For all infants, including those with severe eczema and/or existing food allergy, peanut and other solid foods should be introduced around 6 months (not before 4 months) and in the first 12 months, when developmentally ready, as recommended in the ASCIA guidelines for infant feeding and allergy prevention.
Offer the first taste on a small spoon. For babies and children under age 4, mix peanut butter with 1 safe food at a time. Do not give plain peanut butter to any baby or child under age 4. Do not push your baby to eat more than he wants.
6 to 11 months old:
Thin unsalted, smooth peanut butter out with water, breast milk, formula or purées like applesauce and either serve on its own for finger painting or mix into other foods like yogurt (if dairy has been introduced) or other scoopable foods.
The new guidelines released on Monday by the Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy (ASCIA) advise parents to feed babies peanut butter or paste and eggs by 12 months but not before four months. Australian guidelines back introducing eggs and peanuts to babies before 12 months.
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends parents introduce allergenic and non-allergenic foods - including peanuts - starting around 4-6 months of age, in infants without a history of an allergic disorder, such as eczema or food allergies.
Your Baby and Peanut Butter
One thing to remember is to never give a child under 3 years of age whole peanuts because they pose a choking hazard. For most babies, it is encouraged to introduce peanut butter between 4 and 6 months of age. Doing so greatly decreases the risk of developing a peanut allergy.
Talk to your doctor, but it is likely safe to introduce peanut products around the 6 month mark. They have no signs of eczema or food allergies. Offer peanut products soon after starting solids as you introduce all sorts of other foods.
Once your baby is older and ready for finger foods (usually around 8 to 10 months), you can spread a thin layer of peanut butter (or another nut butter) on toast, then cut the toast into bite-size pieces before serving it.
How common is peanut allergy? PEANUT ALLERGY IS THE SECOND MOST COMMON FOOD ALLERGY IN CHILDREN AND IS ON THE INCREASE. IT OCCURS IN ABOUT 1 IN 50 CHILDREN AND 1 IN 200 ADULTS. PEANUT IS THE MOST LIKELY FOOD TO CAUSE ANAPHYLAXIS AND DEATH.
You can introduce eggs to your baby around the same time you introduce solid foods, which is around 6 months old. In the beginning, however, you'll want to start with very soft or pureed foods (which can include whole grain infant cereals) before you progress to offering more textured foods.
Yogurt can be introduced as soon as baby is ready to start solids, which is generally around 6 months of age.
An allergic response to peanuts usually occurs within minutes after exposure. Peanut allergy signs and symptoms can include: Skin reactions, such as hives, redness or swelling. Itching or tingling in or around the mouth and throat.
If your child is allergic to peanut, it may cause symptoms in multiple areas of the body, including: Skin: hives (red, blotchy skin that can itch) and may include mild to severe swelling. Lungs: difficulty breathing, shortness of breath, coughing or wheezing. Eyes: itching, tearing or redness.
If your infant has a peanut butter allergy, your baby's skin may become very pale. They could have diarrhea and/or vomiting as their body tries to expel the peanut butter or other food allergen. They may develop hives, or red, splotchy rashes on the skin.
It's generally considered safe to give your baby jam from about six months, however, the NHS and other experts against giving sugary foods to babies and young children.
You can give your baby cheese on toast once they are around 6 months old. This is a great first food for them to try as it is soft and easy to chew. You can either give them plain cheese or add a little bit of mashed up fruit or vegetables to it.
Hummus can generally be introduced to babies around the 8 - 9 month milestone as long as it is bland to begin with. Babies' intestinal systems are not fully developed at this stage, and they may have trouble digesting certain spicy ingredients.
Any smooth peanut butter can be used so long as peanut is the main ingredient. Once peanuts have been introduced and are tolerated successfully, include them in your child's diet on a regular basis (ideally 3 times a week but at least once a week).
Never smear or rub food on infant skin, especially if they have eczema, as this will not help to identify possible food allergies. This could also sensitise the infant, who may then develop an allergy to that food.
But the "peanut butter kiss" is a bad idea. Based on what scientists call the dual allergen exposure hypothesis, this kiss won't work, and may actually increase your baby's peanut allergy risk.
9 to 12 months old: At this age, babies develop a pincer grasp (where the thumb and pointer finger meet), which enables them to pick up smaller pieces of food. As such, this is a great time to move down in size to thin matchstick strips of toast or small, bite-sized pieces of bread.
Peanut butter is a choking hazard for children under 4 years old. Thick gobs of peanut butter can get stuck in a young child's throat and become a choking hazard, so avoid serving spoonfuls of peanut butter.