Food allergies are most commonly seen in babies under the age of three years, and symptoms can be apparent any time after birth. The immature immune system, digestive tract, and metabolic processes of the early weeks of a baby’s life contribute to its allergy symptoms and can set the stage for a life-long battle with allergies. Allergy to foods, usually indicated by digestive tract disorders and skin reactions such as eczema, is frequently the first manifestation of allergy, which in most cases is an inherited condition. The earlier we can identify and successfully manage a baby’s or young child’s food allergies, the greater chance we have of limiting their present distress and reducing the likelihood of them developing severe life-long reactions to foods and, hopefully, other allergens.The most important step in the management of food allergies in infants is to identify the culprit foods, eliminate them from the baby’s diet and environment, and provide complete balanced nutrition from alternative sources. The best feeding regimen for all babies is exclusive breast-feeding, and because food allergens can enter the breast-milk of the lactating mother, we need to eliminate the baby’s allergenic foods from the mother’s diet also. The process of correctly detecting the baby’s allergens, and identifying all possible sources of these allergens in the diet of the baby and its breast-feeding mother is therefore crucial in the successful management of infant food allergy.
If it is not possible for the food-allergic infant to be breast-fed, we need to provide the baby with alternative nutrition. It is essential to determine the most appropriate formula for the allergic infant that will exclude its known allergens, and provide all the nutrients required by the developing baby.
As the baby matures, its response to food allergens changes, and a successful food allergy management program will monitor and respond to these changes. An individualized plan for weaning the baby to solid foods is provided as part of the food allergy management program.
The service I offer is based on medical records, usually supplied by the baby’s physician or other health care provider; food and symptom records provided by the parents or guardian; and the results of appropriate medical tests for food allergy and intolerances.
There are two critical aspects to management of food allergy in babies:
Three important questionnaires must be completed before the first consultation:
1. Details of the baby’s allergic history
2. A food and symptom record which details everything the baby consumes for seven days, and the symptoms that he or she experiences during the same seven-day period
3. For the breast-fed baby, a record of everything consumed by the mother for the same 7-day period The questionnaires can be downloaded from this site.
I charge an initial fee for three sessions: the initial consultation, which takes a minimum of an hour and a half, and two follow-up visits or calls, which normally last up to an hour each. The fee can be paid by cheque, Mastercard or Visa. My services may not covered by provincial or state Medical Plans, but some insurance companies do pay for dietetic services through extended health benefits.
Please contact Dr. Janice Joneja at vickerstaffhs@shaw.ca to make an appointment.
Please complete the Registration form and return all completed questionnaires to me by email attachment, fax: 250-377-3248, or to the following address
| Dr Janice Joneja 2016 High Canada Place Kamloops, B.C. V2E 2E3 Canada |
Food and Symptom Record for Breast-fed Baby
Food and Symptom Record for breast-fed baby eating some solids
