when can you first introduce peanut butter

[newmom11]

just curious as to when it is appropriate to introduce peanut butter?  i have a 12 month old who thus far has had no allergies...my doc said that it is okay to introduce peanut butter right now, however i feel like i've recently heard and read that you should wait until they are closer to 2 years old.  any thoughts?

[We Three]

Our ped told us 2 years, FWIW.  My nephew has a lethal peanut allergy, so I'm in no rush.  However, the doc told us 2 years without knowing about my nephew.  I think I also read that in "what to expect the toddler years"?
I know alot of moms who gave it sooner and had no problems, though.

[ark]

My DS had Peanut Butter at 11 months w/ no problems.  However, I make sure that it's the creamy kind so he can't choke on the chunks of nuts.

I'm not sure what the new recommendations are though.

[Seona1973]

in the UK it is considered ok to introduce peanut products from 6 months as long as there is no family history of allergic diseases. DD had smooth peanut butter from around 1 year and ds had it from around 9 months - neither of them have had a problem with it.

This is from the UK babycentre website:

It's true that you shouldn't give whole nuts to children who are under five years old, because of the risk of choking. But nut butters and ground nuts are fine for babies over six months old and children who do not have a family history of allergies.

Serious allergies to nuts and nut products and some seeds affect less than one per cent of the population. Your baby may be at higher risk if you, your baby's father, brothers or sisters have certain allergic conditions such as hayfever, asthma and/or eczema.

If your baby is in this higher-risk group, avoid eating peanuts and peanut products while pregnant, during breastfeeding and during the introduction of solid foods. Until your child is at least three years old, peanuts and peanut products should be avoided.

If you think your child might be allergic to peanuts, contact your GP who can arrange for your baby to see an allergy specialist.

If you do not have a history of allergy in the family, you can give your baby ground nuts and nut spreads, including peanut butter, from six months.

[Caroline-Charlies Mummy]

I know I'm going out on a limb here, b/c of how popular it is over the pond, but I haven't ever given ds peanut butter, and it's not something I would have in the house. Most brands have added sugar and salt, and imho, it's really not 'necessary', especially in very little ones.

[We Three]

I hear ya, Charlotte.....I try to keep dd's foods as packed as possible....but the natural peanut butter  (I thought) is full of protein and the "good" fats that we all need.   

[aisling]

We've been doing all natural almond and peanut butter (almond is quite rich, but better nutrients for you) it is all natural, just smashed up and ground nuts done at the health food store.  No added sugar, additives or salt.  It is fab. It has a lot runnier consistency (so not a worry as much for choking) than commercial store bought brands that are full of "stuff."  DS has had it since 10 months and loves it, we have no history of food allergies in either families.   All natural Peanut or Almond butter (the ingredients are just pulverised nuts nothing else) is a great source of protein, many vegans and vegetarians (like DH) use this food source for their protein. DH and DS often eat peanut butter and banana whole wheat or flax seed tortilla wraps I make. They are so easy to make and portable for lunches too.

All natural Peanut butter is a good source of healthy fat for LO's and it contains contains protein, niacin, folate, vitamin E, magnesium and resveratrol.

All natural almond butter is a nutritional powerhouses that contain significant amounts of protein, calcium, fiber, magnesium, folic acid, potassium, and vitamin E. Almond butter has extremely low saturated fat content and is rich in monounsaturated fats making it a heart-healthy choice. I often add 2 teaspoons to our fruit yogurt shakes in the morning for energy.

My biggest complaint about the all natural butters are they contain no emulsifiers from bad fats so they do tend to get quite dry.  I add flax oil to "lube" them up, more the PB than the Almond butter.

Aisling x