How To Safely Introduce Peanuts To Your Little One

How To Safely Introduce Peanuts To Your Little One

The last thing a parent wants is harm to their child. So, when you know, there’s a common and potentially dangerous food allergen out there, like peanuts, the natural response is to banish them from the menu. But as skilled allergists, we have good news for you — you can help your child avoid developing a peanut allergy when you take the proper steps early on.

Our Advance Allergy & Asthma team understands that food allergies can be scary, especially those involving peanuts. And, if your child has shown signs of a peanut allergy in the past, we recommend working closely with one of our experts moving forward.

However, an early and safe introduction can reduce your child’s chances of developing a peanut allergy. Here’s what you should know.

Know their risks

Generally speaking, experts recommend that you begin introducing foods with peanuts to babies around six months of age — typically after they’ve started consuming other solid foods. This early introduction can help desensitize their immune system to this type of food, reducing their chances of having an allergic reaction in the future.

While it’s true that peanut allergies can be very serious and even life-threatening, certain factors can increase a child’s chances of food allergies, such as:

As your child nears the six-month mark, we recommend talking to their doctor about their potential risks. If they have a food allergy, the safest plan could be to work with us to perform an allergy test before giving them the food.

Understand the signs of a food allergy

Next, it’s crucial to know the symptoms of a food allergy. Common signs of a food allergy include:

Allergic reactions can occur up to two hours after having a new food, so plan on watching your baby closely for several hours. Seek medical attention immediately if these symptoms arise.

Get organized

If your doctor thinks it’s safe to introduce your baby to peanuts, and you know the signs of an allergy, it’s time to get started.

First, pick a day when you have at least two hours to watch your baby for a reaction. Plan on doing it while you’re at home and when they’re completely healthy.

Next, don’t give children under four plain peanut butter; never give children under age five whole nuts. 

Instead, mix smooth, all-natural peanut butter with another safe food, such as:

For babies, peanut butter recipes often include two teaspoons of peanut butter and approximately 2-3 tablespoons of the safe food mixture.

Take it slow

Now, it’s time to begin.

Give your baby a taste of the peanut butter recipe, and stop. That’s right! After that first taste, wait 10 minutes. During this time, watch them for signs of a reaction. If 10 minutes pass without any issue, you can give them the rest of the peanut butter recipe — if they want it — at their normal eating rate. 

Don’t forget; a child can have an allergic reaction to food for up to two hours, so continue watching them after their first exposure.

If your child doesn’t show any signs of a peanut allergy, experts recommend giving them two teaspoons of a peanut product thrice weekly. This regular exposure can help them avoid developing a peanut allergy.

When a child does show signs of a peanut allergy, we recommend additional testing from an expert. Depending on their allergy screening, we can offer personalized guidance moving forward.

Want to learn more about food allergies and children? Contact Advanced Allergy & Asthma in Ogden, Utah, to schedule a consultation today.

 

You Might Also Enjoy...

Managing the Dry Skin that Comes With Eczema

Eczema is more than simply dry, itchy skin. It’s a condition that makes it difficult for your body to retain moisture. Fortunately, there are ways to manage this problem and reduce uncomfortable flare-ups.

Can a Gluten Allergy Affect Your Voice?

You probably don’t associate allergy symptoms with your voice. But food allergies can often trigger issues with the throat and lungs. Are you concerned you have a gluten allergy? Keep reading to learn more about how it could affect your voice.

Swear Off Acne For Good With AviClear

Are you tired of living with mild to severe acne? Do you feel like you’ve tried everything to improve your complexion, but nothing seems to work? It could be time to turn to AviClear™, the first and only FDA-cleared energy device for this condition.

What To Expect After Rush Immunotherapy

Are you eager to find solutions for your allergy symptoms that don’t involve more medications? Rush immunotherapy provides the same relief as traditional allergy shots — but they do it in a fraction of the time.

5 Common Hives Triggers and How to Avoid Them

Do you have itchy, red patches on your body? Feel like these welts came out of nowhere? Whether small or large, hives can range from mild to severe and develop for various reasons. Sound familiar? Here’s what you need to know.