Are you afraid to give peanuts to your baby? Let's learn how to prevent peanut allergy!

As a mother, you too have experienced this. When your baby starts eating solid foods, you get a little scared when you try to give them a new food. You wonder, "Will this be bad for my baby? Will he be allergic?" Many parents are especially afraid to give them things like peanuts and eggs. Because we often hear about peanut allergies . But, did you know that the best way to prevent this peanut allergy is to introduce peanuts to your baby at an early age? Let's talk about this today.

The surprising story of the latest research

A very important medical study has recently come out with some very good news. It says that if a child is regularly introduced to peanuts from infancy, that is, until the age of 5, the risk of developing a peanut allergy by the time that child is about 12 years old is reduced by about 71% . This is really great!

Think about it, some children eat foods when they are young, but when they get a little older, they say, "I don't want these" and put them away. Parents may be afraid, "Oh, he won't eat peanuts now, I don't know if he'll develop an allergy again." But this new research says there's nothing to worry about. The most important thing is to introduce the body to peanuts within the first 5 years of life. It's like a vaccine given at a young age. The protection it provides lasts for a long time.

What can we learn from this research?

This research is very unique. They divided the children into two groups .

1. Group 1: Peanuts were completely avoided from infancy (4-11 months) until 5 years of age.

2. Second group: Peanuts were fed regularly and regularly from infancy until the age of 5.

Then, when these children were a little older, at the age of 12-13, they were tested again. The results were truly amazing.

This clearly shows the difference, doesn't it? How much protection there is from introducing the body to peanuts at a young age.

So how and when should I give peanuts to my baby?

This is the most important question. In the past, the opinion was that it was not good to give peanuts to young children. But now that opinion has completely changed.

The best time to start

A baby usually starts eating solid foods between 4 and 6 months of age . This is the best time to introduce foods like peanuts, which is now recommended.

Warning! Be sure to remember this.

Before you start giving your baby peanuts, be sure to talk to your family doctor or pediatrician. This is very important. Especially,

• If your baby has severe eczema .
• If the baby already has an allergy to another food (e.g. eggs ).

In such cases, peanuts may need to be introduced on medical advice, perhaps under the supervision of a doctor. So never make decisions on your own. Ask your doctor first.

How do you give peanuts?

Never give whole peanuts to small babies. They are a choking hazard. Instead,

• You can take about a teaspoon of sugar- free, smooth peanut butter and dissolve it in a little warm water, breast milk, or baby formula.
• You can mix a little peanut butter into your baby's porridge, rice, or fruit pulp.
• Start with a very small amount first, and after making sure that the baby has no discomfort, gradually increase the amount.

What are the symptoms of a peanut allergy?

When introducing a new food to your baby, especially something like peanuts, keep a close eye on your baby for the next few hours to see if they develop any signs of an allergy.

• Hives or rash on the skin.
• Swelling of the lips, tongue, or face.
• Vomiting or diarrhea.
• Difficulty breathing, wheezing.
• Constant itching or scratching.

If you notice any of these symptoms , seek medical advice immediately . Anaphylaxis is an emergency. In such cases, you should be taken to the Emergency Department (ETU) of the nearest hospital.