Today, Huppy told me some information that I really didn’t want nor expected to hear!!! When I realised that I was preggers, I had informed Huppy of what foods I should avoid during the pregnancy and breastfeeding… Peanuts was one of them! We didn’t realise that there was peanut oil in the cooking oil that was used at home! It was only when Huppy cooked today that he noticed the small print!!!!
I appreciate that peanut allergy is not common in asia, however, it is common in UK, Europe and USA…. I have been told by some elders here in Singapore that there’s no need to worry and that it’s safe cos they ate peanuts when they were pregnant!! There is just so many foods here that contains peanuts/nuts…. I was born and brought up in UK and my lifestyle, diet and surroundings are generally that of a caucasian… In addition, in UK we are also trained to advise mothers to be to avoid this potential allergen if there is a family history of asthma, hay fever, eczema, or nut allergies. So I was extremely gutted to be told that I have been exposing my unborn child to this allergen since day one!!!
I so didn’t want my child to have any allergies because I have suffered from a body full of eczema since I was young - and it’s horrible…. What’s even worse is that it may have a peanut allergy - which can lead to anaphylaxis - and that would be a nightmare!!!
“Some experts believe that avoiding known allergens, such as peanuts during pregnancy, can reduce the risk of allergic reactions developing in your child. However, there is little evidence that this approach actually works and until more research is carried out, there are no strict guidelines. You may want to avoid eating peanuts while you are pregnant if you, your baby’s father, or one of your previous children has had an allergic condition.
Allergic conditions include:
• eczema
• asthma
• hayfever
• any allergic response (rashes, itches, bumps) if you’ve eaten food such as strawberries, shellfish, or peanuts
An allergic reaction is when the body over-responds to a particular substance: this can cause breathing problems, wheezing, skin conditions, and other symptoms. Peanut allergy is a growing problem in the UK. Approximately one in 70 children in the UK has a peanut allergy; most children will develop the problem before their third birthday. Peanut allergy can cause a severe reaction called anaphylactic shock in which the allergic person has such trouble breathing that they die without treatment.
Before an allergy can develop, a child first has to come into contact with small traces of peanut. This initial contact sensitises the child so that she later has a severe allergic reaction when she eats peanuts or foods containing peanuts. Some experts think that this initial sensitisation may occur during pregnancy, when a tiny amount of the peanut protein crosses the placenta.
Breastfeeding gives your baby protection against many infections; exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of your baby’s life helps decrease her risk of allergies in the early years of life. If you eat peanuts, there is a small chance that your baby will come into contact with traces of peanut through your milk.
If you decide to avoid peanuts while pregnant or breastfeeding, you need to avoid not only peanuts themselves (which are also sometimes called monkey nuts or groundnuts), but also products which may contain them. These include:
• peanut butter
• cereals, cakes, muesli, biscuits, some salad dressings, ice cream, and breads - always read the packaging label carefully for information on the ingredients
• dishes in restaurants - either ask if peanuts have been included or choose a simple meal which contains no ‘hidden’ ingredients
Other nuts, such as Brazil nuts, hazelnuts, walnuts or cashew nuts have not been identified as a potential problem.
