>>Kathy, your question about why so many babies apparently outgrow
allergies caught my attention because my daughter and I were just
discussing this. Do they really *outgrow* these allergies, or do they
just manifest themselves in different ways over time?<<

I learned a long time ago that the gut of a newborn is like a loosely
woven net. Over time-- generally around 3 mos or so-- that net tightens.
In the early days it is easier for foreign proteins to pass through,
whereas later on it becomes harder. I don't remember where I read about
the gut tightening up, but I do know for sure that I read it in a book
that was fairly authoritative. I think I made the jump of correlating
how babies suddenly become less fussy around 3 mos and also
coincidentally often seem to start tolerating more foods in the maternal
diet. I may or may not have this exactly right, but it makes sense to
me. The truly allergic/sensitive babies persist in their reactions,
whereas in a simple "gut maturation" situation it gradually improves
over those early months. So from this perspective, if this has any
accuracy, part of the equation of "out growing" may be an issue of gut
maturation and not as much being able to pass through.

Another part of the equation would probably be the fact that the
infant's immune system is immature and less able to cope with allergens
than it will be later on. Immune system matures, child tolerates more.

A third potential part of the equation may lie in cross-genetics. In the
U.S., we inter-marry between many races; among those races there may be
specific intolerances such as milk in the hispanic population. Different
indigenous groups have different staples, and what one tolerates well
another does not. Inter-marry these people and you increase the
potential for allergic reactions, especially when there is an eclectic
diet such as we eat. I strongly suspect that babies who are of a single
race and whose moms are eating the native diet do not experience all the
colic and food intolerance issues that we are seeing. IMHO,if this is
anywhere close to correct, this is by far the most complex factor to
deal with it.

~Lisa Marasco

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