🥜 Peanut butter
Allergen note
Peanut is one of the most common food allergens. Offering smooth, thinned peanut butter from around 6 months can lower the chance of developing a peanut allergy, so start with smooth, not crunchy, and keep offering it a few times a week once tolerated. If your baby has severe eczema or an egg allergy, see your pediatrician first.
How to serve
For babies, thin a little smooth peanut butter with warm water and stir it into porridge, yogurt or fruit puree, or spread it very thinly on toast strips. Crunchy peanut butter contains peanut pieces, so save it for children who chew well, generally not before age 4 to 5, and spread it thinly even then.
Preparation
Choose a peanut butter made only from peanuts, with no added salt, sugar or sweeteners, and stir the separated oil back in. For babies, use the smooth kind and loosen 1–2 teaspoons with warm water, breast milk, formula or fruit puree until runny; never offer it thick or by the spoonful straight from the jar.
Texture and choking risk
Thick, sticky peanut butter can clump in the mouth and block a small airway, and the peanut pieces in crunchy peanut butter add another choking hazard. Never offer spoonfuls or globs, spread it thinly, and keep your child seated and supervised; whole or chopped peanuts are not recommended before age 4 to 5.
Starting ages are typical guidance for healthy, full-term babies who show signs of readiness. Your paediatrician may advise differently, especially where there is a family history of allergy.
Recipes with peanut butter
Track first tastes and reactions
Log when your child first tries peanut butter, note any reaction and see it in the allergen tracker.
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