Clwyd East MP, Becky Gittins is calling for a review of infant feeding and weaning guidance with a focus on ensuring children with a high risk of allergy are better supported.

The MP will be presenting her Ten Minute Rule Bill to Parliament next week and is seeking clearer and more consistent guidance on baby and infant weaning and the safe introduction of allergens for children at higher risk of developing food allergy. Becky also wants to ensure that more primary care practitioners are able to provide support – currently too many patients are unnecessarily referred to specialists, leading to huge waiting lists in the NHS. Finally, the Bill is also asking for more proactive work to prevent allergies.

Whilst the Government continues to recommend exclusive breastfeeding for the approximate first six month of life, it does also state that the deliberate exclusion of peanuts or eggs beyond six to 12 months of age may increase the risk of allergy to these foods.

However, there is evidence to suggest that early introduction of allergens during weaning from four months old – for children who show symptoms of eczema and some signs of allergy prior to six months – reduces the risk of these children going on to develop allergies.

A LEAP study from 2015 demonstrated that consumption of a peanut-containing snack by infants who are at high-risk for developing peanut allergy can prevent the subsequent development of allergy. The study involved children between 4 and 11 months of age who were identified as high risk for peanut allergy, based on an existing egg allergy and/or severe eczema. Of the children who avoided peanut, seventeen per cent developed peanut allergy by the age of five years. Whereas only three per cent of the children who were randomised to eating the peanut snack developed allergy by the age of five.

Becky Gittins said:

“The rates of allergic diseases across the UK have been on the rise and we have some of the highest rates of allergic conditions in the world – currently affecting over one quarter of the population. The cost to the NHS of managing allergic disease is over £1bn per year.

“The number of children affected by food allergies has doubled since 2008 and it is one of the most common chronic diseases in children. I firmly believe there is a need for more consistency in guidance given to parents and carers. Public health advice around food allergy is based on a 10-year-old report – this is a rapidly developing field where other developed countries have taken a more aggressive approach.

“We know that the evidence shows that introducing allergens earlier rather than later for children who show a risk of allergy, can be dramatically beneficial for their health. I want the Government to review the current guidance and work with medical practitioners and the allergy community to do all we can to prevent food allergies from materialising in young children.”