When did you first give your toddler peanut butter?

Question

Were you worried about allergies? How much did you give and at what age?

Answer 1

There really is no definitive answer to this question. Much depends on your family history. If you or anyone in your child's family has a food allergy or allergic type disorder (like asthma or eczema) or if your child has had a food allergy in the past, then you should wait to introduce peanuts and peanut butter. How long? According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, you should wait until your child is 3 years old.
In addition, mothers with any history of a peanut allergy in the family should avoid peanuts and peanut butter in the third trimester of pregnancy and for as long as they are nursing their children.

If there is none of the above in you or your child's history, however, then peanut butter can be a healthy addition to the diet even before your child turns 1 year old.
Just be sure to avoid giving big spoonfuls of peanut butter and never give children under 3 years of age whole peanuts because these pose a choking hazard.
With all that said, be aware that a peanut allergy can be severe, lifelong and potentially deadly. Look for signs of an allergic reaction such as:
hives
difficulty breathing or asthma symptoms
swelling of the mouth or throat
vomiting or diarrhea
loss of consciousness
These signs can appear in just minutes or they make take hours, so be watchful during this time and do not wait to call 9-1-1 or your health care provider. Call immediately!
If you are concerned about your child having a peanut allergy, the only real way to avoid the danger is to avoid peanuts and peanut butter altogether. But be aware that for the majority of children, there is no danger.

Answer 2

We tried it around 2 and she got a little rash so we avoided peanut butter but didn't think twice about items that could have been processed with peanuts. By the time we got to the allergist when she was 2.5 we learned that she's got a bad peanut allergy and we have to avoid everything that is nut related. Most doctors suggest waiting until they are 3, that's what our doctor has told us recently when we asked what to do about our youngest. When you do decide to give it just let them have a little bit, spread a teaspoon on some bread or put it on a cracker. But you have to keep in mind that they first time they have it there may be no reaction, but the second and third time there could be so just monitor the intake to be safe!

Answer 3

I usually give my kids peanut butter around age 1. I first give a small amount to see if they like it, and watch them the whole time for choking. If they like it I put a thin layer of it on a slice of bread for them to eat. Like most first foods, you introduce it to them when they are not eating any new foods so that you can quickly pick up a possible allergy.

Answer 4

my daughter, 11mo, just started getting peanut butter and jelly sandwhiches. i was a little worried about allergies since my mother in law is allergic to nuts and dairy. my husband and i have no food allergies. we have tried cheeses and yougert with our daughter and had found out by trial and error that she breaks out in a rash when given certain dairy products like yougert, but had not broken out with the peanut butter. whole peanuts because they are a choking hazard should not be given to a child untill they have a full set of teeth, around 3-4, chucky peanut butter included. if you spead a thin layer of creamy peanut butter on some bread or a banana then feed it to your child, you should watch for signs of allergies anywhere from 5mins to 1hr latter. my daughter beaks out in a hive rash just 5mins after eating yougert, she looks like she has the chicken pox. if the small amount about a tea spoon doesn't have an effect try a bit more another time, and agian watch for signs/symptoms of allergies. after awhile and nothing shows up, then you are free to give your child peanut butter just make sure that it is the creamy kind. introducing peanut butter is just like introducing a child to solid foods, try small amounts first and look for reactions. chances are if you and your husband do not have food allergies and noone in your imediate family have food allergies then your child won't have them. just error on the side of caution, because peanut/tree allergies are one of the most common food allergies in children.

Answer 5

I took this Child Development class that said not to give your child peanut butter or honey until after they are a year old. I started giving my daughter p.b without peanuts at about 2 years old. Maybe a bit shy of.
I wasn't worried of allergies. If I worried about feeding my daughter peanut butter, then I'd be worried about her on the playground, or catching lice, or getting the chicken pox. You just gotta roll with it and deal with it when it happens.

Answer 6

You can give your toddler peanut butter at 12 months as long as you spread it very thin on bread or crackers. Don't give it to your toddler with a spoon, it can be a choking hazard.

Answer 7

My sister gave all of her kids peanut butter at age 1 and that was in a p,b,and j sandwich.And she was onley worried about allergies with fish and pets.(not ateing them justing haveing them.

Answer 8

I think she was about three. Never really thought about allergies. She had eaten peanuts and had never presented any problems. She was for awhile fond of peanut butter and banana sandwiches.

Answer 9

I gave my daughter peanut butter when she was 9 months old. She had alot of teeth and started table food. I spread it very thin on her toast. Even now @ 14 months i dont give her very much pb at one time because i dont want her to choke.

Answer 10

If he was allergic you probably would have known by now due to the fact that there are traces of peanuts in many products. If you are that worried, take a peanut and rub it on his skin. If he is allergic you will see a reaction.