Introducing your baby to new foods sounds fun – in theory. But when the time comes actually do it, it can be kind of scary – especially if you introduce a potential allergen, such as nuts and peanuts.
I took. And there is no layer of sugar: you will be nervous the first time. (And probably the second, third, and fourth time.)
But here’s some good news: Early introduction of allergenic foods (such as nuts) can help protect the little one from allergies. So, it is best to introduce them shortly after you start feeding your baby solid foods, around 4 to 6 months.
Parents in the United States and other Western countries were waiting to introduce peanuts and nuts, such as cashews, almonds, and walnuts.
Then, a 2016 study found that in Israel, a country where infants were frequently fed peanuts very early, peanut allergies were rare: The prevalence was only 0.17%, compared to 1.4% in the United States, and 1.7% in the United Kingdom.
These findings have been confirmed by several innovative clinical trials, in particular the LEAP study. It has been found that the introduction of peanut-containing foods in infants between the ages of 4 and 11 months has reduced the chances of developing an allergy by over 80% – that’s huge!
This is due to the fact that the baby’s immune system develops during this time.
“As the immune system develops, we want to intentionally introduce highly allergenic foods and continue to expose the immune system. [them] so that the immune system is trained to recognize [them] as “friendly” and not a threat, “explains Dr. Yan Yan, a certified pediatrician and allergist at Columbia Allergy.
If this does not happen, your baby’s immune system may later perceive the nuts as dangerous and exaggerated, resulting in an allergic reaction.
Therefore, the American Academy of Pediatrics (PAA),
Short answer: Unless your baby has a history of eczema or food allergies, he may try nuts shortly after the solid begins – another 4 to 6 months.
Make sure that once you start (and don’t have a reaction), you will continue.
“Studies suggest that sustained exposure is as important as early introduction,” says Dr. Jessica Hochman, FAAP, a certified pediatrician and member of the Scientific Advisory Board for Ready, Set, Food. “Parents need to keep introducing allergens many times a week for a few months.”
There are a lot of options. You can try to give your baby peanut puffs (for example, “Bamba” fluff) that look like a kind of peanut cheetah and dissolve easily when your baby sucks them. They can also be dissolved in other baby foods, including breast milk.
You can use walnut powders and sprinkle them on your baby’s food or bake with walnut flour.
Walnut butter (such as peanut butter or almond butter) is also great, but it’s important to introduce it safely. Because nut butters can be very thick and sticky, large globules could be choking hazards.
“Spread them thinly on a soft cracker or banana strip, mix them into oatmeal, add them to yogurt or thin them with a little water and offer small amounts in a spoon,” says Megan McNamee , a registered pediatrician, nutritionist, dietitian and co-owner of Feeding Littles.
Either way, make sure you start with a small amount (about 1/4 teaspoon or less) until you know how your baby will react.
Always buy plain butter without pieces of nuts. And look for fats and products with as few ingredients as possible.
“Fewer ingredients can make it easier to determine what a child has reacted to if an allergic reaction occurs after eating nut butter,” says Yan.
Fewer ingredients also mean that you can avoid added sugars, which are generally recommended to avoid for the first 2 years of your child’s life.
You may also want to look for lower sodium fats, as your baby should not receive more than 0.4 grams of sodium daily before he is 12 months old.
“Whole hazelnuts and walnuts are a choking hazard for children under the age of 4, because if they are not chewed well and inhaled into the lungs, they can block their airways,” said Dr. Florencia Segura, FAAP, a pediatrician certified by at Einstein Pediatrics.
The children died by suffocating with whole nuts, she added, as the pieces blocked the entire airway.
In fact, that’s why the new guidelines of several allergic management organizations recommend not giving whole nuts to children before their fifth birthday.
In general, “nuts are a good source of fat, which is important for growth and development,” says McNamee. “They are tasty foods that help us feel satisfied when we eat them.”
This is partly due to the fact that they are also good sources of protein and fiber.
“Walnuts specifically contain more omega-3 fatty acids, which are important for brain and eye development,” adds McNamee.
Cashew is also a good source of omega fats, as well as copper (which is essential for iron absorption), magnesium and amino acids that fuel cell growth.
Meanwhile, almonds are an excellent source of fiber, herbal proteins and monounsaturated fats (the same type of heart-healthy fats found in other superfoods, such as avocados and olive oil). They are also rich in other vitamins and minerals, including:
- calcium
- iron
- folate (which is excellent for metabolism)
- vitamin E.
- zinc (a powerful antioxidant)
And what about hazelnuts?
“Technically, peanuts are a legume, but nutritionally they are considered nuts,” says McNamee.
This is because they are an amazing source of fats, iron, protein and micronutrients such as copper, zinc and vitamins E and B. These nutritional benefits can protect a child’s heart, support their metabolism and help the brain develop.
Walnuts are quite easy to mix in baby food. Here are some easy ideas and recipes:
- Steam the apples and nuts, then puree them together in a food processor with a cinnamon stain.
- Mix cashew butter with oatmeal for babies.
- Spray the almonds in a food processor, then soak a banana in ground almonds.
- Puree or cooked pumpkin puree, then mix a little peanut butter.
- Make a smoothie with some fruit (for example, bananas), breast milk or formula and a little nut butter.
- Use walnut flour to bake baby-friendly delicacies, such as almond flour biscuits.
Most often, your baby will develop an allergic reaction within minutes to hours after eating nuts.
Symptoms to look for include:
- redness of the skin or itching rashes
- hives (red spots that look like mosquito bites)
- vomiting
- breathing problems
- swelling of the lips and tongue
- sneezing or stuffy nose
- difficulty breathing
- coughing or wheezing
- diarrhea
- pale skin
- loss of consciousness
- anaphylaxis (requiring immediate medical treatment as it may be life threatening)
If you notice a mild reaction, call your pediatrician. If your baby develops a severe reaction, call 911 or local emergency services.
To be safe, Yan says she tells parents to have a nonsedating antihistamine on hand for children, such as Children’s Zyrtec.
In addition, he says: “Whenever you intend to introduce your child to a highly allergenic food for the first time, we recommend that you choose an hour and a day that allows you to carefully monitor your child for up to 6 hours. signs and symptoms of an allergic reaction. “
Putting your baby in the nuts – or any potential allergen – is scary. It is normal to feel restless.
Remember: early and consistent introduction will help protect your child from severe allergies. Even fewer allergies means less stress later.