Nuts

DId you nurse? DId you eat these things while nursing? Did your son develop hives, barfing, or any other symptoms when he nursed these things?

My kids barfed up peanuts and cashew/pistachio/mangoes (those last three are in the poison ivy allergy family--who knew?) when I ate them as a nursing momma, or when they ate them as little people. They can eat a limited amount now; I've never really tried a full-bore "eat them as a normal food" experiment. I think I started trying them on those foods around 2. I still mostly avoid them (when I haven't eaten them for 8 years, I just don'tthink to buy them anymore).

I introduced peanuts at 1 year. Our pediatrician said it would be fine to try, since my son didn't have any problems with me eating peanuts while nursing, nor did he have any other food reactions. Also, we don't have any family history of food allergies. Of course, I only started him with a tiny bit, then gradually increased it when he didn't have any problems. He's been fine--and it is so nice being able to let him eat peanut products without worrying!

The recommendation used to be to wait until the first birthday. People decided that if waiting a year was good, then waiting 2 was even safer. If got to the point where pediatricians recommended waiting until age 4!
Recent studies have shown that the USA has one of the highest instances of peanut allergies, so some research was done. They have discovered that the countries (like Thailand) that have peanut products in everything and introduce babies to peanuts at a very young age, have the least number of cases of allergies. "They found that children who avoided peanuts in infancy were 10 times as likely to develop peanut allergy as those who were exposed to peanuts."
If you have had any peanut products and then nursed, touched, or kissed your child, then he has already been introduced to them.

Here is a link to the article in the LA Times.
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/booster_shots/2008/10/stu...

I would wait until at least 2 as your doctor has recommended. I might even wait longer. Peanut allergies are common now. My granddaughter was spitting up her formula more than normal when she was just 3-4 months old. The doctor tested for allergies. She was allergic to milk but also peanuts and several other foods and environmental things. She has never eaten peanuts or peanut butter but yet the doctor prescribed an epi-pen to be with her at all times. Peanut allergies can be that serious. Infrequently but sometimes with the first ingestion.

As our baby's immune system matures their is less chance of developing an allergy. I would stay away from all nuts until the dr. gives the OK. Tree nut allergies are also common but not as common as peanut allergies.

I learned that I was allergic to peanuts, chocolate, and many other foods when I was in my 20's. I was tested because I had a chronically upset stomach and diarrhea. Wne I was careful what I ate. I'm told that I may have been allergic to those things all along and my system could handle them until my body was overloaced over time or something like that. It is better to be safe than sorry.

I tried peanut butter with my 18 month old, no nuts up to this point and she is allergic. It was the tiniest bit and as soon as it made contact with her skin she got hives. I tried again a few days later to confirm and again the tiniest bit and contact with skin immediately caused hives. So I just switched to almond butter and will wait awhile. She didn't even like it that much.
My friend has a daughter 9 weeks younger who loves pb &j sandwiches and no issues at all. I just reccommend trying a small amount with no other "new" food introductions and see if there is a contact reaction or anything else. Then increase the amount to what you would put on a sandwich.
I have heard suggestions from pediatricians all over the board up to wait til they are 5.

I have several friends who are Naturopaths and what I have heard is that vaccines require a protein carrier to get the bacteria or virus in question into the body. So vaccines are often made with with peanut oil or egg protein.
Apparently this is why many people end up reacting to peanuts and eggs. The first time the body encountered these foods they were combined with something icky and the body responded with an immune response. The next time the body ingests these foods, they mistakenly think they are icky and the immune system attacks and there are physical symptoms.
Not everyone responds this way. Many people have had peanut based vaccines and can eat peanuts. Our immune systems are not machines. They work slightly differently depending on the body that supports them. We all get different illnesses.
I would just try all other nuts first. There's almond butter, cashew butter etc. I have found pecans soft enough for a toddler to bite and chew. I have a friend whose son is allergic to all nuts, but he's the only one I know. When you introduce a new food, just keep the rest of his diet exactly the same and don't introduce any other new foods for 3 days. Then you know whether the nut you tried is responsible or not. Watch for any skin reactions or changes in stools, gas, burping or bloatedness. I would add mood changes but that is a given for a toddler!!
I know it would be nice to know if peanut butter is ok for him cos its everywhere. But it makes sense to try other nuts first, cos if he is allergic to nuts in general, his reaction to peanuts might be worse.
I think your ped is right that immunity does get alot stronger by 2 yrs old. But if there is no history in your family re nut allergy, I would think it fine to try some nuts and maybe wait a few months on peanuts if u agree with him. Oh and soaking nuts in water makes them SO much easier to digest. That's really important for little tums. Just google "soaking" or "sprouting" "nuts" and you'll see why.
If I'd thought of that, I would have said it first!

Hi! I have a 17 month old boy as well and just moved to Portland! We've had several pediatricians, all have recommended waiting till age two to start nuts. I've been really eager to start him because I'd like to him to get the benefits of nuts, especially walnuts (high in Omega 3/DHA). So.... the other day I let my son try a tiny little bite of my toast with peanut butter. No reaction. Next day gave him a little bit more... no reaction. For several days I gave him small amounts and monitored him closely. Today he had a peanut butter and jelly sandwich for lunch! He's doing absolutely great and seemed to really enjoy it. My rational was that if you don't have allergies in your immediate family you should go ahead and try it in a supervised situation. I waited until we had an open schedule just in case there was a reaction and we had to go to the ER. Anyway, I'm thrilled to have passed this hurdle. I think it's a personal decision, but sometimes waiting longer can make it riskier. Good luck! If you are new to the area and looking for a playmate for your little guy we could meet in a park somewhere. Let me know!