Did you know that in the last two decades, food allergies have increased by 50% and nut allergies have tripled? While these figures are certainly alarming, there’s actually some good news. Thanks to the groundbreaking LEAP Study, we now know that most peanut allergies can be prevented by including peanut foods in babies’ diets during their first year of life.

Based on the results of the LEAP Study, new pediatric feeding guidelines encourage parents to introduce baby-friendly peanut butter snacks in infancy, depending on each child’s risk factors, to reduce the risk of a peanut allergy developing.

The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases created detailed guidelines for the home feeding of peanut butter for infants who are at low risk of an allergic reaction. This guide is worth printing and posting on your fridge as it includes lots of vital information, including the signs of a potentially dangerous reaction. 

If you’re wondering how to introduce peanut butter to babies, you’ll find the following suggestions from the experts:

1. Thin Peanut Butter with Warm Water

Even the creamiest peanut butter is a choking hazard for infants and toddlers, so it should never be given to babies as is; however, it can be mixed with warm water until it reaches a safer consistency that’s much easier for little ones to swallow. 

2. Blend Peanut Butter into Fruit or Vegetable Puree 

Fruit and vegetable purees are already the ideal consistency for babies to enjoy safely, and they can be supplemented with peanut butter. Much like thinning peanut butter with water, you want to ensure the mixture does not have any clumps before you give it to your son or daughter. You can mix it thoroughly using a blender or food processor. 

3. Add Peanut Flour or Peanut Butter Powder to Fruit or Vegetable Puree 

Some parents find it easier to mix puree with peanut flour or peanut butter powder as opposed to actual peanut butter. This can generally be done with a spoon and good stirring. Thankfully, both peanut flour and peanut butter powder yield the same benefits as straight peanut butter when it comes to preventing an allergy from developing.

4. Soften Peanut Puffs with Water 

Peanut butter snacks like the proactive peanut puffs from Mission MightyMe are designed specifically for babies. For infants younger than 7 months, peanut butter puffs can be softened even more (they are quick-dissolve already!) with breastmilk or water. Older babies can typically enjoy puffs right out of the package - they’re made to dissolve quickly to eliminate any choking hazards.

Order Peanut and Nut Butter Puffs for Your Little One Today!

Mission MightyMe’s Proactive Nut Butter Puffs are arguably the easiest way to introduce peanuts–and almonds, cashews, hazelnuts, and walnuts!–into your baby’s diet. Made of organic and all-natural ingredients sourced in the U.S., this baby-friendly puff dissolves quickly on the tongue. They’re also available in a peanut-only option.

You can place an order here!