Let’s Clear This Up: What “Often” Really Means When It Comes to Consistent Peanut Exposure

If you’ve already introduced peanut and other food allergens successfully to your baby … great job! 🎉 That first step matters. Your decision to get proactive and follow the science of food allergy prevention may *seem* small, but actually does something so big for your little one.

Then comes the next (and very common) question parents ask:
“What exactly does ‘often’ mean, and what consistency is recommended to keep a peanut allergy from developing? Am I even doing this right!?”

First, let’s back up a second to understand why following the guidelines is worth it: a new study shows that peanut allergies have dropped 43% since recommendations changed to recommend “early and often” back in 2017. TL;DR: Early introduction *is* really working in real life across the broader population (not just high-risk kiddos!) – our collective efforts are making a tangible impact. 

But it can still feel hard to find the balance between doing what feels like too much and not enough when it comes to the peanut problem. Hearing guidance like “keep peanut foods in the diet regularly” or “offer it often” can feel frustratingly vague, especially when you’re juggling busy days, picky phases, and real-life packed schedules. Let’s break down what “often” really means, why consistency matters, and how to make this a realistic routine for families. 

Why Consistency Matters After First Introduction

Mission MightyMe co-founder Dr. Gideon Lack’s LEAP Study proved that early peanut introduction can prevent most peanut allergies and have lasting protective benefits, especially when peanut foods are introduced in the magic four to six months window. But it’s not a simple “one-and-done” scenario of introducing peanut foods: the continued peanut exposure is what actually helps support ongoing tolerance and keeps those chronic and burdensome peanut allergies at bay. This is probably the biggest part of the peanut allergy prevention equation that needs continued awareness among families!

Regularly eating peanut foods after it’s introduced helps the immune system stay familiar with it. Here’s an example: when learning a new language, hearing it once isn’t enough – repeated exposure reinforces recognition over time. Similarly, doing an exercise once doesn’t change your body, but repeating it regularly teaches your muscles what to do. Food allergy prevention is all about the muscle memory of your little one’s immune system – it’s setting their “default setting” for life.

And when peanut (or other common allergens) drop out of the diet for long stretches, the immune system may lose that familiarity. That’s why leading health organization guidelines, pediatricians and allergists emphasize ongoing inclusion – not just a one-time taste.

So… What Does “Often” Actually Mean? And how much are we talking? 

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends 6g of peanut protein weekly for infants at high risk of developing a peanut allergy – that equals about 23 peanuts or 2 tbsp peanut butter weekly. The guidance is not as clear for low-risk kiddos, but studies such as the EAT Study suggest 2 grams of the allergenic protein is likely sufficient. Remember: peanuts and thick nut butters can be choking hazards, and we know all that measuring and counting can feel like a lot. That’s why one pouch of quick-dissolve, nutritious Mission MightyMe Peanut Butter Nutty Puffs a week is equal to 7g of peanut protein per pouch (our co-founder led the groundbreaking research that changed everything – so of course our products are formulated to match the science!).

Here’s the simple answer most families are relieved to hear: “often” generally means about 2–3 times per week. It doesn’t have to be daily (unless your kiddo just can’t get enough!), not with every meal and not obsessively tracked. Just consistent, repeated exposure over time! When babies and toddlers find a peanut snack they love, this becomes an easy addition to your family’s routine. 

Some families offer peanut-containing foods more frequently, and that’s fine! Others land closer to twice a week. What matters most is that these staple foods stay a regular part of the diet rather than something that appears once a month, or disappears entirely after the initial introduction. Dr. Lack’s LEAP Study showed that keeping peanuts in the diet regularly until at least age five is important. 

Does It Have to Be the Same Amount Every Time?

No—this is another big source of confusion. You don’t need a precise dose at every serving, and peanut exposure doesn’t need to be medicalized or stressful. Small, age-appropriate amounts are perfectly okay, especially for toddlers whose appetites change daily. What matters more than quantity is pattern – make sure peanut foods appear regularly, in forms your child can safely eat and without long gaps. (Note that this approach likely applies to other allergens as well!)

If one week is lighter than another, that’s normal! Like most things in parenting, progress over time beats perfection every time.

What If We Miss a Week?

Life happens! Illness, travel, food strikes and changing tastes are totally normal. Missing an occasional week isn’t a failure, and it doesn’t undo everything you’ve done for your little one’s mighty future. Just aim to get back into the rhythm as soon as you can. Think of consistency as a long-term habit, not like a streak you’re afraid to break.   

Making Consistency Feel Doable, Not Overwhelming

This is where families often get stuck: they want to be consistent, but they don’t want peanut exposure to become another mental load or item on the lengthy to-do list. A few realistic strategies:

• Incorporate Nutty Puffs into snack time daily! With nut protein and more nutritional value than traditional rice or corn puffs (they’re more than 50% nuts + superfood sorghum), it’s an easy upgrade! 

• As your baby grows into a toddler, pair peanut foods with familiar foods your child already likes (think: peanut shavings over a noodle dish, or peanut butter and banana smoothies after school).

• Remember that mixing it up is great for diet diversity, so rotate formats so it doesn’t feel repetitive or boring. Check out our Early Allergen Introduction Guide for more inspo!

• Anchor it to routine moments (breakfast, dinner or afternoon snack)

For many parents, having an option that’s already pre-portioned and designed for little ones (melt-in-your-mouth goodness!) helps remove the guesswork.  That’s where Mission MightyMe comes in: no stress, no mess and made to fit naturally into real-life routines – so peanut exposure is safe and easy, not a special extra credit project. Plus, we give parents peace of mind with simple, organic, non-GMO ingredients and a Clean Label Project stamp of approval. Remember: if peanut foods stay in your child’s diet regularly, you’re doing exactly what experts recommend. Just keep up the good work and stick with it!

Early & often works best when it’s a routine! Subscribe and save today to take a recurring item off your to-do list – a healthy habit, nutritious snack for the whole fam and the easiest way to follow food allergy prevention guidelines  (check, check, check!). Get 15% savings on every order with no commitment, easy order modification and auto-delivery straight to your doorstep.

*For babies with an increased risk of peanut allergy (babies with severe eczema, egg allergy or both), introducing age-appropriate, peanut-containing foods as early as 4 months may reduce the risk of developing a peanut allergy. Caregivers should check with the baby’s healthcare provider before feeding the baby peanut-containing foods/

Mission MightyMe products must be avoided by anyone who has a known or suspected allergy to any of the ingredients. If you have any questions about what you’re feeding your baby, consult your pediatrician.

Please note: This blog post is for information purposes only and shouldn’t be used as personal, health, nutritional, or medical advice. Always consult your pediatrician with any questions about what to feed your child.