The peanut allergy in breastmilk should be no surprise.  The many postings on
Lactnet about moms whose nursing infants had problems when they drank cow
milk, etc., should only bear out anecdotally what the researchers are
describing and what Dr Hale describes in his book on medications--substances
can pass into breastmilk in varying degrees.  In the case of peanut or cow
milk protein, nanogram quantities of partial or whole proteins can sensitize
a nursing infant who is genetically at risk for allergy.  The recommendation
for allergic women to avoid peanut during nursing (and maybe they should
avoid it during pregnancy as well, although I know of no evidence that peanut
protein can sensitize a child in utero) is probably quite sensible.

Linda L Shaw MD FAAP

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