First foods database
🥜 Peanut butter for babies: when and how to serve it
Can babies eat peanut butter? Yes, from about 6 months, as smooth peanut butter thinned or spread thinly. Introducing peanut early and keeping it in the diet regularly may lower the chance of a peanut allergy developing.
Good source of: Protein, Healthy fats, Vitamin E, Niacin
How to serve peanut butter by age
6 to 9 months
For a first taste, stir about a quarter teaspoon of smooth peanut butter into porridge, yoghurt or fruit purée, or spread very thinly on toast fingers. Gradually increase over the next few days if all is well.
9 to 12 months
Spread thinly on toast, stir into porridge, or mix with warm water into a sauce for noodles and vegetables.
12 months and up
Serve on toast, with apple slices, in baking and in sauces. Choose peanut butter with no added salt or sugar.
Choking safety
Thick globs of nut butter can stick to the roof of the mouth. Never give it straight from a spoon; spread thinly or thin with water or milk. Whole and chopped peanuts must not be given to children under 5.
Gagging is common and noisy while babies learn to eat. Choking is usually silent. Always stay with your baby while they eat, sitting upright. How to help a choking baby (NHS).
Good to know
- Peanut is a common allergen: start small and keep offering about once or twice a week.
- If your baby has severe eczema or a known food allergy, speak to your GP before introducing peanut.
- No whole or chopped nuts for under-5s.
Introducing it as an allergen
It contains peanut, one of the 14 major allergens. How to introduce peanut
Easy ideas
- Peanut butter stirred into porridge
- Thinly spread toast fingers
- Peanut sauce with noodles and broccoli
Goes well with
Recipes with peanut butter
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Questions parents ask
Can babies eat peanut butter?
Can babies eat peanut butter? Yes, from about 6 months, as smooth peanut butter thinned or spread thinly. Introducing peanut early and keeping it in the diet regularly may lower the chance of a peanut allergy developing.
When can babies have peanut butter?
From about 6 months, as long as it is smooth and thinned or spread thinly.
How often should my baby have peanut?
Once introduced, keep offering it regularly, around once or twice a week, to help maintain tolerance.
Sources
- BSACI: Early feeding guidance
- NHS: Food allergies in babies and young children
- NHS: Foods to avoid giving babies and young children
OBubba gives general information based on UK guidance. It is not medical advice and does not diagnose anything. Every baby is different. If your baby has a known allergy, severe eczema or a medical condition, speak to your doctor or health visitor before starting solids. Learn baby first aid, and in an emergency call your local emergency number (999 in the UK).