peanut butter

My girls still haven't had peanut butter. Mostly this was because I didn't want them having it at day care for the first time and I kept forgetting to have them try it on the weekends. Now, I'm home for the summer and I think we should try it. Now I'm nervous for some reason. I have a tree nut allergy (cashews) that causes anaphylaxis. I love peanut butter though and it is a staple in my diet. Actually, Karina has accidentally been exposed to peanuts when she picked up a piece of peanut butter bar I dropped and ate it. And I know that allergists are no longer recommending delayed peanut exposure. So why I am freaking out about this now? I need to just do it and get it over with. I guess I don't really have a question. I just felt the need to tell you all what a wimp I am about this.

 

Beth, your wimpiness is totally normal! =) Just remember, though, that most allergic reactions are NOT on the first exposure, they're on the second, third, fourth or even fifth. So don't let your guard down once your girls try their first peanut butter sandwich and love it. Sorry to make this even more stressful... but we learned of Piper's surprise peanut allergy on her fourth or fifth exposure and I was really surprised. I thought since she had eaten peanut butter several times we were in the clear.

 

I don't have any allergies and I was still nervous about giving it to them, so I can only imagine how you feel! I finally got the confidence about three days ago to try it on my two, and it all went down fine. I made sure I had DH nearby incase anything should go wrong, but no problems.

You can do it! If Karina has already tried it, chances are you're good. Go on..you can do it!

 

Tricia~ What were her symptoms? Respiratory? Was it really severe or were you able to handle it at home? I have children's benedryl and zyrtec on hand if I need it.

 

I waited until after the girls turned 2. I could have tried it earlier, but I was nervous about it. I would call your pedi given your allergy and see what they suggest.

 

QUOTE(Leighann @ Jun 5 2009, 05:25 PM) [snapback]1342992[/snapback]
I waited until after the girls turned 2. I could have tried it earlier, but I was nervous about it. I would call your pedi given your allergy and see what they suggest.


He said they could have it after one year.

 

Good luck! Allergies are so yucky and scary - we all have them over here. I actually developed several food allergies as a young adult, which was a major bummer.

I probably won't give my kids peanut products any time soon. I am nervous and they love almond products, so why risk it? They have enough allergies to worry about right now. I know that they may eventually try it as they get older but at least then they can communicate how they are feeling. Not to say this is what you should do, just saying that I very much understand and wish you the best of luck when you try peanut butter (the first time and all thereafter)!

 

Don't put it into their mouths the first time. Just put a tiny bit on their cheek. If a red spot/hive appears, then they likely have an allergy and they shouldn't consume peanut butter. If nothing appears, you can put a little on their lips the next day. If the lip thing goes okay, you can give them some in their mouths the next day. If THAT goes well, it's peanut butter on toast at your house!

 

You're not a wimp! Who knew giving peanut butter could be so stessful?

If you ped. said ok, then go for it. Have DH or someone else around, just in case. And try giving it to them everyday for many days in a row.

I was nervous, too. Now my DD had a pb & j almost everyday! (THINK- EASY LUNCH!).

Good luck!

 

No history of allergies in my family and I was a wimp about it too, I just let my girls try it a couple weeks ago, then again last week. They don't like it! They are so weird! How can you not like PB&J?!

 

All of my girls had PB before a year. I was a bit concerned but not overly concerned about it. Neither DH or I have any food allergies or allergies other than seasonal allergies for that matter. I figure if they are going to have an allergic reaction to something, you're going to have to find out at some point. Just watch them carefully the first few times but I'm sure everything will be just fine.

I am so bad with all these 'don't do this until this time' things. They had eggs, strawberries, PB, you name it. All before the age of 1. Of course I'm also the type that doesn't disinfect binkies when they hit the floor. Oh well!

 

we had it our first 3 times while waiting in the doc's office or on our way there (i got cocky after the first time times). i also don't have allergies in my fam but was nervous.... however, all was well!

if you're really nervous i'd do it the same way. then again, we were having tons of appts around that time for different things, so it's not always feasible to do it near the doc's office.

best of luck and just remember that the actual percentage of the population w/bad allergies is tiny!

gl, jl

 

I was nervous about giving them peanut butter, we started giving it after a year and having the okay from our pedi. Ours did not like it at first and now they do like it and will eat a PB&J sandwich as long as the coating of PB is thin. Good luck whatever you decide and you are not a wimp!

 

I was really nervous about giving my boys PB too and no one in my family has any nut allergies. I coincidently gave them Honey Nut Cheerios to snack on before they were one, but never tried actual peanut butter until they were 14 months. I'd give them a tiny bit in the morning so you can monitor them throughout the day.

 

Thanks for the support, Ladies. We tried some peanut butter this morning and it was a hit. We'll keep trying for several days to make sure there are no signs of allergies.

 

QUOTE(sharerc @ Jun 6 2009, 01:50 AM) [snapback]1343215[/snapback]
All of my girls had PB before a year. I was a bit concerned but not overly concerned about it. Neither DH or I have any food allergies or allergies other than seasonal allergies for that matter. I figure if they are going to have an allergic reaction to something, you're going to have to find out at some point. Just watch them carefully the first few times but I'm sure everything will be just fine.

I am so bad with all these 'don't do this until this time' things. They had eggs, strawberries, PB, you name it. All before the age of 1. Of course I'm also the type that doesn't disinfect binkies when they hit the floor. Oh well!


sharerc; I pretty much echo your sentiment and didn't worry about it at all. I let them try PB at about six months; they loved it and still do. Did the same with eggs, strawberries, etc. way before they were one. (Gasp--put them to sleep on their tummies too, they hated sleeping on their backs). Anyway, to your point, if they are going to have a reaction, may as well be when you're with them and can deal with it accordingly. These of course are very personal choices as a parent though...it just wasn't a big deal for me and I simply wasn't going to let myself stress out about everything that 'could' happen...my two never took to binkies so didn't have to worry about those, LOL!

 

QUOTE(DarciH @ Jun 6 2009, 12:49 PM) [snapback]1343809[/snapback]
sharerc; I pretty much echo your sentiment and didn't worry about it at all. I let them try PB at about six months; they loved it and still do. Did the same with eggs, strawberries, etc. way before they were one. (Gasp--put them to sleep on their tummies too, they hated sleeping on their backs). Anyway, to your point, if they are going to have a reaction, may as well be when you're with them and can deal with it accordingly. These of course are very personal choices as a parent though...it just wasn't a big deal for me and I simply wasn't going to let myself stress out about everything that 'could' happen...my two never took to binkies so didn't have to worry about those, LOL!


One of mine was a tummy sleeper at 2.5 months. And they both sleep with bumpers in their cribs, blankets too. And I put sunscreen on them before they were 6 months old. Fed them baby food at 4 months. Let them play without me in the room. Gave them chocolate before age one. We also do CIO, even when sick. Let them sleep in swings sometimes. Hmmmm, what else. LOL!

I did do some things well with them though. They haven't had juice yet, only had BM and still have it at 13 months, ate all homemade baby food, still sit rear-facing in the car, eat veggies and fruit at most every meal. Gotta give myself credit in some places!

 

QUOTE(sharerc @ Jun 6 2009, 07:27 PM) [snapback]1343885[/snapback]
One of mine was a tummy sleeper at 2.5 months. And they both sleep with bumpers in their cribs, blankets too. And I put sunscreen on them before they were 6 months old. Fed them baby food at 4 months. Let them play without me in the room. Gave them chocolate before age one. We also do CIO, even when sick. Let them sleep in swings sometimes. Hmmmm, what else. LOL!

I did do some things well with them though. They haven't had juice yet, only had BM and still have it at 13 months, ate all homemade baby food, still sit rear-facing in the car, eat veggies and fruit at most every meal. Gotta give myself credit in some places!


Ditto on the bumpers, blankets, sunscreen, and I forgot to add honey - also let them try rice cereal at about 3 months! They didn't care for chocolate (that has since changed) and strangely to this day they don't really care for juice either--have even tried watering it down a little but "no like it". They devour fruits and vegetables, particulary watermelon and cucumbers. They're healthy and happy, so must be doing something right, LOL.

Again, it's absolutely a parent's decision on what to try/not try; there isn't a 'right' or 'wrong' way, kwim? You, me, and every parent of twins/multiples need to give ourselves/themselves a ton of credit for what we do, period!

 

One of my girls just had a reaction to something this week, eyes swelled, red face, hives. Once we administered Benadryl she was better. It was the fourth time she had peanut butter so I am thinking it was that, just not really sure. It could have been that or something else. My ped. said when we were ready to try it again, to put some on her arm and see what happens. Just have the Benadryl close by. We are waiting until 2 now, since my other DD does not like it.