What Is the Best Peanut Butter for Babies & When Can They Eat It?
January 2023
Author:
CPT. Kim Whitbeck, MS, RD
Coauthors:
Hyemyung Kim, RD, CDN, CNSC, CLC
About Kids Eat in Color
Created by experts, Kids Eat in Color is the leading resource for families seeking evidence-based information and strategies on child nutrition and feeding.
Author:
CPT. Kim Whitbeck, MS, RD
Coauthors:
Hyemyung Kim, RD, CDN, CNSC, CLC
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Inside: Can you give peanut butter to babies? At what age can you introduce it? Get the answers to these questions about serving peanut butter to babies (and more!) from our nutrition expert.
As you begin to feed your child their first foods, you might considering serving vegetables first. But soon, you’ll start to wonder about introducing other foods like peanut butter. Can babies even eat peanut butter?
The good news is that babies can eat peanut butter, and it’s loaded with health benefits for them. But, as you might have known, peanuts are a common food allergen. And, since peanut butter can be thick and crunchy, careful consideration should be taken when introducing peanut butter to infants.
Keep reading to learn all about serving peanut butter to babies, including what kind is best and ways to serve it.
What are the benefits of peanut butter for babies?
Introducing peanut butter to babies delivers many benefits including reduced allergen risk, and serving as a good source of protein, calories and heart-healthy fats.
Research supports that infants introduced to peanut butter between 4 and 11 months were less likely to develop an allergy when compared to infants who were not introduced to peanut butter. (1,2,3)
Consult your child’s qualified healthcare provider before feeding your baby peanut butter or peanut-containing foods.
At what age can you introduce peanut butter?
When to introduce peanut butter to your baby will vary depending on their allergy risk.
If your child has eczema or has had an allergic reaction to egg, they are considered high risk for a peanut allergy. (3,4)
Studies have shown that early introduction (between 4-11 months) may help reduce infants’ chance of developing a peanut food allergy. We suggest speaking to your pediatrician to discuss allergen testing and whether or not your child should be under medical supervision when peanut butter is introduced. (3,4)
If your child is not high risk, it is recommended to introduce peanut butter after your baby has begun eating a few non-allergenic solid foods. (3) The American Academy of Pediatrics and World Health Organization recommend starting solids around 6 months of age when babies show signs of readiness. (5,6)
When serving babies, choose a smooth, natural peanut butter without added sugars.
As the guidelines recommend, children under 2 do not need added sugars. Regularly serving foods with added sugars may increase your child’s preference for sweeter foods, and may make them less flexible to try the food without sugar. (8)
Is peanut butter a choking hazard for babies?
Peanut butter is a choking hazard for babies if not served properly (see below). Thick globs of peanut butter can get stuck in their airway, making it hard for them to breathe. (7)
When introducing your infant to peanut butter for the first time, stick to smooth peanut butter. Chunky peanut butter is a choking hazard because of the pieces of whole peanuts.
Mix 1-2 teaspoons of smooth peanut butter with 2-3 teaspoons of water, formula or breast milk.
Another option is to stir 1-2 teaspoons of smooth peanut butter into 2-3 tablespoons of fruit or vegetable puree (one they have already tried).
Give your child a small amount of the peanut butter mixture (tip of a spoon) and then wait 15-20 minutes to observe for signs of an allergic reaction. If they do not have a reaction, you may continue to give your child the rest of the serving.
It is important that your child is closely supervised for about 2 hours after giving the peanut butter to watch for any reactions.
Can you give powdered peanut butter to babies?
Yes, you may give powdered peanut or peanut flour to babies.
To serve, mix 1-2 teaspoons of peanut powder or flour with 2-3 teaspoons of water, formula or breast milk before serving. You may also choose to mix the powder into fruit or vegetable purees.
How can you tell if your baby is having an allergic reaction to peanut butter?
An allergic reaction to peanut butter in infants may appear as mild or severe symptoms. (9)
Mild symptoms
New rashes anywhere on the body
Hives surrounding the mouth or face
If your child experiences mild symptoms, call your child’s doctor or seek medical care. (4)
Severe symptoms
Vomiting
Stomach pain
Pale or blue skin color
Hives all over the body
Swelling of the face, tongue or lips
Sudden tiredness or appearing limp
Tightness, itching or swelling of the throat
Severe itching, redness or swelling of the skin
Nausea and vomiting, diarrhea or abdominal cramps
Coughing, wheezing, chest pain, chest tightness or difficulty breathing
Irregular heartbeats or a weak pulse
Stuffy or runny nose and/or sneezing
Dizziness or confusion
Fainting or shock
A severe allergic reaction may indicate that your child is experiencing anaphylaxis, a health emergency requiring immediate medical attention. (10)
If these symptoms occur and you do not have an EpiPen (epinephrine), call 911 or take your child to the nearest emergency room.
Peanut butter alternatives
If you are looking for an alternative, you may want to try the following products:
Sunflower butter
Soy butter
Almond butter*
Cashew butter*
*If your child is allergic to peanuts, they may also have an allergy to tree nuts. Ask your pediatrician if your child should be tested for a tree nut allergy before trying these alternatives.
Note that you should stir the alternative with water, formula, breast milk or purees, as recommended for peanut butter products. Also, look for alternatives with no added sugar.
Created by experts, Kids Eat in Color is the leading resource for families seeking evidence-based information and strategies on child nutrition and feeding.
Kim Whitbeck is a Registered Dietitian for the U.S. Army. She has a Master of Science in Exercise Science from Liberty University and a Bachelor's Degree in Dietetics from University of Delaware. Before joining the Army, she worked at WIC as a nutrition professional, as a diet tech at a nursing facility, and worked as a personal trainer during her time in undergrad. She aspires to work in nutrition policy and research related to community nutrition.
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Inside: Can you give peanut butter to babies? At what age can you introduce it? Get the answers to these questions about serving peanut butter to babies (and more!) from our nutrition expert.
As you begin to feed your child their first foods, you might considering serving vegetables first. But soon, you’ll start to wonder about introducing other foods like peanut butter. Can babies even eat peanut butter?
The good news is that babies can eat peanut butter, and it’s loaded with health benefits for them. But, as you might have known, peanuts are a common food allergen. And, since peanut butter can be thick and crunchy, careful consideration should be taken when introducing peanut butter to infants.
Keep reading to learn all about serving peanut butter to babies, including what kind is best and ways to serve it.
Article contents:
What are the benefits of peanut butter?
At what age can babies eat peanut butter?
What kind of peanut butter is best for babies?
Is peanut butter a choking hazard?
How do you serve peanut butter safely?
Can babies eat powdered peanut butter?
How can you tell if your child is having an allergic reaction?
Peanut butter alternatives for babies
What are the benefits of peanut butter for babies?
Introducing peanut butter to babies delivers many benefits including reduced allergen risk, and serving as a good source of protein, calories and heart-healthy fats.
Research supports that infants introduced to peanut butter between 4 and 11 months were less likely to develop an allergy when compared to infants who were not introduced to peanut butter. (1,2,3)
Consult your child’s qualified healthcare provider before feeding your baby peanut butter or peanut-containing foods.
At what age can you introduce peanut butter?
When to introduce peanut butter to your baby will vary depending on their allergy risk.
If your child has eczema or has had an allergic reaction to egg, they are considered high risk for a peanut allergy. (3,4)
Studies have shown that early introduction (between 4-11 months) may help reduce infants’ chance of developing a peanut food allergy. We suggest speaking to your pediatrician to discuss allergen testing and whether or not your child should be under medical supervision when peanut butter is introduced. (3,4)
If your child is not high risk, it is recommended to introduce peanut butter after your baby has begun eating a few non-allergenic solid foods. (3) The American Academy of Pediatrics and World Health Organization recommend starting solids around 6 months of age when babies show signs of readiness. (5,6)
Related: Should You Introduce Food Allergens Early?
What kind of peanut butter is best for babies?
When serving babies, choose a smooth, natural peanut butter without added sugars.
As the guidelines recommend, children under 2 do not need added sugars. Regularly serving foods with added sugars may increase your child’s preference for sweeter foods, and may make them less flexible to try the food without sugar. (8)
Is peanut butter a choking hazard for babies?
Peanut butter is a choking hazard for babies if not served properly (see below). Thick globs of peanut butter can get stuck in their airway, making it hard for them to breathe. (7)
Related: Top Choking Hazards for Babies
How to serve peanut butter safely
When introducing your infant to peanut butter for the first time, stick to smooth peanut butter. Chunky peanut butter is a choking hazard because of the pieces of whole peanuts.
It is important that your child is closely supervised for about 2 hours after giving the peanut butter to watch for any reactions.
Can you give powdered peanut butter to babies?
Yes, you may give powdered peanut or peanut flour to babies.
To serve, mix 1-2 teaspoons of peanut powder or flour with 2-3 teaspoons of water, formula or breast milk before serving. You may also choose to mix the powder into fruit or vegetable purees.
How can you tell if your baby is having an allergic reaction to peanut butter?
An allergic reaction to peanut butter in infants may appear as mild or severe symptoms. (9)
Mild symptoms
If your child experiences mild symptoms, call your child’s doctor or seek medical care. (4)
Severe symptoms
A severe allergic reaction may indicate that your child is experiencing anaphylaxis, a health emergency requiring immediate medical attention. (10)
If these symptoms occur and you do not have an EpiPen (epinephrine), call 911 or take your child to the nearest emergency room.
Peanut butter alternatives
If you are looking for an alternative, you may want to try the following products:
*If your child is allergic to peanuts, they may also have an allergy to tree nuts. Ask your pediatrician if your child should be tested for a tree nut allergy before trying these alternatives.
Note that you should stir the alternative with water, formula, breast milk or purees, as recommended for peanut butter products. Also, look for alternatives with no added sugar.
References
1. https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/nejmoa1414850
2. https://publications.aap.org/pediatrics/article/143/4/e20190281/37226/The-Effects-of-Early-Nutritional-Interventions-on
3. https://www.healthychildren.org/English/tips-tools/ask-the-pediatrician/Pages/When-can-I-start-giving-my-baby-peanut-butter.aspx
4. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/peanut-allergy/symptoms-causes/syc-20376175
5. https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/baby/feeding-nutrition/Pages/Starting-Solid-Foods.aspx
6. https://www.who.int/health-topics/complementary-feeding#tab=tab_1
7. https://www.cdc.gov/nutrition/infantandtoddlernutrition/foods-and-drinks/choking-hazards.html
8. https://www.dietaryguidelines.gov/sites/default/files/2020-12/Dietary_Guidelines_for_Americans_2020-2025.pdf
9. https://www.chop.edu/news/health-tip/truth-about-peanut-allergies-kids
10. https://www.chop.edu/conditions-diseases/anaphylaxis