When to Start Peanut and Egg to Help Prevent Allergies

April 1, 2026 Infant

How Starting Solid Foods at the Right Time May Help Prevent Food Allergies

Years ago, parents were told to wait before giving babies foods that might cause allergies. Some pregnant women were even told to avoid eating certain foods.

Now we know more.

A large research study showed that babies at high risk for peanut allergy were less likely to develop a peanut allergy when they were given small amounts of peanut foods starting in infancy. The benefit lasted into the teen years.

Because of this research, expert groups updated their advice.

What Do Experts Recommend?

Medical groups now say:

Pregnant and breastfeeding parents do not need to avoid allergy foods to prevent allergies.
Offering your baby a variety of foods may help lower allergy risk.
Introduce peanut and egg around 6 months of age, but not before 4 months. 
Note: If your baby has severe eczema or a known food allergy, talk with your health care provider before giving peanut foods.
Other common allergy foods can also be introduced around  this time.

Since these changes have been made, peanut allergy rates have gone down in young children, even with those who already had a food allergy or atopic dermatitis (such as eczema, asthma, or hay fever).

Common Foods That Can Cause Allergies

These are the most common allergy foods:

PEANUTS

TREE NUTS

(like almonds, cashews, walnuts)

EGGS

MILK AND DAIRY

WHEAT

SOY

SESAME

FISH

SHELLFISH

Peanuts and tree nuts are more likely to cause serious reactions.
That is why early introduction is important.

How to Introduce Allergy Foods Safely

Your baby should show signs they are ready for solids before starting.

These signs include:

Start introducing potential allergy foods after your baby has tried a few simple foods, such as infant cereal, pureed fruits, or vegetables.

PEANUT TIPS

Introduce peanut foods around 6 months, once baby is ready for solids
Start with a small amount (about 1–2 teaspoons of thinned peanut butter).
Mix peanut butter with warm cereal, breastmilk, formula, or pureed fruit.
Never give whole nuts or thick spoonfuls of peanut butter. These are choking hazards.
Whole nuts should not be given until about age 4.

EGG TIPS

DAIRY TIPS

Signs of a Food Allergy

Call your health care provider right away if your baby has:

Call 911 if your baby has trouble breathing, repeated vomiting, or becomes very weak or pale.

Tips for Success

1

Start solids around 6 months, when your baby shows signs they are ready.

2

Do not delay offering peanut or egg without a medical reason.

3

Offer a wide variety of foods.

4

Keep foods safe and in the right texture for your baby.

If you have questions, your WIC staff or health care provider can help guide you.

REFERENCES:

American Academy of Pediatrics. healthychildren.org. (2025, June 12). When to Introduce Egg, Peanut Butter & Other Common Food Allergens to a Baby.
https://www.healthychildren.org/English/healthy-living/nutrition/Pages/when-to-introduce-egg-peanut-butter-and-other-common-food-allergens-to-your-baby-food-allergy-prevention-tips.aspx

American Academy of Pediatrics. healthychildren.org. (2025). Symptom Checker: Food Allergies.
https://www.healthychildren.org/English/tips-tools/Symptom-Checker/IFrame/Pages/symptomviewer.aspx?symptom=Food+Allergy

Fleischer, David M. et al. A Consensus Approach to the Primary Prevention of Food Allergy Through Nutrition:
Guidance from the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology; American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology; and the Canadian Society for Allergy and Clinical Immunology. The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology: In Practice, Volume 9, Issue 1, 22 – 43.e4
https://www.jaci-inpractice.org/article/S2213-2198(20)31211-3/abstract

MedlinePlus. (2025, January 1). Allergen.
https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/002229.htm

Author: Bridget Swinney, MS, RDN, LD