How to Prevent Peanut Allergies in Babies: What Parents Need to Know About Early Allergen Introduction

Have you stared at a jar of peanut butter wondering if giving it to your baby is safe—or if you might end up in the ER? The idea of introducing allergenic foods to a baby can feel terrifying, but the latest research actually says: do it, and do it early. Here’s why—and how to make it a little less scary.

This shift in thinking comes from the landmark LEAP Study (Learning Early About Peanut Allergy). The study showed that children who were introduced to peanut products early in infancy and ate them regularly were over 80% less likely to develop a peanut allergy.

That’s a big deal. And it inspired one mom, Catherine Jaxon, to turn her family’s personal experience with food allergies into a solution for others.

From Scare to Startup: Why Mission MightyMe Was Born

After her daughter had a scary allergic reaction, Catherine learned the truth: avoiding peanuts hadn’t protected her—it might’ve actually made things worse. So she teamed up with the researcher behind the LEAP study and created Mission MightyMe—nut butter puffs made for babies and toddlers to help parents introduce allergens early, easily, and without the stress.

Making Early Introduction Easier for Parents

Knowing what to do is one thing. Feeling confident doing it is another. I see parents hesitate all the time—some even bring peanut butter to the pediatrician’s office just to try it in a “safer” setting - and that's fine!

Mission MightyMe’s snacks remove some of that fear factor. They dissolve easily, and provide the right dose of nut protein identified from the LEAP study, and are free of unnecessary ingredients like cane sugar, palm oil, or corn. And for babies who don’t love puffs? There are tips for mixing them into yogurt, applesauce, or other soft foods to keep exposure going in a developmentally appropriate way.

So… When Should You Start?

For most babies, allergenic foods like peanut and egg can be introduced between 4 and 6 months of age—once they’ve started solids and are developmentally ready. If your child has severe eczema or a known egg allergy, talk to your pediatrician first. But for the majority of babies, early introduction is not just safe—it’s a powerful form of prevention.

There’s no one-size-fits-all, but the LEAP study followed children until age five—and they still weren’t allergic. Later research has shown that many of those kids remained allergy-free into their teen years. That’s the long-term protection every parent hopes for.

Want to Try Them?

Mission MightyMe's Nutty Puffs are available at missionmightyme.com and you can use code DRHUNTER for 15% of your purchase or 30% off a subscription. They're also available at Amazon, Thrive Market (Thrive discount code DRWENDY), Target and Sprouts. 

If you're starting solids and feeling anxious about food allergies, you're not alone. But you do have options. And prevention might be closer - and simpler - than you think.

To hear the full story of Mission MightyMe and how to introduce nut proteins to your child, listen to the podcast episode - the link is at the bottom of this page.