Introducing peanuts to babies can feel a little overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be complicated. In this post, I’m sharing exactly how I introduced peanuts to my baby – starting with the tiniest dab and slowly increasing the amount over four different meals. You’ll see the simple foods I paired it with, how I prepared each one, and why I serve peanut butter on the utensil or on top of food instead of mixing it in!
Why I’m Extra Careful with Peanut Exposure
This isn’t my first time introducing peanuts. With my toddler, I introduced peanut butter around 6–7 months with no reaction. Everything seemed fine… until one day, out of nowhere, she had a reaction at 8 months. That experience taught me to be on high alert, even when things start off smoothly.
With my second baby, I’m being extra intentional about how I introduce and re-introduce allergens. Experts recommend keeping peanut in the diet consistently (at least twice a week) after the first introduction, because continued exposure may lower the risk of developing an allergy later. That’s my plan this time around, and I’m sticking to it.
How I Introduced Peanuts This Week
When it came time to introduce peanuts, I knew I wanted to start small and go slow. Instead of giving a big serving right away, I began with just a tiny dab, barely more than a taste – and gradually increased the amount over the next few days.
Another thing I do is avoid mixing peanut butter into the food. Babies don’t always finish their bowls, and a lot of mealtime is just touching and exploring. So instead, I put the peanut butter directly on the utensil or spread it lightly on top of the food. That way, I know exactly how much she actually ate.
I paired peanuts with foods she already knew and liked, like oatmeal, pancakes, banana, and yogurt. This made the process feel simple and safe, while keeping the focus on the new allergen.
Here’s exactly how I offered peanut butter in four different ways – starting with the tiniest dab and slowly increasing the amount.
1. Strawberry Oatmeal with a Tiny Dab
On the very first day, I prepared her usual strawberry oatmeal and placed just a very small dab of smooth peanut butter directly on her spoon. This way, when she picked it up, the peanut butter went straight into her mouth, and I could track exactly how much she ate.
Ingredients (1 baby portion):
- 3 tablespoons quick oats
- ½ cup water or milk (breast milk, formula, or whole milk if already introduced)
- 2–3 small strawberries, finely mashed or diced
- Tiny dab of smooth peanut butter (about pea-sized for first exposure)
Instructions:
- In a small saucepan, combine oats and water (or milk). Cook on low heat until thickened and soft, about 5 minutes.
- Mash or finely dice the strawberries and stir them into the warm oatmeal.
- Cool slightly to a safe temperature.
- Place the peanut butter directly on the utensil so it goes right into baby’s mouth and you know the exact amount eaten.
2. Sweet Potato Banana Pancakes with Peanut Butter Spread
Next, I made a simple batch of sweet potato banana pancakes. The batter was mashed banana, mashed sweet potato, egg, and a little oat flour cooked on a nonstick pan until set. Once they cooled, I spread a thin layer of peanut butter on top. She played with it in her hands, smeared some around, and eventually ate about a fourth of the pancake. It was a fun, hands-on way to expose her to peanut butter with a new texture.
Ingredients (makes 4–5 small pancakes):
- ½ cup cooked mashed sweet potato (about 1 small sweet potato)
- ½ ripe banana, mashed
- 1 egg
- 2–3 tablespoons oat flour (or finely ground oats)
- Smooth peanut butter for spreading on top
Instructions:
- Cook the sweet potato until soft (steam, bake, or microwave), then mash until smooth.
- In a bowl, mash the banana and combine with sweet potato.
- Whisk in the egg, then stir in oat flour until you have a thick but spoonable batter.
- Add a splash of water, milk, or breast milk if too thick.
- Heat a nonstick skillet over low-medium heat and lightly grease with oil, butter, or spray.
- Spoon small pancakes into the pan and cook for 2–3 minutes per side, until golden and cooked through.
- Cool slightly, then spread a thin layer of smooth peanut butter on top before serving.
3. Banana with Two Dabs of Peanut Butter
I also offered banana with two small dabs of peanut butter spread right on top. I left part of the peel and handle on so she could hold it more easily. This ended up being the meal she ate the most because she absolutely loves banana. It was also one of the simplest prep methods for me.
4. Whole Milk Yogurt with Peanut Butter
Lastly, I offered peanut butter with yogurt. Instead of mixing it into the bowl, I placed just over a quarter teaspoon directly on her spoon. Babies often play with yogurt more than they eat it, so this ensured she actually got a measurable amount.
Why I Plan to Keep Offering Peanut Regularly
Introducing peanuts isn’t a “one-time milestone.” What really matters is continued exposure. I plan to keep offering it at least twice a week, in different easy ways, so that it stays part of her regular diet.
Some of my go-to ways will be: spreading a thin layer on pancakes, adding a dab to fruit, or putting it right on the utensil with oatmeal or yogurt. These simple methods help me keep peanut in the rotation without overcomplicating mealtime!
Watching Her Become a Curious and Happy Eater
What I’ve loved most this time is seeing how much my baby enjoys food. She’s already tried over 20 different foods and is quickly becoming such a curious and happy eater. She reaches out to grab her food, touches and squishes it, and then takes bites on her own. It’s messy, but it’s also amazing to watch her grow more independent and confident with every meal.
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