When is it safe to give my son peanut butter?

Question

I thought that at the age of 1 it was ok. But I went to my sons 12 month appointment and he said it is the only thing that he still can not have. We changed the subject so quickly I forgot to ask when he can have it. So does anyone know when it is really safe to give my son peanut butter?

Answer 1

Pediatricians recommend not giving a child peanut products until they are 3 years of age. A child's immune system is not fully developed until then. An allergy is developed when ones immune system attacks the harmless proteins in things like peanut butter. An allergy does not develop after the first time ingesting a food it may not even develop after the 2nd, 3rd, or 15th time so even if your child has had peanut products it's best that you stop feeding him until he is at least 3 years of age. Peanuts can cause the most deadly allergic reactions in a person so it is best to play it safe and wait until your child is older so that he is less likely to develop the allergy.


Also no one knows who will and who won't develop an allergy, just because some parents have given their children peanut butter before the age of 3 and haven't had any problems doesn't mean that your child will be the same. And there are plenty of people out there with food allergies that have no family history of them. So I suggest you use caution.

Answer 2

This is a very contraversial issue you have brought before us. my daugher was eating peanut butter by the age 1 1/2-2years. You will get conflicting answers. It's best to use your own judgement along with family food allergy history.

http://babyparenting.about.com/od/nutritionandfeeding/f/peanutbutter.htm
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.


http://parenting.ivillage.com/tp/tpnutrition/0,,3vxm,00.html
In all the reading I have done, I have not come across such news. It seems contrary to my understanding of allergies. I do not understand why a particular allergy would be on the increase, since allergies are not something that you catch. A person must first have a genetic tendency for an allergy before they will get it. Perhaps your pediatrician is confusing an increase in the number of cases of peanut allergies with an increase in reporting. For any food that is a common allergen, it is best to wait until one year of age before introducing them to a child who has a family history of allergies. This time wait gives the child's immune system and digestive system a chance to mature to a point where it can better handle the allergens. However, unlike other common allergens, children allergic to peanuts tend to never 'outgrow' the allergy.

Unless you have a family history of allergies, particularly to peanuts, there is no need to wait to introduce peanut butter, since if he is allergic to it, age seems not to be a factor in the case of peanuts. If he isn't allergic than you will not have withheld a great kid food that can make a very positive contribution to his diet.

If I do come across such news in the nutrition literature that I read, I will report it on the Ask the Nutritionist page for everyone's information.

I have done a little more reading and did notice literature in which there is a reported rise in peanut allergies amongst toddlers. The reasoning is that more toddlers are eating peanuts and peanut butter. The interesting note is that the research was carried out in England and France, where peanut butter was not typically consumed by kids. It seems perhaps, that they are now catching up to the U.S. The studies did not mention an increase in peanut allergies in the United States.

Answer 3

I started at 1 and didnt have a problem but who knows. just keep a really close eye on him. and start with just a little bit. the thing is, if hes going to be allergic he will be at 1 and 2 so either age you just need to keep an eye out. and watch him beacause it can be a choking hazard if they eat too much without drinking. if you have ANYONE in your family that is allergic though i would wait until hes older than 2.....maybe in the doctors office. haha

Answer 4

My 2 yr old granddaughter loves peanut butter. Maybe the doc is worried about allergies. My suggestion is to call him and ask to be 100% sure.

Answer 5

at 2 yrs old but try a very small amount first just 2 be safe if hes ok then u can start giving him more

Answer 6

You can start at 2 years.

Answer 7

I heard they up'ed it to like 3 years recently due to such a high allergy

Answer 8

I started giving it to my daughter at about 18mos. I always make sure she has drink to go along with it

Answer 9

2yrs