First foods database
🥜 Peanuts for babies: when and how to serve it
Can babies eat peanuts? Whole or chopped peanuts are a choking hazard and are not suitable for children under 5. Peanut itself, however, can and ideally should be introduced from around 6 months as smooth peanut butter or finely ground peanuts.
Good source of: Protein, Healthy fats, Vitamin E, Niacin
How to serve peanuts by age
6 to 9 months
Not as whole or chopped peanuts. Offer smooth peanut butter thinned with milk or water, or finely ground peanuts stirred into porridge.
9 to 12 months
Still no whole or chopped peanuts. Keep offering smooth peanut butter regularly.
12 months and up
Whole or chopped peanuts remain unsafe until 5. Keep offering peanut butter and ground peanuts.
Choking safety
Whole and chopped peanuts are a serious choking hazard for children under 5. Use smooth peanut butter or finely ground peanuts only.
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 major allergen: introduce early and keep it regular.
- If your baby has severe eczema or a known food allergy, speak to your GP first.
Introducing it as an allergen
It contains peanut, one of the 14 major allergens. How to introduce peanut
Goes well with
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Questions parents ask
Can babies eat peanuts?
Can babies eat peanuts? Whole or chopped peanuts are a choking hazard and are not suitable for children under 5. Peanut itself, however, can and ideally should be introduced from around 6 months as smooth peanut butter or finely ground peanuts.
When can babies eat whole peanuts?
Not until 5 years, because of choking risk.
How do I introduce peanut to my baby?
Offer a small amount of smooth peanut butter or ground peanuts from around 6 months, then keep offering regularly.
Sources
- NHS: Foods to avoid giving babies and young children
- NHS: How to stop a child from choking
- BSACI: Early feeding guidance
- NHS: Food allergies in 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).