According to George Halpern, M.D., at the University of California at Davis, in a year long controlled study of 120 adults, he found that eating 6 ounces of yogurt a day significantly reduced the number of days the subjects had hay fever attacks, especially from grass pollens. They also had fewer symptoms of hay fever and allergies. He also found that you need to begin eating the yogurt three months before the hay fever season to give your system the time it needs to build up. It works apparently because the yogurt stimulates production of gamma interferon that fights off allergic reactions and infections. He found that 6 ounces of yogurt with live cultures is beneficial, but found even better protection in those eating 1.5 to 2 cups a day.
Onions also contain a compound effective in boosting immune response.
It summary, it does make sense to wait a while longer before serving your daughter cheese or yogurt, because there is a family tendency towards allergies. Once she is older you can help her build her immune system to help reduce allergic symptoms by feeding her a nutritious diet with a daily serving of yogurt containing live cultures. Thank you for writing. You should not rely on this information as a substitute for personal medical attention, diagnosis or hands-on treatment. If you are concerned about your health or that of a child's, please consult your family's health care provider immediately and do not wait for a response from our professionals.