The no peanuts/peanut butter during pregnancy thing SUCKS!

smiling76 · September 2010

Seriously. And yes, I realize many of you reading this will say "WTH is she saying??? I've never heard of that."

Flash back to when I was pregnant with DS---I lived off of peanut butter and apple slices and almonds. Flash forward to after DS was born and I was breastfeeding and still eating those things among other things and wanting to know what was wrong with him---colicky crying and gas, skin issues, vomiting, reflux, etc. At 1 yr we realized he had some severe SEVERE food allergies (that require an epi pen)--only one of which is peanuts/tree nuts.

I come to find out it's a big no no to eat peanuts and stuff like that during pregnancy. I had NO clue. When I talked to the several allergists about it, they looked at me like I was a dumby and should have known it. Did you guys????

I soooo want Reeses pieces right now......

luckily, because of DS's allergies we eat sunnut butter (made from sunflower seeds)--and tastes very much like peanut butter--high in protein. Figured I'd share because I truly didn't know this "rule". Apparently it's on the march of dimes site among others.

ETA: Neither DH or myself have a peanut allergy--so it's not like it runs in the family for us. We were shocked.

Mcarrieb85 · September 2010

https://www.marchofdimes.com/professionals/14332_1819.asp#head2

Please dont go around making people worry for no reason. Do some research first. Heres the march of dimes website.

09Bride03 · September 2010

We have no history of food allergies in our family either. I ate PB and other nuts throughout both of my pregnancies. No one ever mentioned to me NOT to.

I'm sorry your son has so many food allergies, it certainly has to be challenging!

laurmarie7 · September 2010

I ate peanut butter almost every single day during my pregnancy with DS. He is just fine and loves peanut butter as much as I do!

My OB said it's completely fine to eat it. Everyone's different though! I hate that for you that your DS requires an epi pen... that's no fun! But, at least you caught it early!!

jteneback · September 2010

I have never heard of this - during nursing, yes, but pregnancy, no. My sister is violently allergic to fish and tree nuts and I know my mom ate both all the time while she was pregnant. I thought the baby was protected in utero.

gunnit · September 2010

i have never heard of this, i was just told not to give my baby peanuts until she is a year or two old to make sure she isnt allergic... i'm sure if you have a reeses cup every once in a while you will be fine

smiling76 · September 2010

Mcarrieb85:

https://www.marchofdimes.com/professionals/14332_1819.asp#head2

Please dont go around making people worry for no reason. Do some research first. Heres the march of dimes website.

The link is helpful--thank you, however as I've added there was no indicatation that there'd be a peanut of allergy (or allergies of any kind)--so we were shocked to find out he's allergic to them---especially since DH and I are not, as the link indicated. Just figured I'd throw it out there since we had so many specialists that told me to avoid them.

jazzyag · September 2010

i ate tons of peanuts while pg with DD, she has no allergies. it was one of the few things that didn't make me sick in the first tri, but i didn't over do it with them either. I think it's mostly genetic. eating peanuts while pg can only trigger allergies if they're already susceptible to allergies in the first place.

shouldbworkin · September 2010

Some kids just have allergies, ok. I didn't over indulge in peanuts when I was PG or briefly BFing DS and he was allergic. I way over indulged with PB while PG and BFing with DD and she is not. Go figure! I was a dairy lover when PG with DS and couldn't have cared less about it when PG witih DD. Both have dairy protein intolerances (and neither DH or I do). It is just in our genes, nothing I did or didn't do when PG made them allergic or sensitive. I urge you to talk to your OB and allergist about this some more. But, these rules definitely do not apply to everyone.

FutureMrsCaesar · September 2010

I'm really sorry your DS has food allergies, it must be difficult. But I really don't think you caused them by what you ate while pregnant. He was probably going to have those allergies regardless of what you ate while you were pregnant. Lots of people have nut allergies and their parents do not, it doesn't have to be an inherited thing.

iris427 · September 2010

I'm sorry about your son's allergies.

There is no way I am giving up peanut butter during pregnancy. I think the "everything in moderation" rule applies here.

Also, I am looking up studies and there does not appear to be a clear causal relationship between eating peanuts during pregnancy, and having a child with peanut allergy. So I'm not worried.

gunnit · September 2010

iris427:

I'm sorry about your son's allergies.

There is no way I am giving up peanut butter during pregnancy. I think the "everything in moderation" rule applies here.

Also, I am looking up studies and there does not appear to be a causal relationship between eating peanuts during pregnancy, and having a child with peanut allergy. So I'm not worried.

iris!! we meet again!! welcome back, congrats and a h&h 9!!

2bejunebride06 · September 2010

Mcarrieb85:
https://www.marchofdimes.com/professionals/14332_1819.asp#head2

Please dont go around making people worry for no reason. Do some research first. Heres the march of dimes website.

Yeah, I understand what the OP is trying to say, but there are some very general/sweeping statements being made that shouldn't be. This is why we get the stupid "can I eat this/that during pregnancy" questions...because someone somewhere told them that they can't based on information that doesn't apply to everyone or isn't tested conclusively yet.

FWIW, my DD has a severe peanut allergy which requires that we carry an epi pen. I haven't heard any of her allergists say anything about eating peanut products while pg. I'm not avoiding them this time around either.

ams8099 · September 2010

SouthSideDrea:
Mcarrieb85:
https://www.marchofdimes.com/professionals/14332_1819.asp#head2
Please dont go around making people worry for no reason. Do some research first. Heres the march of dimes website.
This! Enough with the fear mongering!

No kidding.

When I met with my OB, he explained that I should eat about an extra 500 calories a day. He gave the example of a PB&J sandwich with a glass of skim milk. Why on earth would he give me that example if it was really a no-no.

iris427 · September 2010

gunnit:
iris427:

I'm sorry about your son's allergies.
There is no way I am giving up peanut butter during pregnancy. I think the "everything in moderation" rule applies here.
Also, I am looking up studies and there does not appear to be a causal relationship between eating peanuts during pregnancy, and having a child with peanut allergy. So I'm not worried.

iris!! we meet again!! welcome back, congrats and a h&h 9!!

Thanks, congrats to you too! Smile

TheCricket · September 2010

I honestly feel for you about your son's allergies. It is terrifying at best, and I know first-hand because my best friend since childhood has two children with SEVERE food allergies, and has had to make many a trip to the ER with a child who was turning blue, even with the Epi pen.

But... there have been absolutely no studies that have proven that the mother's diet has to do with this, nor has anything ever been positively linked. I agree it is something we are doing in our society, but what that is, even the AMA doesn't know for sure. Some people even go as far to suggest that avoiding certain things whilst pregnant (such as tree nuts) can be the cause of intolerance in children.

If your doctor has you believing that you should avoid peanuts, you should probably do it so you have some peace of mind. Missing a few PB&Js won't kill anyone. But - please look into this more, so you don't worry yourself more than you already understandably are with your son.

Check out my friend's organization - - there is a lot of great info to be found here: https://www.protectallergickids.org/

ManiacMcGee · September 2010

There is even some evidence that it actually reduces the risk of developing a peanut allergy.

(Sorry, you may need a subscription to view that article. But trust me.)

bikernun · September 2010

I read a similar article about peanuts. I had wondered if that was the reason that my dd was allergic to peanuts bcz that is all I craved during pregnancy with her. It's not a proven fact, but an actually theory that scientist are trying to test.

My mom is actually allergic to peanuts too so I'm sure it is inherited. Just bcz you don't know of anyone in your immediate family that is allergic to nuts does not mean that someone has not had that allergy.

miesl · September 2010

https://www.bmj.com/content/340/bmj.c424.full

Peanuts = tasty

drpayne · September 2010

Mcarrieb85:
https://www.marchofdimes.com/professionals/14332_1819.asp#head2

Please dont go around making people worry for no reason. Do some research first. Heres the march of dimes website.

This. Both my allergist and OB said peanuts are fine.

mandymodel82 · September 2010

HEY IM NOT A DR OR ANYTHING BUT I DOUBT WIC WOULD PUT PEANUT BUTTER ON PREGNANT WOMENS FOOD VOUCHERS EVERY MONTH IF YOU SHOULD STAY AWAY FROM IT DURING PREGNANCY

CutieBean79 · September 2010

I don't think you caught this sentence in the article:

However, recent studies have found no evidence that avoiding peanuts in pregnancy helps prevent peanut allergies in the child (3, 5).

luvdv8 · September 2010

I was told not to worry about eating peanuts at all in both pregnancies by two different doctors.

m0132 · September 2010

I'm really sorry about your son's issues and I will say that my sister was extremely careful about what she ate while pg and BFing and her son is allergic to just about everything, sometimes it just happens. However, I read that there is no link between eating nuts or peanut butter during pregnancy and having LOs with those allergies. In fact, the dietician I had for GD with DD told me to eat apples w/ peanut butter and have peanut butter a lot to add in some extra protein. I think every child is different and it is fine to eat things within moderation while pg, you never know what your child may or may not be allergic to. If not eating peanut butter puts your mind at ease though, thats all that matters.

skio · September 2010

Alarmist, much? Sheesh.

I'll be enjoying many a fluffernutter sandwich over the next week while camping, TYVM.

EmandChris08 · September 2010

I had definitely never heard of this, so I decided to do some research after reading this post.

I found the following... not sure if this is from a credible source:

"Once a family has an allergic child, parents want to avoid allergy problems for future children in the family. Studies have shown that if a mother avoids all foods that family members are allergic to for her entire pregnancy and until weaning, later children are far less likely to have allergic symptoms.

If you or a close family member suffer from food allergies, take note of these allergenic foods to avoid while breastfeeding."

https://www.loveyourbaby.com/foods-to-avoid-while-breastfeeding.html

So according to this site at least, it's only recommended that you avoid these foods IF you have another child that has the same allergy. Maybe because your subsequent children will be more likely to have the same allergy??

But if you ask me, it seems like there is no proof one way or the other... so I would prefer not to have to avoid certain foods based on a theory alone...

yourmom5309 · September 2010

09Bride03:
We have no history of food allergies in our family either. I ate PB and other nuts throughout both of my pregnancies. No one ever mentioned to me NOT to.

I'm sorry your son has so many food allergies, it certainly has to be challenging!

This.

Scout05 · September 2010

OP - I remembered your story and asked my OB about it. He said the research is iffy at best.

I'm sorry your son is dealing with so many challenges, it must be hard on all of you.

kmw326 · September 2010

My friend ate peanuts and peanut butter consistently when she was pregnant with her twins. They are 2 now and have not shown any signs of peanut allergies.

MG7 · September 2010

I also ate pb a lot when I was pregnant and bfing and DS has no allergies now.

The pb allergy can be scary, I'm a teacher and I've seen a lot of kids with very severe allergies. I had to get epi- pen trained last year.Good luck!

MaddysMama07 · September 2010

I ate a peanut butter sandwich literally every day while pregnant with DD. She has no allergies to speak of.

virginiagirl11 · September 2010

I have not read about any sort of connection between pb and allergies but I have read about a connection between nuts and asthma. I have been trying to limit my nut consumption to once or twice a week, although I'll tell you that I am l-o-v-i-n-g pb right now so that's a really hard one to do.

Marinewife81 · September 2010

Peanut butter is a great source of protein. I had a severe meat aversion in my first trimester and it was the only way I had to get a decent amount of protein in. I've also read the research and there doesn't seem to be a link between eating peanut butter when you're pregnant and your kids having an allergy. In fact, there was just an article in Parenting magazine about a child who was "cured" of a severe peanut allergy by doctors giving him peanut powder.

flamingos2010 · September 2010

I'm so sorry your son has food allergies! I know how difficult it is to try and find foods that children will actually eat... it must be so tough to have to work around allergies as well..makes it even more difficult!

I've never heard of having to stay away from peanut butter/peanuts while pregnant.. I basically lived off of the stuff my first 2 pregnancies and now this pregnancy as well. Neither of my son's have food allergies, including peanut butter.

I do plan to ask my Doctor about this at my next visit though since of course, I worry about every little thing. When my SIL was pregnant, I remember her making a comment about how her Doc said she "couldn't eat peanut butter while pregnant" I was shocked to hear that .. especially since she was always making fun of me for staying away from certain foods while pregnant!

Thanks for sharing

KRISTA555 · September 2010

I am an exclusive breastfeeder. I eat peanut butter on whole grain bread every single morning for breakfast. I did this all throughout my pregnancy too.

As with anything, each person needs to do their OWN research, and do what's best for THEM.

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The no peanuts/peanut butter during pregnancy thing SUCKS!

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