Peanut butter

[nannyl]

I have history of multiple allergies / intolerances.

and have suffered from asthma, eczma and hayfever.

Im assuning I cant have peanut butter?
I just really really want some on toast

My doctor told me there is no reason to avoid peanuts in pregnancy - I have eczema and asthma in my family too and have been eating nuts as normal.

Food Standards Agency link here

I believe the advice on peanut butter has fairly recently changed. Well, in the past 3 years anyway. I followed advice to avoid peanuts when I was pregnant and breastfeeding with DS 3 years ago because DH's family has a history of peanut allergies. However, I believe 'they' now say it doesn't matter. I am certain that in Asian countries where peanuts form a greater part of their diet, they have fewer incidences of peanut allergies.

I am now pregnant with DC2 and happily chomping away on peanut butter sandwiches. I felt so sick for ages, in fact, that ALL I had for weeks was peanut butter sandwiches.

Ah, JP - you found the link I was looking for!!

Enjoy your peanut butter on toast, Nannyl!!

I've been told that the current advice is that peanuts are now safe to eat in pg and its thought that a lack of exposure is more likely to cause allergies so would possibly be recommended that you do have nuts rather than avoiding. I was told this by my then pg sister, have not spoken to a MW or anyone about it.

I know its only anecdotal but of my 3 dc it was only with ds2 that I avoided eating nuts (was new advice then) and he is the only one to have any sort of allergy (eczema)!

not an expert, and am hoping someone comes along who knows more about this (you could also try posting on the allergies board. they've always been v helpful to me :)

but...

i THINK opinion is split unless you have severe allergies?? (apologies if i'm wrong)

i've always had eczema, and asthma is fairly rife in extended family

with my first pregnancy, i avoided all sources of peanuts (including at a thai meal :( )
DC1 has had pretty bad eczema, although it's under control now (23 mo)

with second pregnancy, i had the odd bit of peanut butter
DC2 possibly has a bit of eczema.... but he's only 3 months old, so still young... but DC1 had definitely shown more sign of it by now

only anecdotal, sorry! so possibly not too helpful..

ah! x-posted with lots of people who know more than me!!

NannyL - I was on the ttc bus top thread with you. I am now 14 weeks with DC£. Got pg as soon as we tried. When are you due? Congrats btw.

As others have said the advice has changed and it is only if the mother has an allergy - whichi s kind of obvious even if you weren't pg.

eglu

got pg at 1st try too... am now 4 1/2 weeks pg

looking forward to some peanut butter on toast

I have food allergies and immune issues too. My consultant immunologist advised me to eat all common allergens so that my baby's immune system saw them as "normal". He advised introducing allergens earlier in weaning than normal too.

Actually my allergies are totally under control in my pregnancy (now 27 weeks). I can have milk (usually gives me an instant asthma attack) can have sulphites (normally gives me rash/swelling and occasionally anaphylaxis).

Apparently the pregnancy hormones mimic a low dose of steroids. Hence pregnant women are slightly immuno-compromised and recommended to have the flu jab etc.

My mother, a qualified midwife since 1972, says peanut allergies became common since they stopped using peanut oil in hospital as a moisturiser on new born babies. It's often the absence of exposure to allergens in childhood and then exposure later on that creates an abormal immune response.

If you're at all worried ask for a referral to an NHS allergy clinic or immunologist if you don't already have one.

Very happy for you nannyl, as if I remember rightly you have plans for certain age gaps etc.

Enjoy your peanut butter on toast. Personally can't stand the stuff

lol

yup planned at september 2011 and fingers crossed a feb - april 2013

maybe a feb - april 2015 too

Fantastic! I hope it all goes to plan for you.