By Sonja Storm

Earlier introduction of cereals, fish and egg into infants' diets while continuing to breastfeed can provide protection against the development of asthma and allergies by age five, according to new research.

In Ireland, current recommendations by the HSE on weaning state that the introduction of spoonfeeds should start at six months for exclusively breastfed infants and between 4-6 months in infants that are fed formula milk.

For infants weaned before six months of age, parents are recommended not to give cereals (foods containing gluten); egg; cow's milk and other dairy products.

Peanut-containing products are advised to be avoided altogether in families with a history of allergies, asthma or eczema until the age of three. When weaning before six months of age, parents are recommended to give baby rice instead of gluten-containing cereals, the Irish recommendations state.

However, according to the new study from Finland, it is beneficial to introduce cereals, fish and eggs into infants' diets at an earlier stage than generally recommended

The research indicates that breastfeeding should take place for longer periods than previously recommended, but it should be combined with a diet of the above foods at an earlier stage of infancy.

A Finnish study, by researchers at the University of Tampere, has indicated that the recommendation of exclusive breastfeeding for four to six months as a preventive strategy against asthma and allergies in childhood is not supported by emerging research evidence.

The researchers suggest that exclusive breastfeeding in early infancy does not necessarily protect against asthma where the child might have a predisposition towards the condition.

The Finnish researchers say the introduction of wheat, rye and barley cereals at 5.5 months or less, fish at nine months or less and egg at 11 months or less might decrease the risk of asthma, allergic rhinitis and potential sensitivity to allergens.

They said introducing complementary foods early while continuing breastfeeding might be more important as a preventive strategy for the development of allergies and asthma in childhood.

The study found that children introduced to wheat, rye, oats and barley before they were five and a half months old had lower rates of asthma and allergies.

The researchers note that a long duration of breastfeeding, rather than concentrating on exclusive breastfeeding, appeared to be beneficial in preventing asthma.

The researchers analysed data on the diets of 3,781 consecutively born children for the study, which is published in The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology.

Read more on weaning here