• There is some evidence that breast-feeding helps prevent children from developing eczema and food allergies, but probably does not reduce asthma. Also, if there is a history of allergies in your family or if you think your baby may have allergies, slowly introduce new foods in his/her diet so you can monitor responses. Be especially careful of the foods known to cause an allergic response in many people: nut-based foods (like peanut butter), dairy products, soy, fish, shellfish, wheat products and eggs. Watch for hidden ingredients in packaged foods.

Can a Child "Outgrow" Asthma?

• Approximately 50 percent of children with asthma appear to outgrow asthma when they reach adolescence. Once someone develops sensitive airways, they remain that way for life, although asthma symptoms can vary through the years. As a child's airways mature, they are able to handle airway inflammation and irritants better, so their asthma symptoms may notably decrease. About half of those children find their asthma symptoms reappear in varying degrees when they reach their late thirties or early forties. There is no way to predict which children may experience greatly reduced symptoms as they get older. New triggers may set off symptoms at any time in people who have asthma. If your child has asthma, keep "quick relief" medications on hand (and up-to-date), even if symptoms are rare.

Tips for Parents

• When a very young child has a chronic illness, parents can feel stretched to their limits as they try to manage. Consider these tips for coping:

• Learn the warning signs for increasing asthma in infants and toddlers. Know your child's particular asthma symptom "pattern."

• Develop an asthma care management plan with your child's physician. Make sure the plan provides guidelines to follow if asthma symptoms get worse. Understand when your child's symptoms require emergency care.

• Follow your asthma care plan every day! Don't alter from the plan until you consult your healthcare provider. Even if your child's symptoms are gone, stick with the plan until you discuss changes with the doctor.

• Get regular check-ups to help reduce your anxiety.

• Teach your toddler or preschooler to tell you when they are not feeling well.

• Work out an emergency plan of action to follow if your child has a serious asthma episode. What hospital will you use? (Be sure your doctor uses that hospital and it is in your health care plan.) Who will take care of your other children? How does your medical coverage provide for emergency care?

• Above all, don't let your child's asthma become the focus of your relationship! If you use good health care practices to manage your baby or toddler's asthma, you'll be able to think less about asthma and enjoy your child more!