“Jane the Virgin” star Justin Baldoni and his wife discuss their experience with introducing peanuts to their infant son in an effort to avoid allergies later on.
Many parents of newborns and young infants worry their children will develop food allergies. They may not be aware that new guidelines now recommend introducing peanut-containing foods to infants. This is done in order to reduce the risk of developing a peanut allergy.
New ideas
Early peanut introduction is a new idea, and it makes some parents nervous.
Justin Baldoni and his wife Emily recently introduced their five-month-old son Maxwell to peanuts by mixing peanut powder with breastmilk.
“As a father, I want to do everything I can to ensure my children have the best chance at a happy, healthy life,” says Baldoni. “That’s why, after learning about the new guidelines, we chose to introduce peanuts to Maxwell as a baby. By feeding him peanut foods early and regularly, we can drastically reduce his chances of developing an allergy.”
Backed by science
The guidelines are from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases and are endorsed by groups such as the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI). The guidelines map out a path for parents who want to introduce peanut-containing foods.
“Most parents can introduce infants to baby-safe peanut foods around six months of age as often as they’d like,” says allergist Jay Lieberman, M.D. Lieberman is the vice chair of the ACAAI Food Allergy Committee. “Infants with severe eczema or an egg allergy, or both, are considered high-risk and parents should consult their pediatrician before introducing peanut foods. Parents should also know that every child’s risk level is different, and even low-risk infants can react. It’s a good idea to consult with your health care provider regarding risk.”
The following resources feature information on early peanut introduction, as well as a video series documenting Baldoni’s experience:
- PreventPeanutAllergies.org: a new website and campaign from ACAAI.
- Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Connection Team
- National Peanut Board