How and When to Introduce Peanut to Your Baby
Peanut is one of the most talked-about allergens for good reason: the landmark LEAP study found that introducing peanut early and keeping it in the diet dramatically reduced the chance of a peanut allergy developing in at-risk infants. For most babies, that means offering peanut in a safe form around 6 months rather than waiting.
Safe ways to serve peanut
- Smooth peanut butter thinned with warm water, breast milk, or formula to a spreadable, non-sticky consistency
- A spoon of thinned peanut butter stirred into oatmeal or yogurt
- Peanut puff snacks that dissolve easily (for babies who can already manage them)
🛒 Our pick Want the no-mess option? A dissolvable peanut puff (Bamba is the exact snack used in the LEAP study) is an easy, choke-safe way to get peanut in regularly.
General tips for introducing allergens
- Most babies are ready for solids around 6 months, once they can sit with support and show interest.
- Introduce one new allergen at a time and wait about 2–3 days before the next, so any reaction is easy to trace.
- Once an allergen is tolerated, keeping it in the diet regularly is part of current guidance.
- Offer allergens earlier in the day (not right before bed) so you can watch for any reaction.
- If your baby has severe eczema or a known food allergy, talk to your pediatrician before introducing peanut or egg.
New to allergens? Read the complete introduction guide →
Signs of an allergic reaction
- Hives, redness, or swelling (lips, face, tongue)
- Vomiting or lots of drooling/coughing right after eating
- Widespread rash or worsening eczema
- Trouble breathing, wheezing, or floppiness: call emergency services immediately
Frequently asked questions
When can babies have peanut butter?
Most babies can try peanut in a safe, thinned form around 6 months, once they are developmentally ready for solids. Babies with severe eczema or an egg allergy should be evaluated by a pediatrician first, as guidelines may recommend earlier, supervised introduction.
How much peanut should I give a baby?
Start small: a tiny taste of thinned smooth peanut butter. Then, if tolerated, work up to a regular amount a few times a week. Keeping peanut in the diet regularly is part of current guidance. Ask your pediatrician about amounts.
What are signs of a peanut allergy in babies?
Watch for hives, swelling of the lips or face, vomiting, or a widespread rash within about two hours. Any trouble breathing or floppiness is an emergency. Call emergency services.
Sources
- American Academy of Pediatrics (HealthyChildren.org): starting solids & allergens
- NIAID 2017 Addendum Guidelines: prevention of peanut allergy
- LEAP Study (Learning Early About Peanut Allergy)
Track it in Yummy Yucky
Log first tries, get nudged through the 3-day allergen watch, and keep every bite in one place you can share with your pediatrician.
Start tracking for freeHow we write these: from widely published pediatric guidance (AAP, NIAID 2017 guidelines, the LEAP study), with sources cited on every page. Pending review by a pediatric professional.
This is general information, not medical advice, and has not been individually reviewed for your baby. Always talk to your pediatrician about your baby's diet, introducing allergens, and any reaction. In an emergency, contact emergency services.
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