Parents, listen up! For years, doctors thought that delaying the age at which kids first eat common allergens like peanuts, eggs, and milk could help them avoid allergies later in life. According to new guidance from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), it’s the other way around; introducing peanuts early may help some babies avoid allergies.
While the science in this area is still developing, the AAP’s new report says that there is more evidence than ever to suggest that purposefully introducing some foods to children early in life may help prevent them from developing food allergies, which affect about 8% of American kids and 11% of American adults.
The guidelines do not specify exactly when babies should eat these foods, but say there is no evidence that their introduction should be intentionally delayed beyond four to six months of age.
