Recent studies like the LEAP and EAT trials have transformed medical guidance on food allergy prevention, showing that early introduction of common allergens—especially peanuts—may significantly reduce allergy risk in infants. Rather than delaying allergenic foods, current research now supports introducing them safely and consistently starting as early as 4 to 6 months, particularly for high-risk infants, under medical supervision.
If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by the changing advice around introducing allergens to your baby, know that you’re not alone—and you’re not imagining it. For many years, parents were told to wait. Recommendations from the American Academy of Pediatrics back in 2000 advised delaying peanuts until age three, eggs until age two, and fish until age three, especially for babies with a higher risk of allergies. The thinking was that postponing exposure might prevent allergic reactions. But that advice wasn’t based on solid research.
That all started to change thanks to a growing body of high-quality studies. Today, we understand that offering allergenic foods earlier—especially peanuts—can actually help lower the chance of developing food allergies. This shift is backed by major research studies like the LEAP (Learning Early About Peanut Allergy) trial and new guidance from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID).
So, rather than avoiding allergens, the recommendation now emphasizes early and safe introduction. And yes, it’s natural to feel unsure or even nervous about it—especially if allergies run in your family. But knowing how to introduce these foods safely and how to tell if your baby may have a food allergy can help you move forward with confidence.
In this blog:
Here are a few key takeaways parents should remember:
By leaning into today’s research and expert-backed strategies, families can feel empowered to make early nutrition decisions that may help their little ones stay healthier in the long run.
For years, parents were told to hold off on peanuts, especially for high-risk babies. But everything changed with the LEAP (Learning Early About Peanut Allergy) study, published in 2015 in the New England Journal of Medicine. This research focused on 640 infants with severe eczema and/or an egg allergy—two red flags for increased peanut allergy risk.
What they found was remarkable: babies who were given peanut-containing foods regularly from as early as 4 to 11 months old had an 81% reduced risk of developing a peanut allergy by age 5.
💡 Quick Tip: Early introduction doesn’t mean doing it alone—partner with your pediatrician.
This was a huge step forward. It gave families, especially those with high-risk infants, a new tool for proactively reducing allergy risks. Introducing something like this peanut butter and oatmeal puree—under the guidance of a pediatrician—can be a great starting point.
Building on what LEAP proved about peanuts, the EAT (Enquiring About Tolerance) study explored another big question: what about other allergenic foods? Could early introduction of multiple allergens help even more babies?
This 2016 study looked at more than 1,300 exclusively breastfed infants and introduced six common allergens—peanut, cooked egg, cow’s milk, sesame, fish, and wheat—starting at three months of age.
The results? Among babies who followed the protocol closely, allergic reactions were significantly lower:
👶 Parent Tip: Sticking with the schedule helps maximize benefits—consistency is key.
Recipes like this egg yolk and avocado puree may help make that introduction simple and nutritious.
Together, the LEAP and EAT trials helped completely shift how we think about introducing allergenic foods. Instead of delaying, we now understand that introducing certain foods early—especially when done safely and intentionally—can help train a baby’s immune system to recognize them as harmless.
These studies showed that babies are less likely to develop food allergies when:
Want to feel more prepared? Our practical, research-backed article on how to safely introduce allergenic foods is a great place to start.
Timing really matters. But every baby is different, and their individual health history helps determine the right moment. The NIAID guidelines outline different suggested timelines based on whether your baby is high-risk or lower-risk for developing food allergies.
Babies with severe eczema or an egg allergy are at higher risk for peanut allergies. For these little ones, experts recommend starting peanut-containing foods between 4 and 6 months—but only after talking with your pediatrician. Your baby’s doctor might suggest testing, a supervised first feeding, or other steps to ensure the first exposure goes smoothly.
High-risk infants were the focus of the LEAP study, which showed that early introduction reduced peanut allergy risk significantly. Paying close attention to your baby’s skin and digestion can be important clues—check out how to recognize signs of a food allergy early on.
For babies without eczema or known food allergies, the general recommendation is to begin introducing allergenic foods around 6 months, alongside other solids. This approach supports their developing immune system through gradual, regular exposure.
Before offering allergenic foods, make sure your baby is:
💡 Quick Tip: Avoid introducing allergenic foods before 4 months of age—baby’s digestive system isn’t ready.
When it comes to safely introducing allergens, the best approach is one step at a time. Make sure to only offer one allergenic food at a time.
While the old “three-day rule” isn’t necessary for every new food, it’s helpful to wait two to three days between common allergens so you can spot any reaction more easily.
Once you’ve introduced a food and your baby handles it well, continue offering it about 2–3 times per week. Ongoing exposure helps maintain tolerance, just like the LEAP study showed.
How you serve allergenic foods makes all the difference.
💡 Quick Tip: Whole nuts and thick nut butters are choking hazards—always modify textures.
For peanut butter, thin it with a bit of breast milk, water, or formula, and mix into a soft food like oatmeal. This peanut butter and oatmeal puree is a great example.
For other allergens:
Feeling a little nervous about allergic reactions is absolutely normal. Knowing the signs can help you respond quickly and confidently.
Watch for these symptoms:
👶 Parent Tip: If you suspect a severe reaction, call emergency services immediately.
These are the major allergens to keep in mind (and consider introducing in safe forms during infancy):
Offering allergenic foods doesn’t have to be stressful. The LEAP and EAT studies, along with updated NIAID guidelines, give caregivers strong reasons to feel supported in taking a thoughtful, proactive approach.
Here are some helpful reminders:
For even more support, refer to our detailed step-by-step allergen introduction guide.
And if you've heard about waiting several days between introducing new foods, you may want to read our piece about debunking the three-day rule—because feeding solids doesn’t have to be one long waiting game.
With these tips and resources, you're already helping build a strong foundation for your baby’s future health—one spoonful at a time.
Written by: Dr. Diana Jimenez, Pediatrician specializing in child nutrition, lactation, and child development.
Sources:
New England Journal of Medicine – "Randomized Trial of Peanut Consumption in Infants at Risk for Peanut Allergy" (LEAP Study)
New England Journal of Medicine – "Enquiring About Tolerance (EAT) Study"
Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology – "Addendum Guidelines for the Prevention of Peanut Allergy in the United States" (NIAID)
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