Elisa,
I don't have the references, but here is the explanation that I learned:

The infant's gut is like a loosely woven net after birth, more permeable to
larger molecules than it will be later on. The mesh of this net gradually
tightens and closes up, allowing fewer and fewer stray foreign proteins
in as the time progresses, about 3 mos.  As many of you have probably
noticed, the first three months comprise the time that babies are most
reactive to foods in the diet. Chocolate, caffeine, cabbage, etc--- many
babies who become fussy or gassy after mom has consumed these will no
longer react so strongly after about 3 mos, and it is the 3 mos mark that
babies often settle down and become "easier" and more enjoyable. A
coincidence?

The problem with adding solids during this time is that the baby's gut is
not yet prepared for such an assault, and much more can "slip" through
the net that later would be screened out. As a result, if there is a
potential allergy to be triggered, these solids are at high risk to do
so. Perhaps this also explains in part the latest findings that the
earlier cow's milk (and cow's milk based ABMs) is introduced to a baby,
the greater the risk factor for developing juvenile diabetes. Not
everyone has a problem, but that doesn't negate those who do. Those who
argue this way fall into the category of "there is no such thing as
nipple confusion because *my* baby never became nipple confused...."

Yaffa, Denise, can you help me here? What was the source for this info?
I can't remember....

-Lisa

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Lisa A. Marasco, IBCLC                                /  [log in to unmask]
International Board Certified Lactation Consultant    /  [log in to unmask]

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