The American Academy of Pediatrics recently released a report encouraging early introduction of peanut based foods to prevent allergies.
There is a growing body of research that indicates early introduction of peanut-based foods to infants as early as 6 months (after other solid foods are tolerated) can prevent peanut allergies.
“There is no reason to delay giving your baby foods that are thought of as allergens like peanut products, eggs or fish,” said Dr. Scott Sicherer, MD, FAAP, a coauthor of the report. “These foods can be added to the diet early, just like foods that are not common allergens, like rice, fruits or vegetables.”
For high risk infants who have severe eczema or egg allergies, it is wise to test for peanut allergy and peanut introduction under a pediatrician’s supervision. But this does not mean a parent should avoid introducing peanuts; rather, these high risk infants can have peanuts introduced under supervision as early as 4-6 months.
Keep in mind that for children under 4 years old, whole peanuts can be a choking hazard, and ground peanuts or other forms of peanuts are advised.
The study also addresses that evidence does not support restricting a mother’s diet during pregnancy or breastfeeding as a method to prevent allergies.
Highlights of the study can be found here: https://www.healthychildren.org/English/news/Pages/Early-Introduction-of-Peanut-based-Foods-to-Prevent-Allergies.aspx
Full study can be found here: https://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/143/4/e20190281