Check with your pediatrician first if your baby has severe eczema, egg allergy, or a known food allergy
Introduce peanut butter when your baby is developmentally ready for solids, usually around 4 to 6 months
Use smooth peanut butter, not chunky peanut butter
Thin peanut butter with warm water, breast milk, formula, or puree to reduce choking risk
Offer a very small amount first, such as a tiny taste on the tip of a spoon
Give peanut butter when your baby is healthy and not fussy
Feed it at home, not right before bedtime or when you cannot watch closely
Watch for signs of an allergic reaction for at least 2 hours after feeding
Look for hives, swelling, vomiting, coughing, wheezing, trouble breathing, or sudden sleepiness
Stop feeding and seek emergency help if your baby has trouble breathing or severe symptoms
If there is no reaction, continue offering peanut butter regularly to help maintain tolerance
Mix peanut butter into foods your baby already tolerates, such as oatmeal, yogurt, or fruit puree
Avoid giving whole peanuts or thick spoonfuls of peanut butter
Keep peanut butter away from babies who cannot sit upright and eat safely
Introduce other common allergens one at a time in a similar way