Need advice on my child and peanut butter?

Question

When my daughter turned 1 year old I let her have a bite of my Reese's peanut butter cup...not even thinking about the fact that it had peanut butter in it. I watched her closely for the next day or so to make sure she didnt have an allergic reaction (even though there is no history in my family of an allergy to peanuts) When I took her to the Dr. I brought the situation up and she said as long as she was ok and there was no family history of allergies I could go ahead and give her peanut butter. She is now 21 months old and since then she has been eating a half a piece of toast with peanut butter on it for breakfast every morning.

Now, this is where I need the advice. I just moved to be closer to my mom which meant I had to change doctors. When I took her to the dr the first time, she had a little bit of peanut butter on her face and I said something about it infront of the dr and the dr kinda went off on me about giving her peanut butter before the age of 2. I explained what the other doctor said and how she has been eating it for the past 8-9 months and he told me to stop giving it to her.

So, for 2 days I did not give her peanut butter toast and in turn...she wouldn't eat her breakfast, she just kept asking for it. This morning I caved and gave it to her because I was getting worried about her not eating anything. What do you think I should do? Do you think it's ok to keep giving it to her since she has had it for so long with no problem or is there something else wrong with giving them peanut butter before the age of 2 that I don't know about? She will be 2 in 3 months and there is NO history of a peanut allergy on either side of the family.

Answer 1

You're not supposed to feed them peanut butter because it is a choke food, not because of allergies.  You shouldn't give them hot dogs or grapes yet either.

The American Academy of Pediatrics says that children under 4 years old should not eat:

    * hot dogs

    * nuts and seeds

    * chunks of meat or cheese

    * whole grapes

    * hard, gooey or sticky candy

    * popcorn

    * chunks of peanut butter

    * raw vegetables

    * raisins

    * chewing gum

Who are you going to listen to, a bunch of strangers on the internet or the American Academy of Pediatrics?  Oh, and by the way, the Heimlich Maneuver doesn't work so well for soft,sticky food like peanut butter.  Is it really worth the risk?

EDlT TO ADD: Hey, thumbs down people, have you ever seen a two year old choke on peanut butter?  I have and it's horrifying.  But that's the fun of the internet, isn't it?  You get to give this mom a big "Atta girl!  You know baby best.  Doctors are idiots", and walk away with no accountability for the advice you give.  What if something does happen?  Do people who give bad advice on the internet share any responsibility for that?"

Answer 2

I would keep giving it to her. The first doctor didnt seem worried and shes been fine with it before. And what is really going to change in 3 months anyway.  

Answer 3

If she's had it every day for more than a month she's not allergic.  Your doctor is a quack and you need to find a new one.  

Answer 4

you've already tested her to see if she was allergic, its not like she'll spring out with an allergy over night. Like you said you've been feeding her p.b every morning for like ever. Its one of those situations where you just got to bite your cheek and say ok. I love how your doctor encouraged you to follow certain protocols and guidelines, but sometimes mothers know better than doctors.  

Answer 5

If your daughter was allergic to peanut butter, you'd know by now.  Give her peanut butter.

Sometime in the last year- the recommendation changed from 12 months to 24 months for introudcing peanut butter.  My oldest (2) was "cleared" to have peanut butter by his pediatrician (although I don't "ask permission" from the doctors on what I can feed my kids- I do my own research) at 12 months.  When I took my youngest (12 months) to the doctor for his 12 month check up- the doc told me to wait until 24 months (but he's had a few peanut butter sandwiches).

Answer 6

Don't know where you live, but here in the UK, we get smooth PB and chunky PB - I guess the risk of choking is higher with the chunky PB.

However, as far as the list of foods to avoid goes, I had to laugh!

I weaned my son using Baby-led weaning (http://babyledweaning.blogware.com/) - straight on to solid foods, with no baby rice / porridge or overcooked&mushed up veg.  Worked a treat.  I have a son who has never choked, loves his food and is average height and weight.  He has grapes, raisins and munches down on hunks of cheese and he's 15 months old.  I did it with the full backing of my health visitor and doctor.

Accidents happen - babies and children choke, but not allowing raisins until they're 4 is slight overkill.

Answer 7

I don't see anything wrong with it. I know you're not supposed to give peanut butter because of the risk of food allergies, but your daughter obviously hasn't developed an allergy to it. I'd say your okay to give it to her. She will be 2 soon, and  I honestly think 3 months isn't going to make a lot of difference.

Answer 8

Peanut allergies are one of the few allergies that can develop without a need to have a family history of allergies. It has to do with the immunity before they turn two years old. She could still develop an allergy, I know that sounds crazy, but it's true. You have to do what you think is best. You could try other foods with her, cream cheese, cheese whiz, etc. If that doesn't work, give her the peanut butter. Just keep an eye on her.

Answer 9

If there was an allergy I'm assuming it would have surfaced by now. Don't worry about it. Keep an eye on her if that eases your mind. But everything is fine.

Edit: Babies can't be over weight at 6 months. You need to get a new doctor.

Answer 10

Well my daughter weighed 2lbs less at your sons age, and I was told she was only in the 80th percentile for her age, and was told to feed her more.  Your son is very long, so yes he's going to have some weight on him, but he is not overweight at all.  As for the peanut butter, it seems like your daughter can handle it, and is not allergic to it.  I  mean she'll be 2 years in a few months, so it would be kinda dumb to hold of on it for 3 months if she can handle the texture now.  If it were me, I would find a new doctor though.

Answer 11

Every Mom second guesses herself, but rest assured, you're a GREAT Mom.

Not every baby is the same. If your son is healthy and sitting up on his own and playing with blocks and such, he's fine. Babies grow at different rates, and he will thin out once he begins walking.

Giving a little one peanut butter at age one is perfectly acceptable.

Answer 12

listen to the guy with the stechescope or put butter on it and say its peanut butter and if she says no just say yes its new try it ;)

Answer 13

Give her the peanut butter. If she has not had a reaction to it yet, I seriously doubt that she will. I did the same thing and gave peanut butter to my daughter when she was 10 months old and she didn't have a reaction either.

Answer 14

Doctors don't know everything and all children are different if she was going to have a peanut allergy it would have come up before now. So long as your not giving her a ton of peanut butter on her toast where she might choke she'll be fine.