let me just say on dr. newman's behalf that his intent is not to encourage
introduction of solids at four months, but to acknowledge that is okay to do
so if the alternative is introduction of formula. the guidelines IS still
exclusive breastfeeding until "around the middle of the first year." it is up
to the baby to determine when that middle arrives; some are ready earlier
than six months, some later. babies with a history of allergy are NOT normal,
and their guidelines should, of course, be different.

if a baby has a family history of allergy, but does not show any sensitivity
to foods in his mother's milk, then i just advise caution in which solid
foods to introduce. i don't advise delaying solids when the baby indicates
readiness. if the baby shows sensitivity to foods in the mother's milk
(colic, etc., necessitating a restricted diet for the mother), then i advise
being cautious for far longer in what is offered to the baby.

i have had clients who had to eat extremely limited diets, due to continual
difficulties shown by their babies, but by continuing to breastfeed (often in
the face of advice from medical "experts" to wean) they eventually had three
years olds who were eating a normal diet and were not allergic to anything.

and then there was the experience of my client who hoped to adopt a baby with
severe family allergy history, who begged the hospital staff (not local) to
give the baby hypoallergenic formula (she "wasn't allowed" to nurse the
baby), and they not only were extremely rude to her for asking, but
repeatedly stated that "that's not true, we've never heard of such a thing!"
regarding the relationship between introducing milk products and allergies.

carol brussel IBCLC

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