>>At a recent conference in South Africa, a speaker on allergies told us about a possible connection between latex allergy and early feeding of banana or papaya. I was concerned about this, because those have been among the early recommended weaning foods.<< I don't know about a connection between latex allergy and early feeding of bananas or papayas, but I *can* tell you that I am mildly allergic to bananas and other tropical fruits--- causes an itching in the back of my palate and throat--- and I was fed cereal and mashed bananas starting at 3 weeks of age. My children and my siblings all have various reactions to bananas, avocados, etc., and so I have always been concerned as well by the use of bananas and avocados as "first foods". I always inquire about food sensitivities very specifically before recommending weaning foods to a mother for baby. -Lisa Marasco, BA, LLLL, IBCLC