Allergic diseases are on the rise. For instance, around one in ten babies have a food allergy, and one in five have eczema. The effects of allergies can range from distressing to deadly. We know from research that some factors reduce the likelihood of allergies. If early allergy prevention could be as easy as visiting farms or owning/spending time with pets, it’s probably worth the effort. Breastfeeding, mixed feeding, vaginal birth and eating well in pregnancy are other factors that impact newborn gut health and allergy prevention.

Germs for a savvy immune system

Your immune system protects your body by attacking anything it sees as a threat to your health. We can think of allergies as the immune system overreacting. It responds too enthusiastically to something it sees as a threat. Allergic diseases include food allergies, including anaphylaxis, asthma, eczema and hay fever.

To develop a healthy immune system, babies’ bodies need to learn what’s OK and what’s dangerous. The body does this through exposure to lots of different types of germs. Remember, not all germs are harmful to us. Some bacteria are essential to our health, like the good bugs that live in our gut. Kids need to confront a wide variety of harmless bugs – bacteria, viruses and fungi – to develop a healthy immune response.

Does this mean we should cut back on handwashing and lick the bin? Definitely not! There are much better ways to let a baby encounter helpful microorganisms – beginning in pregnancy.

Getting good bugs from farm animals

One place to get a healthy dose of diverse microbes is a farm. A large study of over 8,000 families found that children raised on farms had less hay fever, eczema, and asthma than non-farm children. Interestingly, researchers found the strongest benefit for allergy prevention came from mothers who worked in the stables in pregnancy, even if they didn’t live on the farm. Also, each different species of animal on the farm added extra protection. This study was called the PARSIFAL study.

Does this mean a good parent up and moves to a farm when expecting a baby? Perhaps, if that’s your dream, but in general, no. However, it does mean that making opportunities to spend time in farm environments or with farm animals makes good sense for expectant mothers and young children. If you’re expecting, perhaps it’s time for a long weekend at a farm stay? How about making a stop at the local farm animal petting zoo with your baby or treating your toddler to a pony ride?

Benefits of an indoor pet

If you can’t access a farm, hanging out with domestic animals can boost newborn gut health. A 2020 study of 1,300 3-month old babies found that those whose families owned a dog had a much lower rate of food allergy.

Similarly, another recent study reported that having a dog before and during pregnancy meant children were less likely to have a food allergy at age one, great allergy prevention. However, dogs didn’t add any extra benefit if the family already had a similar pet (such as a cat or guinea pig) which suggests that not just dogs but all domestic pets offer a benefit.

Now, pregnancy or new parenthood might not feel like the best time to add a furry member to your family. If not, what about pet-sitting for friends on holiday? Don’t forget to give these good guys an extra pat when you visit their homes!

The key takeaways from current eating guidelines

Wanting to do the right thing can be incredibly stressful for something as crucial as allergy prevention. It’s confusing when official guidelines change as new research emerges. Is your baby more likely to have a peanut allergy if you eat peanuts or avoid them? Is it healthier to cut down on fatty foods or go for them?

Australian allergy experts do not recommend pregnant or breastfeeding mothers restrict foods that commonly cause allergies based on what we now know. Instead, aim for a wide variety of fresh foods. Choose vegetables, whole grains, fruit, meat, dairy, nuts, and follow the healthy eating in pregnancy guidelines.

The mother’s weight is another factor that might influence newborn gut health. There is evidence that obesity can interfere with the health of mum’s community of microorganisms. The imbalance of microorganisms then transfers to the baby. Working towards the guidelines will also help you stay at a healthy weight.

Breastfeeding

It’s probably no surprise that breastmilk is best for a baby’s gut health. For example, it comes with in-built prebiotics, such as oligosaccharides. These are the sugars in breastmilk that “good bugs” thrive on. Breastfeeding lowers the chance of asthma and allergy for both babies and children.

Vaginal birth and the microbiome

There are many different reasons to choose a vaginal birth or caesarean birth. Those other reasons might be more important than a baby’s gut health. But it’s worth considering that a caesarean might change the risk of baby developing allergies.

For instance, a Swedish study followed 1 million children over 13 years. Babies who had a caesarean birth were more likely to have a food allergy. The caesarean birth rate in Australia is high compared to other countries, with 36% of Australian babies arriving this way.

If you do have a caesarean birth, bear in mind the power of breastfeeding. A Chinese study found that when babies born by caesarean were breastfed, this reduced the impact of the caesarean birth on their risk of food allergy.

One potential method of exposing caesarean babies to good microbes is through vaginal seeding. Vaginal seeding involves a health professional swabbing new babies with their mum’s vaginal fluids. It’s still under research, and this practice does have risks if you DIY. For example, vaginal seeding can pass Group B streptococcus bacteria onto bub. While usually harmless in adults, this Group B strep can be dangerous in newborns. Group B Strep is a good reason to speak to your health professional regarding vaginal seeding if you want to explore its benefits.

What about probiotics and antibiotics?

Australia’s society of allergy experts does not currently recommend probiotics to prevent allergies in kids. There’s some evidence that probiotics help and other evidence that they don’t.

Another way to help maintain a healthy balance of microbes is to take antibiotics only when needed. For example, antibiotics are unlikely to help during a simple cold (a virus). At other times, antibiotics are a literal life-saver.

Antibiotics during pregnancy sometimes affect the development and balance of a baby’s microbial community. If your doctor prescribes antibiotics, make sure they explain why. You can use the BRAIN decision-making tool to make an informed decision.

Do you have specific concerns?

Do you have particular concerns about your little one’s risk of allergy or questions about allergy prevention strategies? Talk further with your GP or allergy specialist.

Reference List

PBB aims to keep you informed with the latest research-based information. Check out our reference list used in the creation of this article.

Page published on 12th January 2022