Baby Products: Navigating Nut Oils & Allergens

Introduction:

As allergies are on the rise, parents are becoming increasingly educated about what they expose their infants to, especially when it comes to introducing solid foods. What many parents don't realise is that it is just as important to consider the ingredients used in baby skincare. While parents are becoming more educated around chemicals and toxins, many overlook common food and nut allergens found in baby products. In this blog, we'll explore the importance of being mindful of food allergens in baby products and why parents are being advised to exercise caution.

Allergic Disorders & Infants:

The incidence of allergic diseases has nearly doubled in western countries over the past 25 years, this is significant! In Australia and New Zealand, up to 40% of children are affected by allergic disorders at some point in their lives, with 20% experiencing current symptoms. Common allergic conditions in children include food allergies, eczema, asthma, and allergic rhinitis (hay-fever). While atopic diseases have a clear genetic basis, the increase of allergic diseases has also been linked to the changing environment of infants.

Starting Solids:

This section is important for understanding why topical exposure to common allergens before oral exposure can be problematic.

Waiting for developmental milestones is crucial before introducing solids. The readiness indicators involve a combination of physical and behavioural cues, such as the baby being able to sit up un-assisted, displaying good head and neck control, showing an interest in food while watching others eat, and having lost the tongue-thrust reflex. These milestones collectively signify a readiness to handle solid foods and digest them effectively, reducing the risk of choking and facilitating a smoother transition to more diverse nutrition.

In the 1990s, introducing solids around 4 months of age was common practice. However, research now indicates that early introduction of solids prior to 6 months can increase the risk of various health issues such as diabetes, obesity, celiac disease, iron deficiency, and eczema. This occurs due to the digestive system's inability to break down food effectively. Consequently, undigested food particles can enter the bloodstream, triggering immune responses (allergies).

Then comes exposing your little one to allergens. It's crucial to recognise that any food has the potential to trigger an allergic reaction. However, the following foods contribute to approximately 90% of allergic responses in children:

• Cow's milk (responsible for the largest number of food allergies in babies)
• Wheat
• Eggs
• Peanuts
• Tree nuts
• Fish
• Shellfish
• Sesame seeds
• Soy

Typically allergens should be introduced following 6 months of age (refer to our rough timeline below), and once your little one is tolerating a wide range of low risk foods. Allergens should be introduced one at a time, slowly and mindfully over the course of a month. Repeat exposure is important during this time to carefully observe for any allergy, sensitivity or intolerance.

Rough Introduction Timeline:

1. Hens Eggs: Eggs 6+ months (egg yolk and white can be offered at the same time, however some research recommends introducing yolks first and whites later, due to the protein content in whites and increased risk of a reaction).
2. Sesame Seeds: 6+ months
3. Nuts (Tree Nuts & Peanuts): 7+ months (offer separately and ensure all tree nuts are offered). Just because one type of tree nut is tolerated, doesn't mean another type of tree nut will be.
4. Fish: 8+ months
5. Shellfish: 8+ months
6. Soy: 9+ months
7. Dairy Products: 10+ months
8. Gluten & Wheat: 10+ months
9. Cow’s Milk: 12 months (not before this)
10. Honey: Not prior to 12 months due to the risk of infant botulism (this is not listed for allergy purposes, more awareness)

The Challenge with Baby Wash & Oils:

A recent international study discovered that nearly 40% of skincare products marketed for children contain common food allergens. These include almonds, wheat, soy, oats, sesame, milk, and peanuts. Introducing such ingredients topically before 6 months of age contradicts the recommendation to introduce solids only after reaching developmental milestones.

The current recommendation is to introduce solids once baby has reached developmental milestones and is of 6 months of age. So why would we introduce these food ingredients and allergens topically prior to 6 months of age?

Research suggests that the skin absorbs a significant amount of chemicals it comes in contact with, indicating the importance of scrutinising skincare product ingredients. Allergy specialists recommend introducing common food allergens through the digestive tract, rather than the skin to improve tolerance by the immune system.

In a recent ABC report Lara Ford, an allergy specialist who chairs the Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy (ASCIA) Paediatric Committee agreed that common food allergens, should be introduced to the body's immune system “in the way they're naturally encountered; that is, through the gut”. 

Your skin is the largest organ of your body and since it is permeable, it absorbs whatever you put on it. 

It is easy to see that what we use on our skin ends up inside our bodies. So it is important to pay close attention to the ingredients in products marketed for baby's. Along with chemicals, I would recommend minimising products containing nut oils (macadamia and almond are common), food oils such as avocado and coconut, oat, soy, dairy, sesame, wheat, goats milk etc. You can refer back to the common allergens above.

Conclusion:
As parents, it's essential to be informed and proactive when it comes to choosing baby products. Reading labels and avoiding items that contain common food allergens can be a crucial step in ensuring the well-being of your little one and minimising the risk of allergies. When it comes to introducing allergens, following expert advice and prioritising the digestive tract as the entry point can contribute to a safer and healthier start for your baby.

If you are wanting to use a product containing a food product or common allergen, our recommendation would be to wait until age appropriate food exposure has occurred, multiple times, with no signs or symptoms of a sensitivity, intolerance or allergy. Following this, you should be good to go to apply the product topically - it is always important to consult your health professional.

If you're looking for a baby wash and oil that are both low-tox and free from common food and nut allergens you can shop our range here. Our founder Caitlin who is a Registered Nurse/Midwife & Nutrition Consultant formulated them specifically for newborns up as she always struggled to find recommendations for parents that were both free from chemicals, nut oils and common food allergens.

When you can't find a product, you develop one!

References:

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• https://www.allergy.org.au/ 
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• Kasting and Kretsos.Skin Pharmacol Physiol 2005;18:55-74
• Robinson et al. The Importance of Exposure Estimation in the Assessment of Skin Sensitization risk. Contact Dermatitis 2000; 42:251-259.
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• Kramer MS, Kakuma R. Optimal duration of exclusive breastfeeding. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2012, Issue 8.Art. No.: CD003517. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD003517.pub2.
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• https://data.unicef.org/topic/nutrition/infant-and-young-child-feeding/
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