When Can I Introduce Peanut Butter?

[Cricket]

Just came across this in an article in the paper today.

"Meanwhile, new evidence has even called into question the standard advice that young children be deprived of potentially allergenic foods for their first years, based on the belief that early exposure may lead to allergy later. A British study compared about 5,000 Jewish children in the U.K. who rarely ate peanuts as babies or toddlers and a similar number in Israel who started consuming peanut products early on. The British, peanut-avoiding children were 10 times more likely to develop peanut allergies, according to a paper last November in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology."

Food for thought.
My kids had peanut butter from about 11-12 months on, and we haven't had issues, but then, there is no family history of any type of food allergy either. You can talk to your GP and see what he/she recommends.

[Michelle71]

We have no family history of allergies. DS had peanut butter around 12 months but doesn't really like it and so it isn't a favourite. He has my nutella on toast though He also eats nuts (mostly cashews) which is against the current schools of thought. However the other viewpoint is that he has teeth / molars and can chew so it is ok to give them. He eats them under supervision.

There is significant debate about when to introduce potential allergens and there is no clear answer. The literature does not give anything definitive either. There are guidelines but these change. You need to do what you are comfortable with and monitor for any signs of reaction such as swollen lips / tongue or a raised red rash which is common for ingested allergens.

[Nai]

DD had peanut butter at 12months and is allergic to peanuts. She was given egg at 10months and was also allergic to that. We had her tested at the Royal Childrens so it was absolutely positive that she has allergies. Neither DP nor I have any food allergies.

Fortunately she has grown out of her egg allergy but she will have to wait until November for a retest on peanuts.

I would do as a PP suggested that you do a small and gradual skin test prior to giving your child an actual taste.

[Sequoia]

Great discussion and advice girls, thanks.

We are actually 38km's from the nearest hospital, in a rural area, so I think when I do try it I'll make sure we are in Perth in case anything happens.

I'll try the skin patch first though.

Thanks!

[Nai]

Shoegal - that's a good idea. I have a friend who lives in Dubai and as it takes over an hour to get to the hospital she is going to give her DD peanut butter for the first time while sitting in the car in the hospital carpark!