New Guidance on Peanut Allergy Prevention Urges Earlier Introduction for At-Risk Babies

Medical journal the New England Journal of Medicine says peanuts should be introduced to high-risk infants from as young as four months, in a shift from older cautious approaches.

What the Guidance Says

The New England Journal of Medicine has published new clinical guidance recommending that peanuts be introduced to babies at high risk of allergy from four to six months of age. For infants not considered high risk, introduction at around six months is advised. The guidance marks a notable departure from the once-common advice to delay peanut exposure in young children.

The journal — one of the most widely read medical publications in the world — posted the findings on its official account, directing followers to a full Clinical Practice article for detail.

Early Immunotherapy: A Safer Option for Allergic Infants

For babies already diagnosed with a peanut allergy, the guidance goes further. Early immunotherapy — a treatment that gradually exposes the immune system to an allergen in controlled doses — is described as both safer and more effective when started young.

That’s a meaningful shift. Parents of allergic infants have historically faced limited options beyond strict avoidance, which carries its own risks in a world where peanut traces turn up in everything from biscuits to bread.

The New England Journal of Medicine, posting on X, stated: “Peanuts should be introduced at 4 to 6 months of age in infants at high risk for allergy and at around 6 months of age in other infants. For infants with peanut allergy, early immunotherapy is safer and more effective.”

Why the Old Advice Changed

For years, parents were told to keep peanuts away from young children, above all those with eczema or a family history of food allergy — the two main markers used to identify high-risk infants. But research over the past decade has steadily undermined that position.

The science now points in the opposite direction. Exposure, done carefully and at the right age, appears to train the immune system rather than trigger it. Delaying introduction, the evidence suggests, may actually increase the chance of a child developing an allergy.

Who Counts as High Risk?

Infants are generally considered high risk if they have severe eczema, an existing egg allergy, or a close family member with a peanut allergy. Parents who are unsure whether their baby falls into this category should speak to their GP or health visitor before introducing peanuts at home.

Do not attempt early introduction without medical advice if your child has already shown signs of an allergic reaction to any food. In an emergency, call 999. For non-urgent concerns, NHS 111 is available around the clock.

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Key Takeaways

• The New England Journal of Medicine advises introducing peanuts to high-risk infants from four to six months of age
• For babies without elevated risk, introduction at around six months is recommended
• Early immunotherapy is considered safer and more effective for infants already diagnosed with peanut allergy

What This Means for Kent Residents

Parents across Kent with young babies — above all those born with eczema or into families with a history of food allergy — should raise this guidance with their GP or health visitor at the next routine appointment. Kent and Medway NHS services offer allergy referrals for infants showing early signs of sensitivity, and a GP can advise whether a supervised introduction or specialist assessment is appropriate before any peanuts are given at home. Anyone with immediate concerns about a child’s allergic reaction should call 999, while NHS 111 can provide guidance for non-emergency questions any time of day or night.