What is the recommended amount of peanut butter powder to introduce to a 6-month-old infant?

Recommended Amount of Peanut Butter Powder for a 6-Month-Old

Give your 6-month-old 2 teaspoons (4 grams) of peanut butter powder mixed with approximately 2 tablespoons (6-7 teaspoons) of pureed tolerated fruit or vegetables to provide approximately 2 grams of peanut protein per serving. 1

Initial Introduction Protocol

First Feeding Instructions

• Start with a tiny amount on the tip of a spoon of the prepared peanut butter powder mixture 1
• Wait 10 minutes after this small taste to observe for any reaction 1
• If no reaction occurs, gradually feed the remainder of the full 2-gram peanut protein serving at your infant's typical eating pace 1
• Observe for 30 minutes after the full serving is consumed for signs of allergic reaction 1

Safety Precautions for First Introduction

• Only introduce peanut when your infant is completely healthy—no cold, vomiting, diarrhea, or other illness 1
• Conduct the first feeding at home, not at daycare or a restaurant 1
• Ensure at least one adult can focus entirely on the infant without distractions 1
• Plan to observe your infant for at least 2 hours after feeding 1

Ongoing Maintenance Dosing

Weekly Target

After successful introduction, provide approximately 6-7 grams of peanut protein per week, divided over 3 or more feedings to maintain tolerance and prevent peanut allergy development. 1 This evidence comes from the LEAP study, where 75% of children consuming at least this amount showed protection against peanut allergy. 1

Per-Feeding Amount

• Each feeding should contain approximately 2 grams of peanut protein 1
• This translates to 2 teaspoons (4 grams) of peanut butter powder mixed with puree 1
• Feed this amount at least 3 times per week to maintain tolerance 1, 2

Preparation Details

How to Mix Peanut Butter Powder

1. Measure 2 teaspoons (4 grams) of peanut butter powder 1
2. Add approximately 2 tablespoons (6-7 teaspoons) of previously tolerated pureed fruit or vegetables 1
3. Adjust the volume of puree up or down to achieve a consistency comfortable for your infant 1

The guidelines note that peanut flour and peanut butter powder are distinct products but may be interchanged because they have similar peanut protein content per 10 grams. 1

Critical Timing Considerations

Introduction should occur around 6 months of age, but not before 4 months, as this timing window has the strongest evidence for preventing peanut allergy. 2, 3 Recent evidence suggests that delaying introduction until 8 months or later significantly increases the risk of reactions at first exposure, particularly in infants with moderate to severe eczema (odds ratio 5.24 for moderate eczema and 3.61 for severe eczema when introduced at ≥8 months versus <8 months). 4

Important Safety Warnings

Choking Hazards to Avoid

• Never give whole nuts to children under 5 years of age 1
• Never give peanut butter directly from a spoon or in lumps/dollops to children under 4 years 1
• Always thin or mix peanut butter powder with purees to achieve an appropriate consistency 1

When to Seek Medical Attention

If your infant displays any allergic symptoms within 2 hours of eating peanut after a week or more of regular consumption, contact your healthcare provider immediately. 1 For severe symptoms during the first introduction (such as difficulty breathing, significant swelling, or multiple body systems affected), call 911. 1

Special Considerations for High-Risk Infants

If your infant has severe eczema and/or egg allergy, these recommendations still apply, but you may need allergy testing first and potentially supervised introduction in a medical setting depending on test results. 1 However, the evidence shows that introduction before 8 months remains critical even in these high-risk groups to minimize reaction risk. 4

Common Implementation Barriers

Many pediatricians report uncertainty about correctly applying these guidelines and parental concerns about allergic reactions as major barriers to implementation. 5 Understanding that the risk of severe reaction at first exposure in infancy is extremely low can help alleviate these concerns. 2 The key is following the gradual introduction protocol outlined above and maintaining regular consumption once successfully introduced.