In a dramatic shift from previous medical advice, the National Health Service has issued groundbreaking guidance that could significantly reduce peanut allergy rates among British children. The new recommendations encourage parents to introduce peanut products to infants as young as four months old, marking a complete reversal of decades-old allergy prevention strategies.
The Science Behind the Shift
This revolutionary approach stems from landmark research demonstrating that early exposure to peanut proteins helps build tolerance rather than triggering allergic reactions. Professor Gideon Lack's pioneering LEAP study provided compelling evidence that introducing peanuts early can prevent up to 80% of peanut allergies in high-risk children.
Drinking peanut butter mixed with breast milk or formula and incorporating smooth peanut butter into purees are among the safe methods recommended for initial introduction. The guidance emphasises that whole peanuts or chunks should never be given to young children due to choking hazards.
Who Should Follow This Advice?
The NHS outlines specific recommendations based on risk categories:
- High-risk infants (with severe eczema or existing egg allergy): Introduce peanut products from around 4 months under medical supervision
- Moderate-risk children (with mild to moderate eczema): Begin around 6 months at home
- Low-risk children: Introduce peanut-containing foods freely alongside other solids
A Turning Point in Allergy Prevention
This represents a complete paradigm shift from the previous 'avoidance' approach that dominated paediatric advice for generations. Many experts now believe that delayed introduction may have inadvertently contributed to the dramatic rise in peanut allergies witnessed in recent decades.
Professor Lack emphasises the importance of this change: "We've moved from telling parents to avoid peanuts to actively encouraging early introduction. This could prevent thousands of children from developing life-threatening allergies."
Parents of children with existing allergies or severe eczema should consult their GP or allergy specialist before introducing peanut products to ensure safe implementation of these new guidelines.
