If the thought of introducing peanuts to your baby makes you nervous, you’re not alone. Introducing common allergens can be overwhelming and it’s hard to know where to start. We’re here to help with easy, stress-free strategies to help you introduce and regularly include peanut foods in little diets (pro tip: don’t forget to check out our Early Allergen Introduction Guide for even more insights!). 

First, let’s take a step back and talk about WHY early peanut introduction is important. The LEAP Study, led by our co-founder Dr. Gideon Lack, found that introducing peanuts to babies between 4-11 months—and keeping it in diets regularly until age 5—dramatically reduced the risk of a peanut allergy developing. 

This discovery changed feeding guidelines around the globe! Updated pediatric guidelines support introducing baby-friendly peanut foods early, and keeping them in the diet often.* That can be easier said than done for parents - both whole nuts and sticky nut butters can be choking hazards - and the baby food aisle is almost entirely allergen-free. 

So how’s a parent supposed to follow the feeding recommendations? 

First, talk to your pediatrician about whether your baby is ready to start peanut foods, and if you get the greenlight, check out some of the tips below so you can introduce peanuts with confidence – and then keep them in the snack rotation consistently – to set little ones up for a mighty future. Remember, you’ll want to start with a tiny amount for the first time and know the signs and what to do in case of an allergic reaction. (Check out our Early Allergen Introduction Guide for more info on how to introduce allergens safely). 

1. Mission MightyMe Peanut Butter Puffs 

Mission MightyMe’s Peanut Butter Puffs were designed specifically with babies in mind. Made with simple and organic ingredients, these delicious peanut butter-coated puffs dissolve quickly, making them the easiest way to introduce peanuts with no stress and no mess. The convenient puffs are designed to age up as littles become big kids, and can be softened with breast milk or water (7 months and younger), crumbled into purees, or eaten on-the-go. Other ideas to help keep it fresh for your kiddo: crumble into oatmeal, over mashed banana on toast, or roll a banana in crushed puffs. Check out our recipes section for more easy inspo! 

2. Make a Peanut Butter Smoothie

Blend two teaspoons of peanut butter with two to three teaspoons of hot water, formula, or breast milk. Check for clumps and make sure to remove them by blending more as needed, then let the mixture cool before spoon feeding your little one.

3. Mix Peanut Butter with Pureed Produce

You can blend powdered peanut butter or crumbled puffs with your baby’s favorite pureed fruit or vegetable for a filling meal. Simply whisk two teaspoons of the peanut powder into two tablespoons of the puree. Better yet, let Square Baby do it for you! Their purees have a range of nuts including peanuts and tree nuts for nutritious meals perfect for ongoing allergen exposure!

Use code MISSIONMIGHTY20 for 20% off your first order!

4. Bake Peanut Butter Teething Biscuits 

If your baby has started teething, homemade biscuits are a great way to introduce peanut butter. With simple, healthy ingredients like whole wheat flour, oats, and applesauce, this recipe from the National Peanut Board is great for gnawing for littles, and sure to be a hit among older kids, too! 

5. Roll Finger Foods in Peanut Powder

Sprinkle peanut powder (or crumbled up puffs!) on your baby’s favorite finger foods. To prevent inhaling and coughing, make sure the powder actually sticks to the snacks. Wetter foods that taste great rolled in peanut powder include mangos, melons, avocados, peaches, pears, and berries.  

Stock Your Pantry! 

After you’ve tried our Peanut Butter Puffs, check out our Nut Butter Puffs for added variety! This tasty snack makes it easy to keep peanuts, almonds, cashews, hazelnuts, and walnuts in little diets. Simply add into the daily snack rotation and get ready to hear “more puffs, please!” Start shopping today.

Remember…

• The recommended way to introduce baby-friendly peanut foods depends on whether your child is at high risk of developing a peanut allergy.
• Understand the symptoms of an allergic reaction and what to do.
• For high-risk infants, the guidelines advise 2g of peanut protein at any meal or snack, three times per week.
• Depending on your child’s risk, peanut foods should be introduced according to these guidelines after they’ve already started other solid foods.
• Whole nuts should not be given to children under 5 years of age.
• Do not give peanut butter from a spoon or in lumps/dollops to children under 4 years of age.