For years, parents were told to wait. Wait until age two or three to give their baby peanut butter. Wait until the child was older, safer, less likely to react. But the data didnât match the advice. In 1997, about 0.4% of U.S. children had a peanut allergy. By 2010, that number had jumped to 2%. The more we delayed, the more allergies grew. Something was wrong.
The Turning Point: What the LEAP Study Changed
In 2015, a study called LEAP - Learning Early About Peanut Allergy - turned everything upside down. Led by Dr. Gideon Lack in London, researchers followed 640 babies at high risk for peanut allergy because of severe eczema or egg allergy. Half were told to avoid peanut completely. The other half got 2 grams of peanut protein - about two teaspoons of peanut butter - three times a week, starting between 4 and 11 months of age. By age five, the difference was shocking. In the group that avoided peanut, 17% developed an allergy. In the group that ate it regularly, only 3% did. Thatâs an 80% drop in allergy risk. It wasnât just a small trend. It was a revolution. The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) responded quickly. In January 2017, they released new guidelines based on LEAP and other studies. These werenât suggestions. They were clear, evidence-based rules for parents and doctors. And they worked.Three Risk Levels, One Simple Rule
The current guidelines donât treat all babies the same. They split infants into three groups based on risk:- High-risk: Babies with severe eczema or egg allergy. These are the ones most likely to develop peanut allergy.
- Moderate-risk: Babies with mild to moderate eczema.
- Low-risk: Babies with no eczema or food allergies.
Why Timing Matters - And Why 6 Months Is Key
Itâs not enough to just introduce peanut. You have to do it at the right time. Studies show the sweet spot is before 6 months. A 2023 analysis combining LEAP and EAT studies found that babies who started peanut before 6 months had up to a 98% lower chance of developing an allergy - if they stuck to the plan. Babies with mild eczema saw an 85% drop. Those with moderate eczema? 87%. Even babies with severe eczema, who were at the highest risk, had a 67% reduction. The earlier they started - and the more consistently they ate it - the stronger the protection. And itâs not temporary. Follow-up studies from the original LEAP trial showed that even after a year of avoiding peanut, most kids who ate it early still didnât react. That means their bodies didnât just get used to it - they learned to accept it. Thatâs called tolerance, not just desensitization.
What About Oral Immunotherapy (OIT)?
You might hear about OIT - Oral Immunotherapy - as a way to treat peanut allergy. But hereâs the big difference: OIT is for kids who already have the allergy. Itâs not prevention. Itâs treatment. In OIT, a child eats tiny, increasing amounts of peanut under medical supervision, slowly building up their tolerance. It can reduce the chance of a severe reaction from a accidental bite. But it doesnât cure the allergy. And itâs not risk-free - some kids have reactions during treatment. Early introduction is the opposite. Itâs for babies who donât have peanut allergy yet. Itâs about teaching the immune system not to see peanut as a threat. And it works better than anything else weâve tried.What Doesnât Work - And Whatâs Misleading
A lot of things have been tried to prevent food allergies. Probiotics? Vitamin D? Avoiding peanut during pregnancy or breastfeeding? None of them show strong, reliable results. Cochrane reviews - the gold standard for medical evidence - found no proof that probiotics or vitamin D reduce peanut allergy risk. And studies on maternal diet during pregnancy show no consistent benefit. The only strategy with strong, repeated, real-world results? Early peanut introduction. And donât be fooled by myths. You donât need to wait for your baby to get teeth. You donât need to wait until theyâre 8 months old. You donât need to give them whole peanuts. You donât need to start with a tiny crumb. You need smooth peanut butter - mixed into something safe - and you need to give it regularly.Why So Many Parents Still Wait
Even with clear guidelines, many parents donât follow them. A 2022 study found only 38.7% of high-risk infants received early peanut introduction. Why? Fear is the biggest reason. Parents worry about choking. They worry about a reaction. They worry theyâll do it wrong. And honestly? Some doctors donât help. A 2023 survey found only 54% of pediatricians knew the current NIAID guidelines. The solution? Education. Clear instructions. Support. If youâre high-risk, ask your doctor for a referral to an allergist. If youâre moderate-risk, talk to your pediatrician about how to safely introduce peanut at home. There are now products made just for this - spoonable peanut butter pouches, peanut powder mixed with baby food. Theyâre easier than mixing peanut butter yourself.
Disparities Still Exist
The good news? Peanut allergy rates are dropping. FARE reports a drop from 2.2% in 2015 to 1.6% in 2023 - thatâs about 300,000 fewer children with peanut allergy in the U.S. But not everyone is benefiting equally. A 2023 study found Black and Hispanic infants were 22% less likely to get early peanut introduction than White infants. Thatâs not just a gap - itâs a health inequity. Itâs why public health efforts now focus on reaching families who need it most: community clinics, WIC programs, culturally tailored materials.Whatâs Next?
Researchers are still learning. The PRESTO trial, funded by NIAID, is testing whether giving peanut even earlier - at 3 months - works better. Other studies are looking at introducing multiple allergens at once: peanut, egg, milk, wheat. Early signs suggest it might protect against more than one allergy. The goal isnât just to prevent peanut allergy. Itâs to change how we think about food allergies altogether. We used to see them as unavoidable. Now we know: for many kids, theyâre preventable.What You Can Do Today
If you have a baby under 12 months:- Check if they have severe eczema or egg allergy. If yes - talk to your doctor now.
- If they have mild eczema - start peanut around 6 months at home.
- If they have no eczema or allergies - introduce peanut when you start solids.
- Use smooth peanut butter. Never whole peanuts, chunks, or crunchy.
- Give 2 teaspoons of peanut butter (or equivalent) three times a week.
- Keep going, even if they donât seem to like it. Consistency matters.
Peanut allergy isnât a mystery anymore. We know how to stop it. Now we just need to do it - for every child, everywhere.
Can I give my baby peanut butter straight from the jar?
No. Never give plain peanut butter to a baby under 1 year. Itâs too thick and sticky - a choking hazard. Always thin it with warm water, breast milk, or formula, or mix it into pureed fruits, vegetables, or cereal. Use smooth peanut butter only - no chunks.
Is it safe to introduce peanut at home if my baby has eczema?
If your baby has mild to moderate eczema, yes - you can introduce peanut at home around 6 months. But if they have severe eczema or an egg allergy, talk to your doctor first. They may recommend an allergy test or a supervised first feeding to make sure itâs safe.
What if my baby has a reaction the first time I give them peanut?
Mild reactions like a rash or lip swelling can happen. Stop giving peanut and contact your pediatrician. If your baby has trouble breathing, swelling of the throat, or becomes very pale or floppy - call 911 or go to the ER immediately. These are signs of anaphylaxis, a life-threatening reaction. Always have a plan before introducing peanut, especially for high-risk babies.
Do I need to keep giving peanut after the first few times?
Yes. The protection only works if your baby eats peanut regularly - at least three times a week. Skipping weeks or stopping after a few tries wonât help. Keep going until at least age 5. You can mix it into meals, snacks, or smoothies. Consistency is what builds tolerance.
Can I use peanut powder or peanut flour instead of peanut butter?
Yes. Peanut powder or peanut flour can be mixed into baby food or formula. One teaspoon of peanut powder equals about 2 grams of peanut protein - the same amount recommended in guidelines. Just make sure itâs pure peanut without added sugar or salt. Check labels carefully.
Is peanut allergy prevention only for babies in the U.S.?
No. Similar guidelines are used in Canada, Australia, the UK, and many other countries. The LEAP study results have been confirmed in multiple populations. The science is global. Whether youâre in Toronto, Sydney, or London, the same principles apply: introduce peanut early, safely, and consistently.
What if my baby doesnât like peanut? Do I still have to give it?
Yes. Taste doesnât matter. The goal isnât to make them love peanut butter - itâs to train their immune system. Mix it into foods they already like: mashed banana, sweet potato, oatmeal. Even if they spit it out, as long as they swallow it, theyâre getting the benefit. Keep trying. You only need to give 2 grams three times a week - not every meal.
Virginia Seitz
December 16, 2025 AT 14:24Just introduced peanut butter to my 6-month-old yesterday-mixed it into her banana mash. No reaction, no drama. Just peace. đâ¤ď¸
Peter Ronai
December 17, 2025 AT 16:13Oh, so now we're doing science by Instagram? The LEAP study? Please. My cousin's kid ate peanut butter at 3 months and still got anaphylaxis. One study doesn't override 30 years of pediatric wisdom. You're playing Russian roulette with your child's life.
Chris Van Horn
December 18, 2025 AT 02:16While the LEAP study is indeed a landmark in immunological epidemiology, one must not overlook the methodological limitations inherent in its cohort selection-namely, the exclusion of infants with comorbid gastrointestinal disorders and the reliance on parent-reported adherence. Moreover, the 80% reduction statistic is contingent upon strict compliance with the 2g/week protocol, which, in real-world settings, is rarely achieved. The NIAID guidelines, while well-intentioned, risk creating a false sense of security among caregivers who misunderstand the nuances of risk stratification. Furthermore, the commodification of peanut-based infant products by Big Food is a troubling commercialization of medical guidance.
Steven Lavoie
December 18, 2025 AT 05:43Chris, your point about compliance is valid-but letâs not let perfection be the enemy of progress. Even partial adherence reduces risk significantly. Iâve seen parents in my clinic who were terrified to try, then after one safe introduction, became advocates. The real tragedy isnât the occasional reaction-itâs the kids who never get the chance because their parents are paralyzed by fear. The data is clear: early, consistent exposure saves lives. We need more support, not more skepticism.
Kent Peterson
December 19, 2025 AT 22:01What about the kids who develop allergies anyway? You think this is a magic bullet? Iâve got a friend whose kid ate peanut every day since 4 months-still allergic. And now theyâre bankrupt from OIT treatments. This whole thing feels like a cult. Who approved this? The FDA? The AAP? Or some pharma-funded think tank? Iâm not letting my kid be a lab rat for some trendy âscienceâ that contradicts everything we used to know.
Josh Potter
December 21, 2025 AT 04:07Bro. I gave my son peanut butter at 5 months. He spit it out like it was broccoli. I kept going. Now heâs 2 and eats peanut butter straight from the jar. No allergy. No drama. Just a happy kid who loves snacks. Stop overthinking it. Mix it in yogurt. Done. đ
Jane Wei
December 22, 2025 AT 10:00My sister waited till 10 months because she was scared. Kidâs allergic now. I wish someone had told her sooner. Donât wait. Just do it safely.
Nishant Desae
December 24, 2025 AT 07:25As a father of two in India, I want to say this: the science here is universal. In our village, weâve always introduced ground peanut in porridge around 6 months-no one thought twice. But now, with urban parents overthinking everything, we see more allergies creeping in. The key is consistency, not perfection. Mix it with rice or lentils. Use a pinch of powder. Even if they donât like the taste, theyâre building immunity. Iâve seen it. My neighborâs child, who had eczema, started at 5 months, now eats peanuts like candy. No allergy. No hospital visits. Just good, simple parenting. Letâs stop making this complicated. The body knows what to do if we just give it the chance.
Michael Whitaker
December 25, 2025 AT 08:10Interesting. So youâre telling me that a 2015 study, which was conducted in the UK with a specific cohort, should override centuries of cultural dietary practices across diverse populations? And yet, you ignore the fact that in many traditional societies, peanuts were introduced only after weaning, and peanut allergies were virtually nonexistent. Coincidence? Or is modern hygiene, processed food, and the erosion of gut microbiota the real culprit? Youâre treating a symptom, not the cause. And youâre selling fear as prevention.