stupid comment?

IMO, this was an uneducated, stupid comment. Ignorance is bliss.

I tried the same thing with my SIL who is breastfeeding - we were discussing my son's PA and she mentioned that she eats a pb sandwich every day. I tried to advise her that it might not be the best thing while BF since there was an allergy in the family, but she just shrugged it off. Not much you can do - you share the information you have - then it's up to the individual if they want to take the advice or not. At least you know you tried.

Btw, I'm not a big believer that eating pb while pregnant leads to PA - but I still mention the idea of avoiding it to expecting people, anyway. I feel like if it's something that can't hurt, why not do it on the off chance it may help?

Buy them a jar of Sunbutter [img]http://uumor.pair.com/nutalle2/peanutallergy/smile.gif[/img] That would help with the craving for PB cookies, and keep her away from the peanuts.

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Sherlyn
Mom to 5 year old twins Ben & Mike - one PA & the other not.
Stay Informed And Peanut Free!

You need to remember you told this to a man. Maybe you should speak to her directly. She may feel entirely different.

Is this the same woman whose child reacted or a different woman?

where is the proof /study that peanuts during breastfeeding and pregnancy CAUSE peanut allergy?

I am sure that they have proved that peanut traces have been found in breastmilk, but if they looked for other foods that are common allergies they would find them too.
Just because peanut traces are in the milk does not mean that it causes allergies.

I am tired of reading that eating peanuts during pregnancy = your child having an allergy.
If I avoided every food that my child was allergic to with my next pregnancy, I would be on a very restricted diet.
hardly healthy.

If you are going to avoid any peanut consumption during pregancy , the docs always seem to mention avoidance during the last three months.

But they dont say that is a promise that your child will not have any allergies.

there is too much scaremongering/ and guilt with this subject.

sarah
mum to 4 and only one who has allergies.

williamsmommy thank you so much for that comment. Every now and then I find I'm beating myself up over Ds's allergies. I did eat alot of peanut butter and fish during my pregnancy. Both extremely healthy sources of protein.

As for nicolimom, maybe try talking to her directly. It might be something she could discuss with her doctor.

Hi,
I have to say that I had been carrying a lot of guilt around about causing my dd's peanut allergy, I ate pb while pregnant and while BF. Until I found this site and got a great deal of reassurance that it wasn't my fault. I did the same thing with my oldest and she has no allergies. I'm pregnant with my third and have to admit that I'm staying away from PB (with the odd indulgance), not because I think it will cause an allergy in this one, but because of the risk to dd. I do love pb....especially while pregnant....

Like someone else who posted - I'm not a big believer that eating pb while pregnant or nursing causes the allergy. I do however believe the fact that one or more people in the family have the allergy raises the risk.

[i]Food[/i] for thought. Can an allergy actually develop while in-vitro? (I have absolutely no idea. Just something that comes in to my mind.) If it does - what would a reaction be like?

As for the comment about her body wouldn't crave something that's bad for her right now - well, that's just not true. Although, I did believe that at one time as well. During my first pregnancy I absolutely craved chinese food. Literally felt like a person dieing of thirst - had to have it. That was the one food the doctor told me NOT to eat (he didn't tell me until after I told him about the cravings). Apparently it was high in MSG which is not good for developing baby. So, I have first hand experience of craving a food that was harmful - and fighting the urge and not eating it during pregnancy.

Quote:Originally posted by williamsmummy:
[b]where is the proof /study that peanuts during breastfeeding pregnancy CAUSE peanut allergy?

I am sure that they have proved that peanut traces have been found in breastmilk, but if they looked for other foods that are common allergies they would find them too.
Just because peanut traces are in the milk does not mean that it causes allergies.

I am tired of reading that eating peanuts during pregnancy your child having an allergy.
If I avoided every food that my child was allergic to with my next pregnancy, I would be on a very restricted diet.
hardly healthy.

If you are going to avoid any peanut consumption during pregancy , the docs always seem to mention avoidance during the last three months.

But they dont say that is a promise that your child will not have any allergies.

there is too much scaremongering/ and guilt with this subject.

sarah
mum to 4 and only one who has allergies. [/b]

Sarah,

I have 4 kids and only 1 has allergies. I ate the same foods when pregnant and nursing all 4 kids. I ate peanut butter, tree nuts, fish, shellfish, eggs, milk etc. Only my youngest has food allergies.

We are a "hyperreactive" family. Everyone has eczema and DH and I have asthma. I think that has more to do with my toddler's food allergies than my diet while pregnant and nursing. I'm anaphylactic to bees.

Sometimes I wonder if the Benadryl I took while pregnant is the cause. I only took Benadryl in my last pregnancy, and she is the only one with allergies.

If I have another baby, I won't eat peanuts/tree nuts because we're all avoiding them now. I will continue to drink milk, eat wheat and the other major allergens.

Anne

AnnaMarie wrote:

"As for the comment about her body wouldn't crave something that's bad for her right now - well, that's just not true."

Absolutely - Nicolimom, tell your BIL that some women crave things like **dirt** to eat while pregnant. (Not me, lol, but I know I've read about it in poregnancy books.) Kinda shoots his theory to pieces [img]http://uumor.pair.com/nutalle2/peanutallergy/smile.gif[/img]

[This message has been edited by mcmom (edited January 16, 2005).]

where is the proof /study that peanuts during breastfeeding and pregnancy CAUSE peanut allergy?

>>I don't know. Where is the proof? I was just asking if it was a stupid wuestion because I didn't know.

I am sure that they have proved that peanut traces have been found in breastmilk, but if they looked for other foods that are common allergies they would find them too.
Just because peanut traces are in the milk does not mean that it causes allergies.

>>Never said it did.

I am tired of reading that eating peanuts during pregnancy = your child having an allergy.

>>This post seems to have upset you very much. Sorry. It was not directed towards you.

But they dont say that is a promise that your child will not have any allergies.

>> of course not [img]http://uumor.pair.com/nutalle2/peanutallergy/wink.gif[/img]

there is too much scaremongering/ and guilt with this subject.

>>I don't want this post to get out of hand, and I don't want anyone upset over it . I was not even saying that if someone is pregnant they should not eat it- none of my business what anyone eats.BIL was the one who mentioned his wife eats it all the time. I was telling BIL simply to watch out for the allergy. period. NOT what to eat or not eat.

I am pregnant now and I no longer eat peanuts or tree nuts due to my son's allergies. I just cannot do it (even when away from him). I haven't had any in almost 4 years.

So here is my question...I wonder if by not eating them at all I am setting this baby up for some kind of allergy. Didn't someone post about that? That if you do not eat something for extended periods (or ever) you could develop the allergy to it.

I am convinced that eating Peanut Butter cups daily during my pregnancy with my daughter is the reason that she is PA. I craved peanut butter cups and hubby bought many packages and kept them in the freezer to avoid the late night drives to the convience store to buy them.

When pregnant with my son, I did not crave peanut butter cups, did not have any specific cravings. I did eat peanut butter, as we didn't find out our daughter was PA until she was 2 years old. My son is Lactose Intolerant.

Quote:Originally posted by AJSMAMA:
[b]I am pregnant now and I no longer eat peanuts or tree nuts due to my son's allergies. I just cannot do it (even when away from him). I haven't had any in almost 4 years.

So here is my question...I wonder if by not eating them at all I am setting this baby up for some kind of allergy. Didn't someone post about that? That if you do not eat something for extended periods (or ever) you could develop the allergy to it.
[/b]

The current advice from allergists is that if you have a history of allergies in your family (especially if you or your husband have allergies), then you should avoid highly allergenic foods, such as peanuts, nuts and shellfish while pregnant and also while breastfeeding. After the baby is born, they shouldn't be exposed to peanuts or nuts until their immune system is more mature, at age 3 or so. They also have guidelines for when to introduce other highly allergenic foods, such as eggs, fish and shellfish.

The issue of a person who used to be allergic to peanuts/nuts or having other food allergies deliberately exposing themselves to nuts to prevent the development of a nut allergy is a different matter altogether.

When I was pregnant with my now two year old, my allergist had me avoid nuts, peanuts, sesame, fish and shellfish in hopes of preventing my baby from developing food allergies. Since he's still nursing, I'm still avoiding all those foods (although I've loosened up my standard on sesame).

So it sounds like you're taking the right approach. Whether or not it'll make a difference, who knows, but at least if your baby-to-be does develop food allergies, you'll know that you did the best you could.

--Debbie

P.S. When pregnant with my eldest, the one with food allergies, I didn't avoid these allergens, but I refuse to kick myself over it, and I hope no one else feels guilty about their decisions, either.

momma2boys, you posted:-

You need to remember you told this to a man.

Gotta love that comment, in, and of itself! [img]http://uumor.pair.com/nutalle2/peanutallergy/cool.gif[/img]

I am one of perhaps the few people that don't believe eating pb/peanuts products during pregnancy and breastfeeding = a PA child. Only because I didn't and I have a PA child.

However, with the family history you have going, I would certainly advise your SIL to stay clear of them regardless, although after what I just posted, that kinda doesn't make sense, does it?

My PA son is the only PA child among 9 children on both DH's side and mine (on my side, it's only the children I know of, because I am adopted).

Best wishes! [img]http://uumor.pair.com/nutalle2/peanutallergy/smile.gif[/img]

Best wishes! [img]http://uumor.pair.com/nutalle2/peanutallergy/smile.gif[/img]

Quote:Originally posted by nicolimom:
[b]

Stupid comment????? Does this make sense to anyone? Should someone with the allergy in the family not be eating pb to try and prevent it, or is this pointless?

Thanks![/b]

My grandmother had an expression that roughly translated to English means, "You can't put your head on somebody else's shoulders".

I think that fits this situation. [img]http://uumor.pair.com/nutalle2/peanutallergy/rolleyes.gif[/img]

Amy

I don't need a "study" to confirm there is some validity that the peanut protein affects the fetus from the mother's diet.

My son was born the first week of November, right after Halloween. Believe me, that month before his birth I had one too many Reese's PB cups. Even had one that my husband gave me within an hour after he was born.

He was born with red spots! His pediatrician suspected a blood infection and kept him in the nursery when he wasn't breastfed that first night. The evidence was right there in front of my eyes. And no, he did NOT have a blood infection. He had PLENTY of mucous in his lungs as well right after birth. I heard the nurses commenting about having trouble suctioning it all out. It took me over 30 minutes to get him in my arms to breastfeed him, when it should have only taken 5 at most.

Is there some scientific study to confirm that the protein is passed to the fetus from the mother's diet? Not that I know of. But then again, there is no study to prove it doesn't.

I still stand by my "When it doubt, leave it out" feelings.

For what its worth, I don't believe eating pb during pregnancy caused my son to be pa, since it didn't cause it in my other son. However, if avoiding it during pregnancy provides even the smallest chance it may be worth it. Even if it doesn't help, it may cut down on the guilt that so many here seem to feel.

momma2boys, completely agreed with your last post. [img]http://uumor.pair.com/nutalle2/peanutallergy/smile.gif[/img]

ryan's mom, although I personally disagree with you having caused your son's PA, only because of my *personal* experience, I found this that you posted interesting:-

Is there some scientific study to confirm that the protein is passed to the fetus from the mother's diet?

Okay, call me a dunce. But would the protein be the same as the food itself being passed to your fetus/baby?

And is this comparing apples and oranges, or does it lend credence to the discussion. What about drug addicted Mothers who have crack or heroin addicted babies born to them because the crack or heroin inevidently passed to their fetus/baby?

I honestly don't know why my son is PA, but I know I have spent a lot of time here asking questions, I guess trying to figure it out. And especially because I knew, for me, personally, that it wasn't a case of eating pb/peanut products while pregnant. One jar of honey roasted peanuts while I was pregnant with him does not a PA child make.

And, as with momma2boys' last post, I really just hate seeing the Mother Guilt that I see when the pregnant/breastfeeding *issue* comes up and that's why, at a certain point in time, I also posted to ask what the Fathers of our PA children were eating when our PA children were consumed.

Best wishes! [img]http://uumor.pair.com/nutalle2/peanutallergy/smile.gif[/img]

A to M,

Just clarifying that I don't think me eating too much peanut candy caused Ryan's PA, rather just making the point that I feel the peanut protein is definitely passed to the fetus.

I have no guilt about eating peanut products because, IMO, Ryan would have been PA regardless due to a genetic quirk. However, my point was that he was sensitized in the womb, and showed signs early on at birth, newborn acne, etc, that he was PA, with some type of "reaction". Sensitization has to come at some point. The question is when.

My feeling is that he was sensitized before he was born based upon my observations.

My *own* experience....Drew broke out in hives while breastfeeding - llloooonnnggg before that dreaded day I gave him the pb&j sandwich (first time mom). As an infant, he reacted to the pb that *I* ate and passed on in my milk.

When was he sensitized? I don't know. Quite likely in the womb - since he was reacting while still an infant (but possibly after birth thru my milk) I ate plenty pb while pregnant and nursing because I didn't know to avoid it.

I'm not drowning in "Mother Guilt" - what I did in the past, will not change the present. I wish I knew then what I know now, and that's why I encourage expecting and BF moms to avoid peanuts. However, after I give my advice, it is their decision to make, but at least I know that they have information that I didn't have - but wish that I did.

As easy as it is to blame ourselves when it comes to our children, I can not allow myself to feel guilty because my child has a peanut/egg allergy. I have three children. I ate more peanuts when pregnant with my first child. She has only an allergy to mold (no, I did not eat mold!). My PA dd is a fraternal twin. She and her sister had the same prenatal environment and breast feeding experience. Her sister has no known allergies at all. My SIL hates peanuts/peanut butter and hasn't eaten them since childhood. Her son is PA. I know we are struggling to find reasons for this, but I don't think we should judge other people when there hasn't been any proof that we "did" this to our children. For those who'd rather be safe than sorry, I support you fully.

As I understand it, it's not so much a matter of causing the allergy by eating peanuts during pregnancy, but of sensitizing a child prone to allergies by exposing them to the protein early on. That is, it takes two things to cause an allergy: genetic predisposition and exposure to the allergen. If your family history indicates a genetic predisposition, then you need to be careful to avoid the second trigger, the exposure. Before your baby is born (and probably for a good many years after that), you don't know if that genetic predisposition is there, but to be extra-careful, it makes sense to avoid common allergens. With my DD, she takes after DH in her allergies. With DS, I could have bathed him in peanut butter and mixed it in his formula and he never would have developed an allergy. But I didn't know that, and I *did* know of my DD's allergy, so I avoided peanut products during pregnancy and while nursing.

Sarah

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*****ALLERGY ELIMINATOR*****