Early Peanut Feeding: A Game Changer for Kids' Health

Peanuts, once a no-go for babies, are now a superhero in preventing allergies. A new study shows that since doctors started recommending early peanut introduction, around 60, 000 kids have dodged peanut allergies. This shift began in 2015 when research proved that giving peanut products to infants could lower allergy risks. The study, published in the journal Pediatrics, tracked food allergy diagnoses in young children. It found a big drop in peanut allergies after the new guidelines. For high-risk kids, allergies fell by over 27% in 2015 and by over 40% in 2017 when the guidelines expanded. But why the change? For years, doctors told parents to wait until age 3 to introduce peanuts. Then, a big study called LEAP showed that early peanut exposure could cut allergy risks by over 80%. This protection even lasted into teens for about 70% of kids. However, putting this into practice has been slow. Many doctors and parents were unsure about the best way to introduce peanuts early. Some worried it might not work outside of strict clinical settings. Still, the new research shows that early peanut introduction is catching on and making a real difference. Parents are now advised to introduce peanuts and other allergens between four and six months. This can be done with small tastes of peanut butter, yogurt, or other allergenic foods. Experts say this helps the immune system get used to these foods safely. Some parents, like Tiffany Leon, a dietitian, have embraced the new guidelines. She introduced peanuts early to her sons and saw the benefits. Her mother was surprised at first, but Leon trusted the science. She said, "This is what we’re going to do. "