What is the purpose of the study?
By 1 year of age, 10% (1 in every 10) of babies in Australia will develop a food allergy. Evidence to date suggests that the ideal time to prevent food allergy may be during breastfeeding, but little is known about the effect of what mothers eat while breastfeeding on the risk of food allergies in their babies. This research is testing whether the amount of nuts a mother eats during breastfeeding has an influence on her baby’s food allergy development.
Who is eligible to participate?
Pregnant women with:
- a singleton pregnancy (expecting one baby), and
- at least one family member (you, partner or child) with a history of allergic disease (eczema, hay fever or food allergy), and
- plans to breastfeed for at least 6 months, and
- no peanut or cashew nut allergy.
What does the study involve?
Participants will be randomly assigned to one of two study groups: a ‘low peanut and cashew nut diet’ group OR a ‘high peanut and cashew nut diet’ group. Participants will be asked to follow the diet advice for their group from when their baby is born until their baby is 6 months old. The study involves completing some short SMS surveys and phone calls with study staff and just one in-person visit at the end of the study. The outcomes of any peanut and cashew nut allergies will be compared in the babies of the two groups at 1 year of age.
Why participate?
If you need any breastfeeding advice and support, we will arrange for you to be referred to a Lactation Consultant, the cost of which will be covered by this study.
You will receive infant feeding and allergy prevention guidelines, as well as education on recognising the symptoms of an allergic reaction and advice of what to do if this happens. Your baby will also receive free nut allergy testing at 1 year of age.
Your participation will help us develop national recommendations to reduce nut allergies in babies, which may benefit you and your family in the future.
Who is conducting the study?
The Nuts For Babies Study is being led by the Telethon Kids Institute in Perth, WA (Chief Investigator: Assoc Prof Debra Palmer).
How can I get involved?
Please email nutsforbabies@telethonkids.org.au with:
- Your full name
- Your email address
- Your mobile number
- Stage of pregnancy (weeks)
- Any questions or comments you may have (optional)