In a message dated 3/31/2003 9:01:26 AM Central Standard Time,
[log in to unmask] writes:

> For this reason we have=20
> only giver her Alimentum and Nutramigen.

I just thought you might like to know, these two formulas are not dairy free.
If you read the labels on them, you will see the ingredient casein
hydrolysate, this is milk protein. Casein is one of the major dairy allergens
(along with whey). The companies believe that since the protein is in
hydrolysate form, it is easier to digest. But, the protein is still there, so
the potential for allergic reaction is still there. A couple of main stream
infant formulas that do not contain any dairy ingredients and do not require
a prescription are ProSobee and Similac Isomil (Ross). There's also Neocate
and Neocate One+ (which my children all used), but this requires a
prescription and is very expensive.
As for the lack of exposure to a potential allergen. Most in the medical
community believe that the more exposure you have to an allergen, the more
likely you are to develop an allergy to it, especially when the immune system
is very young and undeveloped. This is well documented and most people who
have had to deal with food allergies can tell you this. It is not unknown of
for a child to be allergic to dairy and to be put on soy formula, only to
later develop an allergy to soy (albeit, soy does have a similar protein to
milk). That's why it is common practice not to feed a child under the age of
3 years (it used to be 2 years) peanut butter or shellfish (some doctors
recommend waiting until the child is at least 5 years old for shellfish) and
a child under the age of 2 years (it used to be 1 year) eggs, especially the
whites. Because such early exposure of potentially deadly allergens on an
undeveloped immune system is asking for trouble later on down the road.
When trying to determine what your child is allergic to, parents often
incorrectly assume that if he has eaten a food before and not had problems,
then he probably is not allergic to that food. They usually only suspect new
foods as being able to cause a food allergy. However, it is important to keep
in mind that it takes time for the immune system to build up a reaction
against something that the body is allergic to. It may take days, weeks,
months or even years to build up enough of a response to cause noticeable
symptoms. So your child may be allergic to a food even if he has eaten it
many times before without problems.
If your child is at high risk of having food allergies, you should delay
offering solids until he is at least six months old (and continue
breastfeeding), and begin with an iron fortified infant cereal. It is best to
start with rice and oat cereals and introduce wheat cereals later. Next you
can introduce vegetables, but avoid legumes (foods in the bean and pea
family) at first, and then non-citrus fruits and fruit juices. Meat and
protein foods can be added once your child is 8-9 months old. Foods to avoid
until your infant is at least a year old include egg whites, cow's milk,
citrus fruits and juices, and wheat. Also, avoid giving peanuts (as smooth
peanut butter) and shellfish until your child is at least two to three years
old. Whole peanuts and tree nuts should be avoided until your child is four
because of the choke hazard.
There is much more information out there, but it is beyond the scope of one
email. Here are a couple of links that should help you get started.
I hope this helps.
Angel
<A HREF="http://www.drgreene.com/21_1280.html">http://www.drgreene.com/21_1280.html</A>
<A HREF="http://www.foodallergy.org/downloads/prevention.pdf">http://www.foodallergy.org/downloads/prevention.pdf</A> (You will need Adobe
Acrobat to read this brochure)
<A HREF="http://www.healthcaresouth.com/pages/askthedoctor/foodallergies.htm">http://www.healthcaresouth.com/pages/askthedoctor/foodallergies.htm</A>