How to reduce baby’s future asthma & allergy risk

Currently, medical professionals do not advise abstaining from specific foods during pregnancy to prevent food allergies. Research has not demonstrated any significant impact when expectant mothers avoided particular allergenic foods, even in cases with a family history of allergies.

Reducing baby’s allergy risk while pregnant

Ensuring a healthy growth for your baby during pregnancy involves consuming a balanced diet from the five food groups and adhering to the recommendations outlined below.

1.Stop smoking and stay away from smoky environments

Smoking during pregnancy increases the chances of your baby having allergies, including asthma. Thankfully, many moms-to-be are motivated to quit smoking during this time. If you need help, talk to your healthcare provider. Stay away from smoky environments and second-hand smoke, too.

2. Eat a healthy pregnancy diet with a variety of foods 

You don’t need to avoid any specific foods because you’re worried about passing on allergies. In fact, some scientific studies have shown that the reverse is true. Babies born to non-allergic moms who ate more fish, or whole peanuts, and tree nuts, had fewer allergic symptoms during their early years than children born to moms who didn’t eat these foods.

3. Consider probiotic supplements during pregnancy

Specific types of probiotic supplements during pregnancy and breastfeeding might help prevent eczema (a condition that causes dry and itchy patches of skin). Studies have shown that babies with a family history of allergy whose moms consumed a specific probiotic supplement during pregnancy and breastfeeding had a lower risk of developing eczema (dermatitis) than babies whose moms didn’t include the probiotic in their diet.

4. Breastfeed your baby to help boost baby’s immune system

Along with many important immune factors, breast milk contains “friendly” bacteria that help boost your baby’s immune system. This is especially important for babies who are born by caesarean section because they miss out on this “friendly” bacteria in the birth canal. That is why babies born by C-section tend to have a greater risk of some types of allergy. If you have a C-section, start breastfeeding your baby as soon as possible after birth!