DP has numerous family members with athsma (both parents, maternal grandparents, both siblings).

Does anyone have any info on what foods to avoid/delay to minimise DD's chance of getting asthma?

Things I have heard and implemented so far are:
- breastfeed for at least 6 months
- no solids before 6 months
- no wheat before 7 months
- no cows milk except in cooking before 12 months
- no dried fruit that has been treated with sulphur

Also I was wondering if since DP's athsma is not food-related (he is however allergic to cats, dust and some pollens), does this mean there's not a lot of point worrying about DD's food?

My doc and MCH nurse have only given me very general info, so I was wondering if anyone here has some more specific advice or can recommend a book or web site.

Thanks!

I'm asthmatic - not seriously so - DS1 is prone to croup & DS2 (who was very ill at birth with lung problems) is also prone to croup, cehst infections and quite possibly asthma.

Our paediatrician says that the main reason DS1 is not a full blown asthmatic is because of extended breast-feeding (14 months). Hoping to make it longer with DS2 - but it's not looking great at the moment. So the single best thing you can do is breast feed as long as possible.

DS1 started solids at 4.5 months (he was ravenous) and DS2 at 5.5 months. Suphurs aren't great - and personally I have a problem with 224, and someimes 220 (in large quantities).
Food-wise, neither boy appears to have any intolerances (except banana and avocado) and I have not held off dairy or wheat at all. IMHO - there's not a lot of point - but perhaps you should talk to a paed.

HTH and good luck.

The fact that you are breastfeeding will be the biggest protective factor. Just out of curiosity, was your husband breastfed at all?

I'd keep off the sulphur for as long as you can and in general anyway.

Wheat isn't recommended until 9-12 months anyway. It can be quite allergenic and is better to wait until a baby's gut has matured a little before offering. Especially if there is a history of allergies, like there is with your family. I'd be leaving this till much closer to 12 months.

can i just tell you that many people have had great success with failsafe diet and asthma. The effecting foods can actually make the person more sensitive to pollutants and other triggers. the effects often dont take place for a few days making the intolerance hard to recognise.

also try and BF longer than 6m, you will find more positives anyway, as most formulas are cow milk based.