Giving DD peanut butter

littlemurphy2912 · May 2014

We haven't attempted to let DD try peanut butter yet but I'm not sure when we will. DH and I are just nervous about what we do if she does have an allergic reaction to it, what are signs that she's allergic, is it really a problem if we don't offer her peanut butter for awhile? There is no one on either sides of our family that is allergic to peanuts and I don't know what the chance would be of DD being allergic either. Does anyone have kids that are allergic to it? Has anyone already given peanut butter to their kids and if so at what age you first gave it? Our pediatrician said that we can try and give DD pretty much any food but to just be careful with new things we try to give to her to see if she does have a reaction to it. We are probably being dumb but just thought I would ask you all on your thoughts and experiences.

Ncstatemom · May 2014

DD does have a peanut allergy and we found out when we gave her peanut butter for the first time at one year. Her reaction was hives and it was pretty obvious she was reacting. To answer your question, no one else in our families have food allergies, including our older DS, so this came out of nowhere for us. We have given her plenty of other foods that are high allergic types (shrimp, crab, almonds, eggs, etc) and she has no other allergies that we've seen...just the peanut butter.

However, all that said, it's most likely that your DD won't react to it. We just apparently got unlucky. If you are really nervous, have some bendryl ready to go. You probably won't need it and if you do, you're ready.

There's also no reason to give it to her now if you don't want to. There's no proof that waiting or giving early makes any difference in terms of allergy.

Crequito · May 2014

DH and I were super nervous as well because my cousin's son has a peanut allergy and I've seen him have a reaction - scary. We were going to take a jar to her 1 year appointment and give her some in the doc's office so if she did have a reaction we could get her treated immediately. Well, all didn't go according the plan and I forgot to grab the pb off the counter. We wound up putting a little on toast about a week later and she liked it and didn't have any reaction so we figured everything is ok. Since then she's been at get togethers where people have had nuts out and she loves cashews and peanuts!

fusionbride · May 2014

Latest research shows no benefits for delaying introduction of allergens for normal-risk kids, and it may actually be beneficial-- so I would go ahead and introduce it.

Like you, I was nervous, so I had children's Benadryl and my doctor's number on hand.

I gave both peanut butter and almond butter to my kid around 8 or 9 months. I just spread a little on puffs or cheerious. I just did it on one or two the first day. And then did a little more the next time, and then figured she was fine and brought on full servings of PB sandwiches.

here is one article on the new AAP recommendations, but you can probably find more info on their website: https://health.yahoo.net/experts/dayinhealth/prevent-kids-food-allergies-start-peanuts-eggs-sooner

dufferoo · May 2014

We did the whole baby-led weaning thing and let out son have peanut butter when he first started on solids, probably around 7 months. He didn't have a reaction.

=Lee=B · May 2014

We gave it at about 7 months (BLW). Sooner is better as you are alert when doing it at first...better than a stray peanut being in a cookie given while out and your not looking for those symptoms. I also think it would be less traumatic for the child if they are too young to understand.

Remember that typically the child will react with hives after first contact...then anaphylactic the next exposure so treat hives as being very serious when it comes to high allergy foods.

Beth.1212 · May 2014

DH and I were nervous, and we ended up putting a little on DS's arm first to see if there was a topical reaction. Figured that'd be easier to get rid of that PB in LO's tummy

Luckily, we had no problems and LO has been happily eating PB sandwiches. (Though he prefers sunflower seed butter ones!)

jess9802 · May 2014

My stepson is allergic to peanuts and tree nuts, but we still decided to offer DS peanut butter shortly before his first birthday. He loved it and had no reaction.

FWIW, my husband says the first time my SS tried peanut butter at about 9 months old, he immediately threw up. He has had accidental peanut/nut exposure since then and each time vomits, but he's never needed to use his Epi-Pen. (Yet.)

ASmallWonder · May 2014

I agree with trying it sooner than later because better to try it in a controlled environment so you know what you're facing than have her come in contact with it at a bday party or school or something.

LisaLisa1980 · May 2014

It's better to give sooner, rather than later. I can't remember exactly how old DS was when we gave it to him, maybe around 8 months when we started BLW. Spread it on toast! He loves it. We use Adams PB - all natural.

valeriegp · May 2014

We gave my son pb around 12 mo when he started asking for pieces of my toast (I LOVE pb and eat it on toast 2 or 3 times a week for breakfast). He is 17 mo now and eats pj&j sandwiches with the pb&j very thin. He loves them.

As others said, the chances are that your daughter won't have a reaction, and better to give it when you can observe.

SLGILL1978 · May 2014

We also did baby lead weaning. My daughter had peanut butter around 9 months. I introduced a variety of foods to her prior to one with the exception of honey, nuts, popcorn, etc.

divajackie67 · May 2014

If you are very nervous you can pull into the pediatrician or ER parking lot and feed peanut butter in the car.

I gave him a tiny amount on the tip of my finger at 10 months. Then another the next day. Now, he eats pb and j's all the time.

ss265 · May 2014

Beth.1212 said:

DH and I were nervous, and we ended up putting a little on DS's arm first to see if there was a topical reaction. Figured that'd be easier to get rid of that PB in LO's tummy Luckily, we had no problems and LO has been happily eating PB sandwiches. (Though he prefers sunflower seed butter ones!)

This! My nieces have nut allergies so we were nervous about introducing DS to peanut butter. We tried a little on his arm first and then fed him some a day later. I made sure to do it on a day when the pediatrician was open so I could rush him there if needed.

woohoo02 · May 2014

My DS (who is 9) has peanut allergies, so we actually haven't introduced it to DD yet. I have to talk to his allergist to see when we can get the green light to introduce.

DS' initial reaction was itchy, red, watery eyes. An allergy test confirmed it.

Also, just for your own information -- a lot of people who are allergic to peanuts are also told to refrain from tree nuts because of a high risk of cross-contamination. A lot of times a person allergic to one will be allergic to the other as well.

SurpriseAt39 · May 2014

jociejones said:
We did the whole baby-led weaning thing and let out son have peanut butter when he first started on solids, probably around 7 months. He didn't have a reaction.

^this.

HZ2012 · May 2014

I'm nervous too. LO had his 12 month appt on Friday and I asked about it. Pedi said it's absolutely fine to do it now and just keep an eye for any reaction. He said if LO were to have a reaction gd forbid it would be a rash/hives, and then you know.
Next week after Memorial Day I'm goin for it!
I was nervous about berries too - I worry about everything though!

welly01 · May 2014

We did BLW and introduced it I think around 8-9 months. I was a little nervous about it at first, but our pedi said that the first reaction is usually mild (hives, itching, etc). Its not likely the first exposure will be fatal. I also had plenty of Benadryl on hand in case anything happened. DS was fine and eats peanuts/peanut butter all the time now.

Just take a deep breath and do it! Also, like a PP said, its better to know there is an allergy rather than just continue to avoid and risk accidental exposure.

natalie5851 · May 2014

If you're really worried about it, there's nothing that says you HAVE to give your baby peanut butter. But if neither of your families have food allergies, it's probably not very likely. Things always do happen though. We gave our son PB at 11-12 months I think. Just a small layer in a pb and j sandwich. No reactions and he ate it just fine

AZMagnini14 · May 2014

Oh boy! We just tried peanut butter on Monday! ONE bite and then he rubbed his cheek. Well we ended up in the ER 30 minutes later. His eye, lips, nose swelled up fast!

I wish I would have thought to first put it on his arm to see if there was a reaction. And if I had benadryl on hand! Double fail. All is well now, he is home, happy, and I just bought the grocery store out of Benadryl to keep on hand at every grandparent's house, school, diaper bag etc. We started allergy testing yesterday, so time will tell the severity

Do it at home in a controlled setting and have benadryl available! We have NO history in our family of peanut or any food allergies really. You never know!

Want a personalized experience?

Giving DD peanut butter

Re: Giving DD peanut butter

Choose Another Board

Search Boards