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Kate, I ate peanuts when I was pg with Olivia and with Charlie as I was never told not to, and they are both fine with peanuts and have no food allergies. For some reason I went off them when I was pg with Lexie.....so I never ate them when I was pg with her....
Ask your Dr, but you are right, there is conflicting info out there. Personally, for me, I think in moderation is OK.......
I have heard that eating peanuts can expose bubs within the womb to the allergens/proteins, increasing their chances of being allergic in childhood etc..
I ate peanuts during my pg (beforeI was aware it could be a problem) and Aidyn does have a peanut allergy. (there are no food allergies in anyone in my family either).
However I have heard many opinions on both sides of the fence for this issue. So I guess the best thing is to do your research and make an informed decision.
I will definately be steering clear of them in my next pg due to Aidyn's allergy, but there are many people that have eaten peanuts in pg and their baby has been completely fine with them later in life.
I read recently that there is no evidence to suggest that eating peanuts during pregnancy increases (or decreases) the chance on a peanut allergy and therefore there is no reason they should be avoided. The same article stated that SOME organisations suggest not eating peanuts after 20 weeks in case they cause an allergy. Contradiction in the one article! Definately have a chat with your doc for advice.
MG
I think it's only a worry if someone in the immediate family has a nut allergy - DH has one so I can't eat nuts whilst pg or BFing (no nuts whatsoever, although I have had some brazil nuts and pine nuts when they were in meals). I tell you, the second the BFing stops I'm going to buy myself a 5kg tub of peanuts and sit and scoff. Have to eat them all in one sitting else DH will come home and smell them and that will give him an allergy attack.
I think it is one of those maybe/maybe not situations. I've always eaten peanuts....well, nuts of all different kinds really. They are so good for you and are an excellent snack.
None of my children have an allergy to peanuts or any other foods. I might be just lucky but you never know.
Maybe do some research to put your mind at ease or perhaps contact a dietician and find out from them?
Lisa
Like Ryn said, I think it's only mainly if there's someone in your family allergic to them.
My dad is allergic to them and my dr advised me not to eat them while pg or breastfeeding.
My DH also has a nut allergy, makes him vommit constantly and his airways get all swollen. I have never stopped eating them myself, as my doctor said it was not a worry,, and all my boys are fine,, no allergy with any of them at all.
Isnt it a pain though when all the so called "profesionals" cant even make up their mind and agree?
I read on the internet a couple of months ago that if you have nut allergies in the family (my brother is violently allergic to almost all nuts and seeds) you should avoid nuts in pregnancy and when I asked more about it here, I was reassured that it shouldn't be a problem. I then read it again the other day in a magazine called 'Pregnancy and Birth'....so now I'm all annoyed at myself again for giving in to my peanut butter addiction and snacking on a handful of cashews from time to time. I guess we'll find out in the future what will happen with the little guy....I hope he doesn't have the same affliction as my brother, it's nearly killed him a couple of times.
I have had cravings for peanut butter on toast and want to know is it really that bad? How likely is it that bubs will have a peanut allergy?
Yeah I am interested in that query too Tinsel! I love eating peanuts and we have some in our pantry that I help myself too every 3 or days (just a handful). I am curious to know if my Bub will come out with an allergy too? Sorry I can't answer your question though because I too am wondering! LOL. :lol:
I ate peanuts throughout my pregnancy and even now that i am breastfeeding with no problems....
I did not know that you are not suppose to eat peanuts when you are pg!!! We have peanuts and raisens each wednesday before bbq, and yes during pg also!! She is still to small for me to test for peanut allergy, but I will remember it!!
Tinsel...I had the same craving as you...and pretty much ate peanut paste on toast every lunchtime throughout 2nd trimester.
From what I understand, you only need to be worried about a peanut allergy if there is a strong history of peanut allergies in your family history...
The jury is still out on this I believe...
There is no history of any food allergies in DP or my family, yet Aidyn has a peanut allergy, along with a couple of other foods.
I ate heaps of peanut butter during pg, and probably also during my early (short lived) breastfeeding as well.
What is theorised is that bubs can be exposed to the peanuts through the placenta, and in breast milk. It is these inital exposures in minute amounts that can cause the body to develop an immune system defense against it - an allergic reaction. So basically it doesn't have to be the first exposure to an allergen that will set off a reaction - the reaction will occur at later exposures, but its the earlier exposures that set up the reaction. Thus they don't recommend kids even trying peanuts until after the age of 3, as their systems may not be mature enough and more prone to developing a reaction...
I will have a search through my uni health databases and see if there are any research articles & studies on this topic...
I don't think any of us need to worry about that sort of thing in pregnancy.
I am a ceoliac (allegic to wheat, gluten and so on) I didn't even find out till i was 17yrs old.
And the most suprising thing of all is during pregnancy i have found i can eat whatever i wish, bread, pasta, pizza. And the other thing is ia am one of 3 girls, and i'm the only one with ceoliac. And mum didn't change her diet at all cause she was pregnant. She'd always eaten healthy - growing up in a farm there are no other choices.
I don't think there is anything, anyony of us can do to avoid food allergies. Now days there are rampant in school yards, i strongly believe that it has something to do with all the processed food eated now days. How many peoples grandparents had/have these food allergies? I know mine definatly did not!
Would love to hear how many of you ladies have allegies?
Kirby
Kirby, isn't Coeliac genetic though, I didnt think it would make a difference what someone ate (for Coeliac in particular)
I'd heard the same as Monnie, that if you had a history then to avoid things like peanuts, but Ambah's experience conflicts with that. I wonder whether there have been any proper studies done into this area?
Like Ambah said, the jury is definitely still out on this one - and probably will continue to be until they find something else to confuse pregnant women with!!
I was told that it is "probably ok" unless there is a history of allergies in either family, but I took the view that if there was any doubt whatsoever then I couldn't live with myself if something went wrong. Pregnancy is only 9 months after all, so its really not that much of a sacrifice. I took the same view with alcohol - didn't have a drop while I was pregnant due to the lack of agreement by the so called experts as to whether or not it was harmful.
I've definitely made up for my lack of peanut butter now though!!
kirbstar - I definitely agree that the processesing and chemicals added to foods, and other things in our environment have certainly influenced the influx of allergies that we see in todays kids...
Rachel - I read somewhere that studies in this area might be difficult, due to it being a bit unethical I guess (to unnecessarily expose bubs to peanuts I am guessing), but when I have the time I will do some searching on the health databases I can access and see what is out there.
rayray i have never been told it's genetic!
And i know peole who have the exact same reaction to wheat as a child would to peanuts. Each case is very different, and depends in severity.
I know i my case, i can eat wheat but i would pay the price 8hrs after sitting on the loo with a bucket and yes, simultainsly!
Allegie reactions range from rashes all the way through to anaphletic (spell). So like i said each case is different!
Kirby
I'm fairly sure that coeliac can be genetic, ie - if you have it, you must keep a very close eye on your child, as there is a higher chance of them having it...
I think there is a difference between peanuts, and say wheat for example when regarding allergens transferring across. Apparently the level at which the peanut protein transfers to bubs is quite high - and I have read that it is especially high through BM.
This is interesting, I wish I knew more... I will try to find the time to research this in the next couple of days.
yep Nellbe told me that Coeliac disease (as opposed to wheat allergy) is inherited. She has it.
Thats really interesting if thats a true fact! As i have no family members with coeliac - and was brought up on a wheat farm!
I would say its not 100% inherited iykwim, and people may develop coeliac - without having parents with it. Just as your child may not develop it, but would have a much higher chance due to genetics...
I ate peanut butter all through pg (I craved it) and my DS is fine, my cousin who has a family history of peanut allergy did as well and had a baby with peanut allergy but the interesting thing is- she had twins and only one of them has the allergy the other one is fine!
I actually did eat plenty of peanuts during my pg with Aidyn though ;):
It seems to me that you can do everything by the book and avoid lots of things during pregnancy and breastfeeding, and like Ambah, still have a child with allergies.
But I understand what you are saying... especially when the research doesn't appear to be very clear or definitive, there is no need to unnecessarily worry.
Although in my case, yes guilt does come into it... because had I been aware that there were risks associated with eating peanuts (although they are controversial) and had I chosen to abstain, I wonder if my son would still have a peanut allergy? Its impossible to know though, so I try not to feel guilty for too long... though because I am pg, and because of my experience with Aidyn, I am avoiding peanuts during this pg...
I think you shouldn't have it because it tastes awful!!!!
I agree with Mads: use common sense and do your research rather than subscribe to every thing you hear.
I personally eat a lot of peanut butter, ate all through my pregnancy and am still eating whilst BFing. None of my children have allergies to anything (that we are aware of anyhow). I would have been more cautious if there was a family history of an allergy though.
Um, secochook: that's a rather odd comment. I don't doubt you don't like peanut butter, but whether you personally like or dislike it is not up for debate ;) Most kids don't like their vegies, doesn't mean fairy floss is good for them! IYKWIM Peanut butter is quite nutritious and I would rather my children eat that than nutella for example.
Back in the days they ate everything and anything, and you never heard of allergies.
Now days, we know so much and we still have so many problems. I think it just comes down to eating fresh unprocessed food. No additive and preservatives, that is what slows down the immune system weakening our bodies, so we become more susceptible to infections, allergies and diseases.
Bathsheba, it is just a little bit of light humour. Yes I don't like peanut butter (I always enjoyed my vegies as a child, maybe I'm not normal), so not really weird. No need to get your back up. I'm new to these boards, a rare male who is trying to get information (My wife is in her second trimester so I feel I'm in the right area) yet trying to keep a light hearted attitude.:
No need for the lecture on an obviously flipant comment. This, I thought is a forum for all.
Kind regards
Jason
My GP told me only not to eat peanuts if I'M allergic to them in which case i would die anyway! and otherwise it's fine! She very much reassured me that peanut butter wont hurt bubby.
Jason: that's great you have come looking for information for your wife. Yes you are in the right place.
Hi there,
I have just read a lot on this as I have been craving peanut butter and was also concerned.
Apparently, and you can read much to confirm this, you only need worry if you or your hub have a peanut allergy yourself. You eating peanut butter can then trigger the allergy in the foetus.
They suggest you should also be careful if you or hub have other allergies such as ezcsma, asthma or hayfever.
So, hope that helps. Sorry if it spoils your craving as it did mine!
Jason- I thought you were joking! Are you in the army? DH said your user name sounded army.
Hi Christine, thanks for that, I am practicing my "Dad's Joke". And your DH must also have had some army background. I had eight years in the ARes as a grunt. Ended up as a Section Commander (Seco) in Signals Platoon (Chooks).:
DH was in regular Army! He was a roach.
Thanks for your replies everyone, very interesting. I have only been naughty once since posting and had peanut butter on toast..mmmm
Hi Tinsel
I read in a few books that nuts are ok, as long as you dont have an allergy to it. And I find what helps me throughout the day are nut bars. My naturopath recommended them. I would think peanut butter is ok but of course having them too often isnt healthy, not because of allergy but over indulging. I think might just have some for afternoon tea now.. hehe
Well I just want to add that I am craving peanut butter soooooooooooooooooooo badly and I can't have it cause my fiance is allergic and they say that it might affect the baby!!! Aaaarrrggghhh!!! I want it soo bad!
i ate peanut butter on taost and in sandwiches constantly during pregnancy and bfing, at lesat once a day usually more though, Archie doesn't have any food allergies, he eats peanut butter now just fine. i actually didn't realise when i was pg and bfing that i wsn't supposed to eat it.
oh rustygirl, you poor darlin. It's awful to crave something you can't have but hopefully you will crave something you can have soon.