Feed your newborn peanut butter?! #umm #nothanks
(New parents, read this addendum to the “expert” peanut allergy “finding.”)
In case you’ve sworn off the news or have been in another world, researchers are now suggesting that we should give our babies peanuts, in small amounts as early as possible, to help them avoid a peanut allergy. While we’re typically eager to hear their latest findings, this one in particular is rubbing many moms, dads and caregivers of food allergy kids the wrong way. Why? This risk that they’re asking new parents to take is A HUGE RISK. And one that will bring many of them bad results. How do I know this? Well, let’s just let the AllerMates community answer that…
Elizabeth S. says: At nine months old, my child already had an off-the-charts peanut allergy. You can’t feed a baby peanuts.
Traci E. says: This study may ring true with kids that develop allergies later in life, but holds no substance for those of us whose kids had allergies from the get go. I ate all the things she’s allergic to when I was pregnant. Unfortunately, and food allergy parents know this, there is never a “one size fits all” in our world.
Casey D says: My son’s eye swelled shut at 3 months old, when I kissed his face after eating peanut butter…
Tina B says: My son ate them every day from 6 months old, and he developed his peanut allergy at 18 months.
This isn’t even scratching the surface. The comments go on and on, and it’s not that we feel we’re being blamed or that we question their approach to this study. It’s because of the risk.
If researchers and the media really feel this is something worth sharing with the world, they should tell new, unknowing parents what exactly to expect when their child has a reaction to peanuts or any allergen. Because it’s a scary and uncertain situation.
So new parents, here’s the advice you should have gotten along with this “finding”:
Listen to your pediatrician and follow their guidelines.
Stock Benadryl in your kitchen and in your diaper bag. Most of us didn’t know this when we started out, and it’s truly a must have.
Have an allergist on standby or, better yet, be proactive and have your child tested to avoid any surprises.
Always keep an eye on your child after giving him or her a new food. You just never know what they could be allergic to, and you’d probably be surprised at the various allergies our parents deal with.
Educate yourself. Most of you have no idea how serious food allergies are, but the number of kids diagnosed with them each year is no doubt on the rise. And food allergies are serious business.
And last, but certainly not least, DON’T believe everything you read because you could be put in harm’s way.
If you have a different take on this, we’re all ears. Please share in the comments below or on our Facebook page.
Iris
P.S. Hear the opinions of your fellow parents by joining AllerMates on Facebook and signing up for my newsletter.