It is recommended that some women avoid peanuts during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

I am 5 months pregnant and only just found out that it is recommended that some pregnant women avoid eating peanuts. Apparently it is only peanuts we need to avoid, they consider other nuts safe.

I read lots of stuff on listeria but did not see anything on peanuts

According to the BabyCentre website the UK government recommends if you, you baby’s father or one of your previous children has had an allergic reaction to something you avoid peanuts during your pregnancy and while breastfeeding. Allergic reactions include eczema, asthma, hay fever and any allergic response to foods.

The theory is that by exposing your baby to peanuts during pregnancy you may increase their risk of your child developing a peanut allergy. At this stage it is only a theory but due to the increasing number of children with the allergy and the potential severity of the reaction they are recommending avoiding peanuts during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

Full details of the article can be found at; http://www.babycenter.com.au/pregnancy/nutrition/foodsafety/peanutsexpert/

Both my husband and I get hay fever and my brother had an A4 page of food allergies as a child. Ironically he was allergic to all nuts except peanuts. So now I am regretting the peanuts I ate on Friday and the occasional peanut paste sandwich I have had in the past few months.