Did you know that cow’s milk proteins may often be the first food allergens that your baby encounters? As a newborn baby’s gastrointestinal tract has not yet been fully developed, large milk proteins in cow’s milk are not easily digested and may trigger food allergies. Studies show children who have had food allergies or eczema at an early age have potential to induce other allergies such as respiratory allergies and asthma in the future2.
During Pregnancy
30 sec to know more about potential allergy risk factorsAfter Birth
30 sec to know more about potential allergy risk factorsGenetic Risk Factors
1. Do you or your spouse have a history of allergy?
No
Yes
2. Do your baby’s siblings have a history of allergy?
No
Yes
Maternal Risk Factors
3. Have you taken any shellfish in your early pregnancy?
No
Yes
4. Have you taken any antibiotics or pain killers* during pregnancy?
No
Yes
5. Is the environmental pollution serious during pregnancy?
No
Yes
*Refers to Paracetemol
Birth Risk Factors
6. Is the baby your first child?
No
Yes
7. Have you planned for caesarean section?
No
Yes
8. Were you above 30 years old when you gave birth to your baby?
No
Yes
9. Was your baby born from a multiple birth, i.e. twins or triplets?
No
Yes
Result of Survey
If you answered “Yes” in the survey, it means your baby has already been exposed to these allergy risk factors. Please consult your family doctor or specialist for details.
Tips on Allergy Prevention
According to guidelines from Hong Kong Institute of Allergy, the following measures may help with allergy prevention.
To reduce the risk of infant allergies, moms are advised to start from pregnancy and get prepared at an early stage.
Moms are advised to enjoy a healthy diet with no unnecessary diet restriction during pregnancy and lactation
Moms are advised to improve lifestyle habits, e.g. control weight, avoid both active or passive smoking, avoid excessive psychological stress
Exclusive breastfeeding in the first 6 months of life
Consider hydrolysed formula milk in high-risk infants if exclusive breastfeeding is not feasible
Introduce complementary food from 4-6 months of age when developmentally ready
Control air pollution and indoor air quality
Genetic Risk Factors
1. Do you or your spouse have a history of allergy?
No
Yes
2. Do your baby’s siblings have a history of allergy?
No
Yes
Maternal Risk Factors
3. Have you taken any shellfish in your early pregnancy?
No
Yes
4. Have you taken any antibiotics or pain killers* during pregnancy?
No
Yes
5. Is the environmental pollution serious during pregnancy?
No
Yes
Birth Risk Factors
6. Is the baby your first child?
No
Yes
7. Was your baby given birth by caesarean section?
No
Yes
8. Is your baby a premature baby?
No
Yes
9. Was your baby born in autumn or winter?
No
Yes
10. Were you above 30 years old when you gave birth to your baby?
No
Yes
11. Was your baby born from a multiple birth, i.e. twins or triplets?
No
Yes
Environmental Risk Factors
12. Did you feed your baby with regular infant milk formula within first week after birth?
No
Yes
13. Has your baby been exposed to passive smoking?
No
Yes
14. Is there any pet at your home?
No
Yes
Result of Survey
If you answered “Yes” in the survey, it means your baby has already been exposed to these allergy risk factors. Please consult your family doctor or specialist for details.
Tips on Allergy Prevention
According to guidelines from Hong Kong Institute of Allergy, the following measures may help with allergy prevention.
To reduce the risk of infant allergies, moms are advised to start from pregnancy and get prepared at an early stage.
Moms are advised to enjoy a healthy diet with no unnecessary diet restriction during pregnancy and lactation
Moms are advised to improve lifestyle habits, e.g. control weight, avoid both active or passive smoking, avoid excessive psychological stress
Exclusive breastfeeding in the first 6 months of life
Consider hydrolysed formula milk in high-risk infants if exclusive breastfeeding is not feasible
Introduce complementary food from 4-6 months of age when developmentally ready
Control air pollution and indoor air quality
Breast milk is the best for babies and provides the best nutrition and protection from illness for your baby. For most infants, breast milk is all that is needed for the first 6 months. Many mothers continue to breast-feed after 6 months and then give other foods as well. For advice on breast-feeding, consult your doctor or any other health professional, or a friend or relative who has successfully breastfed. Frequent feeding is the best way to establish and maintain a good milk supply. A well balanced diet, both during pregnancy and after delivery, also helps sustain and adequate supply of breast milk.
Your baby can still receive the benefits of breast milk even if you go out to work. Partial breast-feeding is better that bottle-feeding completely, so continue to breast-feed even if you have been advised to give other foods. If you sleep with your baby, he will breast-feed during the night without disturbing you. Before you leave home in the morning and again when you return, breast-feed your baby. When mixed feeding, always offer the breast before giving other foods.
Remember: Breast milk is the best and most economical food for your baby.
The use of foods which are not intended for young babies can be harmful. Unnecessary introduction of partial bottle-feeding or other foods and drinks, will have a negative effect on breast-feeding. Therefore, always consult a health professional before introducing anything other than breast milk.
If a doctor or other health professional recommends a supplement to breast-feeding, or its replacement, during the first 6 months, it is preferable to use an infant formula meeting recognized quality standards.
When used correctly this supplies the nutritional needs of your baby in an easily digestible form. You will need more than 450 g per week if your baby is only bottle-fed, so keep your family circumstances and costs in mind before deciding whether to use infant formula.
As soon as your baby is old enough, feed infant formula with a cup and spoon.