The impact of infant feeding practices on the risk of developing food allergies

Introduction.Food allergy in infants is a major health problem in urbanised countries, the incidence of which is increasing and is a challenge for both parents and doctors.In the first months of life, a child's body is particularly sensitive to allergic reactions, therefore knowing the risk factors is crucial for the prevention and management of this health problem.Objective.The aim of this study is to examine the impact of infant feeding on the development of food allergies, with particular emphasis on breastfeeding, formula milk, the method of expanding the diet, vitamin D supplementation and probiotics.The potential benefits and limitations of each method be presented.Brief description of the state of knowledge.In scientific studies, there is a significant indication of the positive impact of breastfeeding on the proper development of the infant's intestinal microbiome, which is associated with a reduced risk of developing food allergies.However, the effect of formula feeding, as well as vitamin D supplementation, remains unclear and depends on many variables.Appropriate supplementation with probiotics may have a beneficial effect on the proper development of the intestinal microbiome, thereby reducing the risk of food allergies.It is not recommended to avoid or delay the introduction of allergenic foods to infants.Summary.The use of appropriate infant feeding methods may reduce the risk of food allergy in infants.However, further research is needed on the effectiveness of these interventions and their optimal strategies as part of comprehensive infant care.