Peanut allergy in babies
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)
Want age-by-age prep, nutrition, and storage? See the full peanut food guide →
Ready to start? Introducing peanut, step by step →
🛒 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.
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
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 to 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 →
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 YummyYucky
Log first tries and reactions, with an automatic allergen tracker when a food needs one, all in one place you can share with your pediatrician.
Start tracking for freeLast updated July 2026. Next review January 2027. How we write these: grounded in widely published pediatric guidance (the AAP, WHO, the NIAID 2017 allergen guidelines, and the LEAP study), and pending independent review by a pediatric professional. See our editorial and medical policy for how we research, source, and update these.
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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