Maternal Diet & Eczema in Nursing Babies

Identifying Eczema

• Eczema can manifest in several ways. The skin can become itchy, red, and swollen. According to WebMD, the skin might become itchy before it appears red. Because babies are unable to say whether they are in discomfort because their skin is itchy, they might appear more fussy or restless than usual. When a rash appears, it can be reddish or turn brown, and it will seem dry, thick and scaly. Eczema most often appears on the face, back of the knees, wrists, hands, and feet in adults, but it appears mainly on the face and scalp in infants, according to WebMD. However, it can appear anywhere on an infant's body. An eczema rash in infants can produce oozing and crusting. Eczema affects as many as 10 percent to 20 percent of infants, compared with only about 3 percent of adults and children.

Foods Linked to Eczema

• Several foods might be linked to eczema in infants. According to the Kelly Mom website, the most common foods that cause allergic reactions such as eczema are cow̵7;s milk products, soy, wheat, corn, eggs, and peanuts. Any food that a family member is allergic to might also cause problems. Cow's milk and dairy products are the most likely foods to cause allergic reactions and eczema is a common reaction in children with a cow's milk allergy, according to the La Leche League International.

Elimination Diet

• Most babies do not experience problems with anything that moms eat, and it is recommended that breastfeeding moms eat whatever foods they like, according to Kelly Mom. However, if a breastfeeding mother notices the development of allergic reactions in her baby, such as eczema, an elimination diet might help. Mothers should start by eliminating the most likely culprit, cow's milk, from their diet for at least three weeks. Some foods can persist in the body for two weeks, so it is important to stop eating them for at least three weeks to ensure they are purged from the body, according to Kelly Mom. If symptoms dissipate, it might be likely that the eliminated food was causing the problem. Mothers should work their way through eliminating common food allergens to see whether it provides some relief.

Professional Care

• Mothers should visit their pediatricians to get treatment for their baby's eczema. A pediatrician can provide a topical ointment or other medication that can provide relief from symptoms. A pediatrician can also evaluate a baby if symptoms of eczema persist to determine whether an underlying medical issue is causing the reaction.