Can I eat peanuts while pregnant or breast feeding?
In August 2009, the Government issued new advice to mums and mums-to-be about eating peanuts during pregnancy and when breast feeding.
The new advice is based on a review of scientific evidence,
which now shows that eating peanuts during pregnancy, or when
breast feeding, does not increase the risk of your baby developing
a peanut allergy.
Some women may have previously avoided eating peanuts or foods
containing peanuts during pregnancy or when breast feeding. This is
because the Government used to advise that women who are pregnant
or breast feeding should avoid eating peanuts if there's a history
of allergy in their child's immediate family. Examples of
allergies are asthma, eczema, hayfever and food allergy. However,
the new evidence shows this advice to be out of date.
The new advice is given in the table below. For more information
please visit the Food
Standards Agency website.
| Pregnant or planning to have a
baby? |
If you would like to eat peanuts or foods containing peanuts
(such as peanut butter) during pregnancy, it is safe to do so,
unless you yourself are allergic to them or unless your healthcare
professional advises you not to. Make sure you eat a healthy
balanced diet while pregnant.
If you have any questions or concerns, you should discuss these
with your healthcare professional.
|
| Breast feeding or have an infant under 6
months old? |
If you would like to eat peanuts or foods containing peanuts
(such as peanut butter) when you are breast feeding, it is safe to
do so, unless you yourself are allergic to them or unless your
healthcare professional advises you not to. Make sure you eat a
healthy balanced diet while breast feeding.
If you have any questions or concerns, you should discuss these
with your GP, midwife, health visitor or other healthcare
professional.
|
|
Introducing your child to solids?
|
You should try to exclusively breast feed your baby until four
to six months of age.
If your child already has a known allergy, such as food allergy,
asthma or eczema, or if there is a history of allergy in your
child's immediate family (for example the child's parents, brothers
or sisters), then your child may have a higher risk of developing
peanut allergy. In these cases you should talk to your healthcare
professional before you give peanuts or foods containing peanuts to
your child for the first time.
Whole peanuts or whole nuts should never be given to children
under five because of the risk of choking.
|