Peanut flour

Peanut flour is a fine powder, so it's a low choking risk once it's stirred well into a wet food, the way NIAID's feeding instructions prepare it. The CDC says to avoid sticky foods and spoonfuls of nut butter, and our suggestion is never to give peanut flour dry or by the spoonful, because dry powder can turn into a thick, sticky paste in the mouth. Mix it into a purée, porridge, sauce or batter, with no dry clumps. Stay with your child during meals.

Peanut is one of the most common food allergens. Offer peanut from around 6 months, once your baby has started solids, but not before 4 months, then keep it in their diet regularly. If your baby has severe eczema, an egg allergy, or has had an immediate allergic reaction to any food, talk to your pediatrician before giving peanut: guidelines recommend a check, sometimes with allergy testing, and early introduction (often around 4 to 6 months) matters most for these babies. Don't give the first peanut at home until your doctor has told you how. Babies with mild to moderate eczema can usually start peanut at home around 6 months. For most other babies, no testing is needed.

NIAID says most peanut flours and peanut butter powders are about half protein by weight, so 2 teaspoons (about 4 g) give about 2 g of peanut protein. Protein varies with fat content and brand (check the label), and NIAID says weighing is more accurate than measuring with teaspoons. The USDA FoodData Central record for one low-fat peanut flour lists less, about 34 g of protein per 100 g. Plain peanut flour has almost no sodium. It has some iron (about 4.7 mg per 100 g), but the small amounts babies eat give well under 1 mg.

Stir 2 teaspoons of peanut flour or peanut powder into about 2 tablespoons of a puréed fruit or vegetable your baby already eats, until there's no dry powder left. Offer a taste on the tip of a spoon, wait 10 minutes, and if there's no reaction, let your baby have the rest at their own pace.

Not quite, but NIAID's peanut guidelines say the two can be swapped for each other, because they have similar amounts of peanut protein. Either way, choose one with no added sugar or salt, and always mix it into a wet food.

If it's severe, your baby has an egg allergy, or your baby has had an immediate allergic reaction to any food, talk to your pediatrician before the first peanut. They may suggest allergy testing or a first taste in the office. With mild to moderate eczema, US guidelines say peanut can usually be introduced at home around 6 months. In the UK, talk to your GP or health visitor first if your baby has any eczema.

Trouble breathing, wheezing or a cough that won't stop; swelling of the tongue or throat, or lips or mouth that suddenly swell; a hoarse cry; hives spreading over the body; vomiting, especially again and again or with hives; or turning pale, floppy or very sleepy. If your baby has an epinephrine (adrenaline) auto-injector, use it first, then call your emergency number. If you don't have one, call straight away. Keep your baby lying down, never standing or walking: on their side if they're vomiting, with their head and shoulders a little raised if breathing is hard. Go to hospital even if they seem better.