Peanut question

[Rockett]

I'm a bit confused with the whole peanut thing....what age can children have peanuts or peanut containing products?
I'm asking because I bought DD (one in 2 weeks) some Heinz Little Kids fruit bars,for ages 1 to 3yrs,and it says it does contain traces of peanuts,almonds,cashews,macadamia,hazelnuts,walnut s and pecans.
Someone told me little kids shouldn't have nut containing products until 3 years of age. because of allergic reactions....is that right? Or is that for whole nuts so they don't choke?
DD has had arrowroot biscuits which I think says on the pack may contain traces of nuts,and she hasn't had a problem.
So is it ok to give these to her? I haven't yet,thought I'd better check first. :)

[Mamaduke]

I think you'll find alot of packaging will say "may contain traces of peanut...." it's mostly there to save themselves and the fact that alot of the machines used in the processing of these foods may also be used to process products with nuts in them. I always thought that you didn't give nuts to children under 1, mainly because of the choking hazard.

[pthalokitty]

We were told not before 1 and by others not before 5...no full size nuts for certain as they can choke. We tried my son on smooth peanut butter around the age of 1- he loves it. If you are going to try maybe wait until around that age, and try to do it in the daytime during the week when you can access a doctor quickly if there is a reaction. Also remember- if your child likes it, and you go to playgroups, try not to take any food with it on there as other kids can apparently have reactions to even traces of peanuts on hands/breath etc. It's such a shame that it can be such a problem food!
e xxoo

[pthalokitty]

sorry- missed the other stuff- food with traces of nuts I'm not so sure? For kids with anaphylactic reactions that might be a problem....
e xoo

[the_queen]

Carly's right about the machines used in processing. In some children, the allergy can be so severe that even the tiniest hint of nut can give them anaphalactic (sp?) shock. So those parents have to check everything their children eat in case it's been prepared on the same surface as something with nuts in it.
The speed of an anaphalactic reaction is frightening - kids with this allergy have to keep an epi-pen (injection of adrenaline) with them at all times, in case they have a reaction, because often they won't even make it to the hospital:eek: . Even though our family has no history of any kind of food allergies, I didn't give Vallerie peanut butter until she was over 2 yrs old (I think she's had it 5 or 6 times total - she never really liked it much), and with this new bub I probably won't try it until later than that. Better safe than sorry!

[runningmum]

I asked your exact question to a chn yesterday and she said no peanut containing products until 3 yrs due to a possible reaction, it's not because they may choke but how they may react to the nuts. Are macadamias etc different to peanuts though? It could be peanuts specifically and that walnuts and other types of nuts are okay. Sorry I'm no help!

[rynosmum]

My little boy loves peanut butter - he started having it at about 13 months.

My husband has anaphylaxis so we know how serious it is. Peanut allergy, although shocking, is only shown in a very small percentage of people. Anaphylaxis can be caused by so many other things - my husband's is actually from insects, not food. All it is is a severe allergic reaction (severe enough that I have seen my husband blue and not breathing within about 20 minutes from exposure)

I'm not sure why they would say to hold off for up to 5 years ? In that time, your child may be exposed to peanut butter etc in kindy or school - when you're not there to supervise. I'd much rather know if my DS had an allergy - for something as simple as this, I'd try it at home.

Remember, another big anaphylaxis trigger is seafood. But all of these occur in a minority of people.

[Peaceangels]

Butterfly, if DD has had a product with traces of nuts already with no sign of reaction, then it should be fine to give her the fruit bars you mentined.

Maybe start by giving her half of it or just a bite during the day (so you can watch for any reaction).

[xkwzit]

Hi Butterfly

I was told best to wait until the age of two for peanuts (because of the allergy) and till 5 for whole nuts (for the choking hazard). There was no advice for any other nuts and I know some women who use almond meal as a first food.

Although I'm sure that if you have a kid with a big nut problem, you'll already know because of accidental exposure. So I'd think it would be fine. My DDs had tried traces of peanuts (peanut butter, crushed peanuts and satays) before their 2nd birthdays.

Cheers

[Rockett]

Thanks for the replies....I'm think I'll try her on a little bit of the bar,during the day, and see how she goes.I'm sure she's had, as xkwzit mentioned,accidental exposure to nuts, like the arrowroot biscuits with no problem,and it looks like we've all been told different things in regards to what age kids can have nut products too.
Thanks again.:)