Peanut Allergies Are Dropping in Kids—Here's What Parents Should Know
On This Page
For many years, parents were told to hold off on offering peanuts to babies. But new research is adding weight to a growing body of evidence that doing the opposite—feeding peanuts early—might help prevent peanut allergies in the first place.
A major new study published in Pediatrics has found that rates of food allergies among children under 3 have dropped significantly over the past decade. And the biggest change? A sharp decline in peanut allergies.
A Sharp Drop in Peanut Allergies
Researchers at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) reviewed data from over 125,000 children across 45 pediatric clinics. They compared food allergy diagnoses before and after national guidelines shifted to encourage earlier introduction of allergenic foods like peanuts.
They found that the rate of peanut allergy dropped by 43% between 2011 and 2020, and overall food allergies decreased by 36% during the same time frame.
Dr. Stanislaw Gabryszewski, the study’s first author, says this is the first large-scale evidence in the U.S. showing that the national push for early peanut introduction may be paying off.
“Everyone has been wondering whether these landmark public health interventions have had an impact,” he said in a CHOP press release. “We now have data that suggest that the effect... is occurring,” he noted in a press release.
A Case for Early Introduction
Food allergies often begin when the immune system mistakenly sees certain food proteins as harmful invaders. Researchers believe that introducing those foods early—when a baby’s immune system is still developing—can help teach the body that foods like peanuts are safe.
The national guidelines recommend introducing common food allergens like peanuts, eggs, and dairy between 4 to 6 months of age, depending on the baby’s readiness for solids. This approach is often called “early introduction.”
While researchers can’t say for certain that early peanut exposure is behind the drop, the timing does align with the shift in guidelines. Still, further study is needed to confirm a direct cause-effect relationship (this study didn’t track exact feeding behaviors).
“Our findings have relevance from those of us who treat patients to those caring for infants,” said Dr. David Hill, the study’s senior author. “More awareness, education, and advocacy could further increase the positive results we observed.”
What This Means for Parents
If you’re the parent of a baby, the idea of introducing peanuts might feel nerve-wracking. But for most families, offering tiny amounts of peanut-containing foods early on is not only safe—it may help your child avoid a lifelong allergy.
Here are a few tips to consider:
- Talk to your pediatrician before starting solids, especially if your baby has eczema or a family history of allergies.
- Start small. A smear of smooth, sugar-free, low-sodium peanut butter mixed into breastmilk or formula is plenty.
- Choose age-appropriate forms. Avoid whole peanuts or chunky peanut butter, which are choking hazards, and go for varieties without lots of added sugar and salt.
- Don’t rush. Watch your baby closely after each new food you introduce.
The Big Picture
While more work is needed to understand exactly how feeding practices affect allergy development, this study offers solid support for early food introduction as a tool to help protect children from serious allergies. And for parents looking for ways to support their baby's lifelong health, this approach is worth discussing with your doctor.
As Dr. Hill puts it, “Future studies could explore specific feeding practices that help us better understand the timing, frequency, and dose of foods that optimize protection.” In the meantime, small steps—like a tiny taste of peanut butter—could add up to big benefits.