How to Give Peanuts to Your Baby to Prevent Peanut Allergy?
Introduction
The traditional idea of eliminating allergenic foods from babies' diets has taken a turn in recent years. Research shows that introducing peanuts to babies early can actually help prevent peanut allergies later in life
Peanut allergy: background and new perspective
It was once thought that avoiding allergenic foods, such as peanuts, would protect babies from allergies. However, recent studies have shown that introducing peanuts early can actually help reduce the risk of developing a peanut allergy. These findings have led to a new perspective on introducing peanuts to babies.
Step-by-step introduction of peanuts
Introducing peanuts to babies requires careful planning and follow-through. Follow these steps to ensure a safe and effective introduction:
- Take our Vini Mini test
- Consult a pediatrician: Talk to your pediatrician before introducing peanuts, especially if there are allergies in the family.
- Start with the right products for your Mini (in 3 or 6 steps) according to the test result. Follow the tips below
- Get your baby used to fruit and vegetable purees first. Start by offering mashed fruit and vegetables at 4 months. It is recommended to start with vegetables and give one type at a time. Suitable vegetables include cauliflower, peas, beans, broccoli, carrots or pumpkin. If you want to try fruit, start with banana, peach, pear or melon. If this goes well, you can try other types of fruit and vegetables.
- Make sure you start in the morning on a weekday. If there is a reaction, you can always call your GP.
- Make sure your baby is not sick when you start.
- Stir the peanut flour through the snack. If necessary, finely chop it with the blender or hand blender.
- Repeat and be consistent: If there is no response after the initial introduction, continue offering small amounts of peanuts frequently to encourage tolerance. You can use our My First Peanut Follow-up Kit or My First Peanut Flips for this.
3 Different Routes for Giving Peanuts
After taking the test, there are 3 possible test results for giving peanuts to your baby:
- Home - in 3 steps
- Home - in 6 steps
- Consult with doctor
Which route & schedule do you choose to give peanuts to your baby?
To determine which route is most appropriate for your baby, we have created a decision tree in collaboration with the pediatric allergist from the Food Allergy Prevention Task Force.
Answered the following four questions and see which peanut feeding route best suits your Mini.
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How old is your baby?
Research has shown that introducing allergens before the age of 8 months is the critical limit. -
Does your baby have eczema?
Babies with moderate to severe eczema have an 8- to 24-fold increased risk of developing a food allergy. -
Has your baby had any previous reactions to food?
If your baby has already had a acute If you have had a reaction to another food, the risk of a reaction to another allergen is also higher.
Acute reaction here refers to an IgE-mediated reaction, in which a reaction of the immune system takes place. The symptoms occur immediately after eating (between 1 minute and 2 hours) and usually consist of skin reactions (particularly hives/nettle rash or swelling in the face), acute vomiting, red watery eyes and runny nose and wheezing when inhaling or exhaling. Pimples that occur the next day or abdominal pain 4 hours after eating are therefore not signs of an IgE-mediated allergy. -
Is there any fear of introduction or are there any allergies in the family?
There may be fear among parents due to allergies or reactions in the family.
1. Giving peanuts at home in 3 steps
If your baby is between 4 and 8 months old and there are no risk factors such as eczema or previous reactions to food, you can give peanuts at home in 3 steps. For this, use the my first peanut in 3 steps .
You then add increasing amounts of peanuts to the baby food in 3 steps over a period of 3 days.
2. Home - giving peanuts in 6 steps
If your baby is younger than 6 months, but your baby has moderate to severe eczema; or your baby is younger than 8 months and does not have eczema, but there is a fear of introduction; then you can give peanuts at home using a modified 6-step schedule.
You then add increasing amounts of peanut to the baby food for 2 days; in 6 steps. Use my first peanut in 6 steps for this.
3. Consult with your doctor about how to give peanuts to your baby
If your baby is older than 8 months; has severe to moderate eczema or has had a previous reaction to another food, discuss the best route with the doctor .
Benefits Vini Mini my first peanut
Some parents ask why they can't just give peanut butter instead of Vini Mini. We want to offer you the safe, healthy & easy way to give peanuts to your Mini for the first time. Here are a few advantages.
Easy, Healthy and Safe:
With my first peanut products, you don’t have to worry about complicated preparations. Our peanut powder is ready to use, meaning you don’t have to waste time measuring, mixing or preparing. Plus, our peanut powder is specially designed for babies and offers a safe way to introduce allergens.
Twice as high in protein:
Did you know that my first peanut Starter Kit & Follow-up Kit contains twice as much protein as peanut butter? This means that with half the dosage of our peanut powder you can offer the same amount of protein to your little one. Protein is something you can be allergic to and therefore essential to prevent peanut allergy.
No salt and sugar:
Unlike some commercial peanut butters, Vini Mini peanut powder contains no added salt or sugar. With Vini Mini you know exactly what you are giving your Mini - it is suitable for babies and contains no unnecessary additives.
Measured and ready to use:
With Vini Mini, you don’t have to worry about guessing the right portion size. Our peanut powder comes pre-measured (in capsules or sachets or with a measuring spoon), meaning you can always give your baby the perfect amount. No fuss, no fear and no waste.
More pleasant texture for your baby:
Some babies don't like the greasy texture of peanut butter. We've heard from several customers that their baby doesn't like peanut butter but can eat our powders.
Conclusion
Introducing peanuts early to babies as a preventative measure against food allergies has changed the traditional approach. Research shows that it can be safe and effective, but it is important to plan the introduction carefully and follow safety guidelines. Always consult a pediatrician before starting and be alert for allergic reactions.
Curious which route suits your Mini best? Take the Vini Mini test now!