Did I Cause My Child’s Food Allergy?

Welcome to the Allergy, Asthma & Immunology Innovations podcast. We continue our latest series on food allergies, looking at the emotional side of having a child with food allergies. We are covering the guilt many parents experience when their children are diagnosed. 

In this episode, hosts Kortney and Payel Gupta M.D, are joined by Joanne Moreau M.D, a board-certified allergist and immunologist. Together, they address how parents should not feel guilty or responsible for their child’s food allergies. They walk through how food allergies develop, what role eczema and genetics play, what the science says about pregnancy, and breastfeeding.

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Other Ways to Hear to Food Allergy Parent Guilt

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Thank you to Genentech for sponsoring this episode.

This podcast is for informational purposes only and does not substitute professional medical advice. Any mention of brands is also informational and not an endorsement. Always consult with your healthcare provider for any medical questions or concerns.

Key Takeaways About How Food Allergies Develop

So many parents carry guilt after a food allergy diagnosis. They replay choices made during pregnancy, worry about breastfeeding, and wonder if they waited too long to introduce certain foods. This episode looks at the known causes of food allergies and the things families can do going forward.

  • How food allergies develop. The immune system, genetics, and environment all play a role, and science is still uncovering why.
  • Food allergy genetics and family history. A parent with asthma, eczema, or allergic rhinitis raises a child’s risk, even if they do not have food allergy themselves.
  • Eczema and food allergy. Cracked or swollen skin lets food proteins in before the food is introduced via feeding, which can cause the body to treat that food as a threat.
  • Pregnancy diet, breastfeeding, and food allergy. Research does not support the belief that what a mother eats during pregnancy, or whether she breastfeeds, causes food allergies in children.
  • Early allergen introduction. Introducing allergenic foods between 4 and 6 months of age, and keeping them in the diet consistently, is one of the best tools we have.

Episode Timestamps From Our Podcast About Food Allergies and Parental Guilt

03:12 — Parents who blame themselves

07:55 — Genetics and food allergy risk

10:23 — The microbiome and food allergy

12:20 — Diet during pregnancy

14:30 — Breastfeeding and food allergy

17:06 — Early allergen introduction

20:38 — Eczema and food allergy

34:19 — Protecting the skin barrier

39:55 — Babies without eczema

Additional Resources About Food Allergies

Check out more podcast episodes about food allergies.