Introducing peanut to your baby: safe forms, timing and reactions
5 min read
Quick answer
You can start introducing peanut to your baby from around 6 months, once they are eating solids. Use smooth peanut butter mixed into food or spread thinly, or finely ground peanuts, never whole or chopped nuts. Offer a small amount as the only new allergen that day, then keep peanut in their diet.
- Peanut can be introduced from around 6 months, one new allergen at a time
- Use smooth peanut butter or finely ground peanuts, never whole nuts under 5
- Never give nut butter on its own or in thick lumps
- If your baby has eczema or a food allergy, or allergies run in the family, talk to your GP or health visitor first
- Once tolerated, keep peanut in your baby's diet regularly
When can my baby have peanut?
From around 6 months, once your baby has started solids. The NHS treats peanut like any other food from this age and says putting it off beyond 6 to 12 months may make a peanut allergy more likely.
US advice differs slightly on timing. The AAP suggests that, for most babies, peanut foods can be offered as early as 4 to 6 months once a baby is ready for solids. In the UK, the advice is to start all solids around 6 months.
You do not need to avoid peanuts while pregnant or breastfeeding unless you are allergic to them yourself.
Which forms of peanut are safe for babies?
Peanut must be smooth or finely ground. Whole and chopped peanuts are a choking risk, and the NHS says not to give whole nuts to children under 5. US advice from the AAP is to wait until at least age 4.
- Smooth peanut butter, thinned with a little breast milk, formula or water and stirred into porridge, yoghurt or fruit puree
- Smooth peanut butter spread thinly on toast fingers
- Finely ground peanuts mixed into porridge, yoghurt or mashed fruit
How to introduce peanut, step by step
Keep the first try small and simple.
- Choose a day at home and a time when you can watch your baby for at least 2 hours
- Mix a small amount of smooth peanut butter or ground peanut into a food your baby already likes
- Make peanut the only new allergen that day
- Never offer a spoonful or lump of nut butter on its own, as it can stick and cause choking
- If there is no reaction, offer it again over the next few days and slowly increase the amount
- Keep peanut as a regular part of your baby's meals from then on
Babies with eczema, a food allergy or allergies in the family
Some babies need advice before peanut is introduced. In the UK, talk to your GP or health visitor first if your baby has eczema or a diagnosed food allergy, or if food allergies, eczema, asthma or hay fever run in your family.
US guidance from the AAP and CDC singles out babies with severe, long-lasting eczema, an egg allergy, or a past immediate reaction to any food. These babies are at higher risk of peanut allergy, and their doctor will advise how and when to offer peanut.
Ask early, ideally before or as you start solids. Because waiting too long can raise the risk of allergy, the aim is a plan, not a long delay.
Signs of a peanut allergy in babies
Reactions usually appear within minutes, though they can take up to 2 hours. Watch for:
- A red, itchy or raised rash, or eczema that flares
- Swelling of the lips or face
- Red, itchy or watery eyes
- Sneezing, a runny nose, coughing or wheezing
- Being sick, tummy pain or diarrhoea
What to do if your baby reacts to peanut
If the signs are mild, stop giving peanut and contact your GP or health visitor, who can refer you for specialist advice if needed. If you cannot reach them and you are worried, call NHS 111. Do not try peanut again until you have had advice.
Sudden swelling of the lips, tongue, mouth or throat, struggling to breathe or breathing very fast, noisy or wheezy breathing, turning blue, grey or pale, or becoming floppy or unresponsive are signs of anaphylaxis. If your baby has any of them, use their adrenaline auto-injector if they have one, then call 999, or your local emergency number, straight away. Say you think it is anaphylaxis.
Sources
We check this guide against these sources. It is general information, not medical advice: speak to your health visitor, GP or paediatrician about your own baby.
Questions parents ask
Can I give my baby peanut butter on toast?
Yes, from around 6 months, as long as it is smooth peanut butter spread thinly on toast fingers. Thick layers or lumps of nut butter can stick in the mouth and throat. Never give peanut butter on its own from a spoon. You can also thin it with a little milk or water and stir it into porridge.
How much peanut should my baby have?
Start with a small amount mixed into food and build up over several days if there is no reaction. AAP guidance gives about 2 teaspoons of peanut butter as an example of a regular portion once peanut is part of the diet. After that, keep offering it routinely rather than as an occasional treat.
Can my baby have other nuts as well?
Yes. Tree nuts such as almonds and cashews can be introduced from around 6 months too, either finely ground or as smooth nut butter. Introduce each one on a separate day so you can spot a reaction. The same rule applies: no whole or chopped nuts for children under 5.
My older child has a peanut allergy. Should I avoid peanut for the baby?
Do not avoid it without advice, but talk to your GP or health visitor before you start. The NHS recommends this for any baby with a family history of allergy. They can tell you whether your baby needs a referral or can try peanut at home, and how to do it safely.
When can my child eat whole peanuts?
Not before 5 years old in the UK. Whole and chopped nuts are small, hard and easy to inhale, which makes them a serious choking risk for young children. In the US, the AAP advises waiting until at least age 4. Until then, use ground nuts or smooth nut butters in food.