing, but grabbing for more.
A few days later, I put on my brave hat again, and gave her one of my favourite things in the world … ooey, gooey, sticky, creamy, peanut butter.

We got lucky. No allergic reaction. But not everybody is so fortunate.
According to the Canadian Paediatric Society, an estimated 7% of Canadians suffer from food allergies. But other evidence from Australia studies claim this number to be higher, especially in infants, with up to 10% of one year olds suffering from allergies.
While I was nowhere near parenting land at this time, the previous advice set in 2000 by the American Academy of Pediatrics suggested waiting until your child was at least one before testing them on milk, two before introducing eggs, and three before giving them peanuts or seafood. The AAP changed their recommendations in 2008, saying their was no conclusive evidence that waiting this long made a difference. And finally this week, the Canadian Paediatric Society agreed.
The CPS released a document this week saying there is:
“… no benefit to delaying the introduction of any specific solid food, including highly allergenic proteins, beyond six months of age to prevent food allergy from developing.” (***this doesn’t count for kids who ALREADY have known food allergies***)
In fact, delaying the introduction could cause more harm:

“Later introduction of peanut, fish or egg does not prevent, and may even increase, the risk of developing food allergy.”
The announcement, was welcome news for Jennifer House, a registered dietician, nutritionist and owner of a family nutrition business First Step Nutrition, in Calgary, Alberta. As a mother of two children ages 6 and 3, plus one on the way, she tested her first child with peanuts at a year, tested her second at eight months of age and will now do it earlier with her third.
“This should decrease anxiety in parents, knowing you are doing a good thing by introducing these foods early. Further research is currently underway, but there’s enough evidence for them (CPS) to make these statements. Overall, it’s a good thing. A step in the right direction.”

So when should you introduce these highly allergic foods? To make it simple, if your child already HAS known food allergies, the new CPS position DOES NOT apply to your infant. However if your child IS considered high risk, meaning a parent or sibling has known food allergies, then House says you CAN still try them on risky foods at six months (providing they don’t have any known allergies). But she stresses, to KEEP exposing the new food(s) to your infant more than just once.
“It’s important to regularly expose the child several times a week. Don’t introduce your six month old to peanut butter, then wait until they’re eight months old and give it to them again. Give it to them every few days so they do have that regular exposure.”
As for our little family, well my daughter is really mine. She LOVES peanut butter, and for me it’s entertaining to watch her get it stuck to the roof of her mouth. And now with the new recommendations, I don’t need my brave hat anymore. I can test without the anxiety. Fish,and shellfish are on the menu for next week!
So to sum up … Raffi, peanut butter and jam are now all beloved in our house!

For more information check out the official statement and study by the Canadian Paediatric Society: http://www.cps.ca/documents/position/dietary-exposures-and-allergy-prevention-in-high-risk-infants
Mompreneur and nutritionist Jennifer House can be found at the website below. Her specialty is pre and post natal information – and she has a blog with great tips and advice for healthy eating for the whole family (*and PICKY eaters*):
http://firststepnutrition.com
Also, if you’d like more information on how to properly test your child, check out this excellent website by Dr. Joneja which has VERY thorough and helpful explanations on allergies (for all ages, not just babies/infants):

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*** You should ALWAYS check with your doctor prior to testing your baby/infant/children on new foods. The CPS is a guideline, and every family is unique with different histories. So be on the safe side always and check with your doctor first.***
How did your first time food testing go? Did anyone have anxiety like I did?