October 08, 2025

A New Way to Help Kids Avoid Peanut Allergies

As a parent, one of my biggest worries has always been food allergies. Peanut allergies in particular seem to be everywhere, and the idea of something so small causing such a big reaction is scary. For years, the advice was simple: keep peanuts far away from babies and toddlers. But new research has turned that thinking on its head, and what scientists are finding is both surprising and hopeful.

I recently read about a groundbreaking study called the LEAP trial, which followed hundreds of infants who were given peanut products starting as early as four months old. The results blew me away. By the time those children were five, the ones who had eaten peanut foods early had about an 81 percent lower chance of developing a peanut allergy compared to those who avoided them. Even more exciting, a follow-up study looked at those same children into their teenage years. It found that the early eaters continued to benefit years later, showing about a 71 percent lower risk of peanut allergy. That means those early exposures seem to train the immune system in a way that lasts.

The big takeaway is that there’s a window of opportunity in infancy when a child’s immune system is learning what’s safe and what’s not. If we can introduce peanut products during that time, usually between four and six months, we might help the body learn that peanuts are harmless. That doesn’t mean handing a baby a whole peanut, of course, choking is a real danger. Instead, pediatricians suggest starting with small amounts of peanut butter mixed into purees or peanut-containing baby snacks designed for safety.

Of course, not all babies are the same. If a child has severe eczema, an egg allergy, or a strong family history of peanut allergies, it’s important to talk to a doctor first. In those cases, allergy testing before introduction might be a good idea. For most infants, though, adding a bit of peanut to their diet early and keeping it in their routine a few times a week may make a big difference.

What’s also interesting is that peanuts aren’t the whole story. Some scientists are finding that exposing babies to a wide variety of foods, different textures, tastes, and proteins and might lower the risk of food allergies overall. It’s another reason I’m trying to embrace more variety when introducing foods to little ones. The earlier their immune system meets these foods, the more likely it is to accept them.

One thing this research makes clear is that waiting too long can reduce the benefits. If peanut introduction happens after a year or more, the protective effect is much smaller. And while early introduction isn’t a guaranteed shield and some kids will still develop allergies, it’s one of the most promising steps parents can take.

As a mom, knowing there’s something proactive I can do to help protect my child is empowering. Instead of fearing peanuts, I can work with our pediatrician to make them part of my baby’s normal diet early on. It’s a shift from avoidance to building tolerance, and it just might help prevent a lifelong allergy.

The science is still evolving, but this new approach gives me hope and maybe, one day, peanut butter sandwiches will no longer be a source of worry but just another fun part of childhood.