It turns out that introducing babies to peanuts early on might actually help prevent peanut allergies later in life. This might sound a bit surprising, especially since the old advice was to avoid peanuts altogether during infancy. But recent research shows that letting babies try small amounts of peanut-containing foods can train their immune systems to see peanuts as friends, not foes.
Experts now recommend introducing peanuts to babies as early as 4 to 6 months old—especially if they’re at high risk for allergies (like having eczema or a family history of allergies). This doesn’t mean handing them a spoonful of peanut butter straight away! It’s more like mixing a little peanut powder or peanut butter into their purees in a safe, manageable way.
The idea is kind of like showing your immune system the peanut party early, so it knows not to freak out later. Instead of seeing peanuts as dangerous intruders, the body gets used to them as just another snack. So, a little peanut early on might mean a lot fewer worries down the road—plus, who doesn’t love a snack that comes with health perks?
Comments