The analysis is out! It’s time to place this controversial subject to relaxation. Primarily based on the groundbreaking LEAP (Studying Early About Peanut Allergy) trial revealed in 2015, introducing peanut butter to your child at an early age might assist lower the chance of its allergy.
In this trial, 640 infants between the ages of 4-11 months and at excessive threat of peanut allergy had been randomized to both the peanut consumption group or avoidance group till 60 months of age. Upon the completion of the trial, the contributors had been examined to find out the presence of a peanut allergy. The outcomes confirmed that 17.2% of those that prevented peanuts examined optimistic for the allergy. However, solely 3.2% of these uncovered to peanuts earlier than 60 months developed an allergy. So, introducing peanut butter to your child considerably decreased the event of peanut allergic reactions in high-risk infants. (1)
When to Introduce Peanut Butter to a Child
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) not too long ago got here out with suggestions for the introduction of peanuts for peanut allergy prevention. Largely influenced by the LEAP trial, the suggestions are as follows:
- introduction between 4-6 months for high-risk infants,
- introduction round 6 months for delicate to moderate-risk infants, and
- introduction relying on household and cultural follow for infants at low threat for peanut allergy.
Threat evaluation is predicated on the presence of eczema and/or egg allergy. Infants with no eczema or any meals allergy are thought of low-risk for peanut allergy. The advice contains detailed steps for testing peanut reactions for high-risk infants, which you’ll learn extra about in Easy methods to Assist Stop Peanut Allergy in Children. (2)
Developments in Peanut Allergy Therapy
In January of 2020, the FDA permitted a brand new peanut allergy therapy, Palforzia [Peanut (Arachis hypogaea) Allergen Powder-dnfp]. It may be began with children with a peanut allergy analysis who’re ages 4-17 years previous. Whereas kids who’re utilizing this FDA-approved therapy should nonetheless keep away from peanuts, it will possibly assist lower their reactivity to any unplanned publicity. As at all times, work together with your well being care group to pursue such a therapy.
What does this imply for fogeys?
Advancing expertise and science might reveal extra prospects inside the future. So, preserve an eye fixed out for any new developments, and you should definitely work with a educated allergist earlier than pursuing any of those choices upon FDA approval. As with every remedy, it’s necessary to guage the dangers and advantages on your baby and household. For security functions, keep away from attempting to desensitize your baby from allergens at dwelling with out medical supervision.
What to think about earlier than introducing peanut butter to your child
In case your toddler is at high-risk for peanut allergy, seek the advice of your pediatrician to find out a secure plan of action previous to the introduction of peanut-containing meals. Attributable to choking dangers, keep away from giving complete nuts to kids earlier than age 5. It’s additionally not really helpful to offer peanut butter immediately from a spoon or in lumps earlier than age 4. So, proceed with warning. As a substitute, attempt crushing, mixing, mixing, and chopping nuts to an age-appropriate degree and take a look at the opposite choices beneath.
When introducing peanut butter to your child, be looking out for doable reactions. Gentle allergy signs might embody a brand new rash or hives across the mouth or face. Extra extreme signs might encompass lip, face, and tongue swelling, widespread hives, problem respiration, repetitive coughing, change in pores and skin coloration, and/or sudden tiredness. In case you assume your baby is experiencing a extreme allergic response, search medical consideration/name 911 instantly. (3)
Straightforward Methods For Introducing Peanut Butter (4)
- Dilute 2 teaspoons of peanut butter with 2-3 teaspoons of sizzling water, components, or breast milk and funky earlier than serving.
- Combine 2 teaspoons of peanut butter into 2-3 tablespoons of pureed child meals.
- For older child take into account making your individual peanut butter teething biscuits.
If you’d like another choice that doesn’t contain peanut butter, try peanut-containing child snacks like peanut puffs.
What are the important thing takeaways?
In case your toddler is at excessive threat for peanut allergy, AAP recommends an early introduction to peanuts. So, you should definitely seek the advice of together with your medical supplier to find out a plan for introducing peanut butter to your child safely.
Whereas there might not be a remedy for peanut allergic reactions, desensitization to a small amount of peanuts could also be doable. To not point out, it could assist put your thoughts comfy when attempting completely different packaged meals, eating places, or whereas at social occasions. However, if you have already got a baby with a peanut allergy, check out What if Peanuts Might Remedy Peanut Allergy symptoms?
Bio: Amy Chen, MS, RD, CDE is a registered dietitian within the San Francisco Bay Space. She enjoys writing, spending time along with her household, and discovering straightforward recipes.