Introducing Allergens: Peanuts & Peanut Butter

Why early is better

You might have heard that it’s best to hold off on giving your baby peanuts until they’re older — but new research says the opposite! Studies, like the big LEAP trial, showed that babies who tried peanut products from around 4–6 months were much less likely to develop a peanut allergy later on. In fact, this benefit seems to last into their teens.

The NHS now recommends introducing peanuts (and other common allergens like eggs) from about 6 months, once your baby is ready for solid foods. Waiting until after 12 months may actually increase the risk of allergy.

How to do it safely

We caught up with Lucy Upton, The Children's Dietitian to get her advice on the safe introduction of peanuts and peanut butter.

⚠️ Whole nuts and chunky peanut butter can be a choking hazard — don’t give these before age 5. Instead, try:

A little smooth peanut butter thinned with warm water, breast milk, or formula - ensure it's 100 per cent peanuts
A small amount of finely ground or milled unsalted peanuts mixed into porridge, mashed fruit, or yoghurt. You can also spread thinly on toast or pancakes, soft crackers of baby biscuits. Blend into curries, stir-fry sauce or add to cereals of muffins.
Never offer peanut butter undiluted directly from a spoon.

Start tiny — about a pea-sized or quarter of a teaspoon amount is enough for the first try. Build up gradually, increasing slowly over the next few days.

Offer the food earlier in the day so you can check for reactions. Never offer close to or before bedtime. It's better to offer allergens on days where you don't have lots of plans, so you give yourself enough time and space to monitor your little one.

Only offer one allergenic food at a time. If your baby does react, we want to know which allergen is the culprit. Also avoiding the introduction of allergens when your baby is unwell as it will be difficult to know whether any symptoms are allergy or illness related.

Don't worry if your baby doesn't want to eat it. Introducing allergens can be an anxious time for parents and there is a temptation for you to just want to 'get it in'. Consider your baby's overall feeding experience and never be tempted to force feed.

What to look out for

Most babies won’t react at all. But just in case, keep an eye out for:

Mild: a rash, redness around the mouth, runny nose.
Severe (rare): swelling of the lips, tongue, or face; trouble breathing; sudden floppiness.

👉 Call 999 straight away if you notice severe symptoms.

If they have a mild reaction, or you suspect a food allergy, avoid offering it again until you have consulted a health professional.

Keep it going

If your baby is fine with peanut, make it part of their diet regularly. This helps keep up their tolerance.The current recommended 'maintenance' dose for peanuts, particularly for babies and children at higher risk of food allergy is 2g of peanut protein two or three times a week. One 2g serving looks like 1 heaped teaspoon of smooth peanut butter.

When to ask for help

If your baby has severe eczema or an existing food allergy, speak to your GP or health visitor before giving peanut. They might suggest testing or introducing it under medical supervision before 6 months.

Key tip to remember

Introduce peanuts around 6 months, keep it safe (smooth and thinned!), and if your baby’s happy with it, keep it in their meals often.