In a significant shift from previous advice, leading UK health experts are now urging parents to introduce peanut-based foods to their babies from as early as six months old. This revolutionary guidance, backed by the NHS and leading allergy charities, aims to combat the rising tide of peanut allergies in children.
The new recommendations, detailed in the British Medical Journal (BMJ), are based on a comprehensive analysis of the latest scientific evidence. They represent a complete U-turn from the caution that defined previous decades, where parents were often advised to avoid peanuts until children were much older.
Why the Sudden Change in Advice?
The dramatic policy shift is driven by a landmark study known as the LEAP (Learning Early About Peanut Allergy) trial. This research provided compelling evidence that early introduction is the key to building tolerance, not triggering a reaction.
"What we now know is that for most children, the risk is not in introducing peanut products early, but in delaying their introduction," explained a spokesperson for the NHS. The body's immune system is most receptive to learning what is safe during infancy.
How to Safely Introduce Peanuts to Your Baby
The guidance is clear that whole nuts should never be given to young children due to the risk of choking. Instead, parents are advised to use safe, age-appropriate forms like:
- Smooth peanut butter: A small amount mixed into porridge, yogurt, or pureed fruit.
- Peanut puffs: Specially designed peanut-based snacks that dissolve easily.
- Ground peanuts: Finely ground nuts stirred into other foods.
For infants with severe eczema or an existing egg allergy—who are at a higher risk—the NHS strongly recommends consulting a GP or allergy specialist before introduction. They may advise the first taste be done under medical supervision.
A Nationwide Impact on Children's Health
Peanut allergies have more than doubled in recent decades, becoming a major public health concern. This proactive strategy promises to reduce the number of children who have to live with the constant fear of a potentially fatal allergic reaction, improving their quality of life and reducing anxiety for families.
By embracing this new approach, the UK is taking a major step towards preventing a generation of children from developing this common and dangerous allergy.
