I’ve gotta get this off my chest ‘cuz it’s been driving me crazy. I LOVE PEANUT BUTTER. Love it love it love it. BUT! Every time I eat it, I have a mental crisis.
I ALWAYS end up eating it in front of the computer, as I search the same dang articles and message boards for answers to the annoying question: is it okay to eat peanut butter while breastfeeding? I HATE THIS QUESTION.
I hate that question. Mostly because THERE IS NO CLEAR ANSWER. And, also because I’m never satisfied with my internet search until I find some adamant statement like “IF YOU EAT PEANUT BUTTER WHILE PREGNANT OR NURSING YOU WILL GIVE YOUR CHILD ALLERGIES STOPPIT OH SORRY TOO LATE YOU’RE ALREADY EATING IT RIGHT AT THIS VERY MOMENT SO YOU ARE DOOMED BUT CLICK ON THIS FOR MORE ARTICLES ON HOW DOOMED YOU ARE.” And, then I get mad at myself.
There are no peanut allergies in my family. In fact, we have no serious allergies at all — ‘cept fake one’s like so-and-so’s sudden allergy to MY CATS (no, we are not getting rid of them!)….
Also, my pediatrician said it was fine for me to enjoy peanuts now, as did my obstetrician, as does my Josh-O (every day when I ask him), my mom, the wonderful people at Motherisk (who think the whole issue is “ridiculous” and MOOOOOT*), my mail carrier, the girl at the drugstore, the construction worker down the street, Ali (my anxiety go-to-girl).
Still, I can’t seem to enjoy it without being a little bit anxious. Same thing happened with the monkey. I ate peanut butter while pregnant and nursing then, too. And, little miss monkey’s, thankfully, completely allergy free. So I figure I should just do everything the same this time around. No freaking biggie already, right? Right. Putting the issue to rest now.
But, I’m quitting peanut butter AS OF RIGHT NOW ‘cuz it’s making me fat.
*I love the word “moot.”
Monkey: Mommy? Is this Dora?
Me: No, honey. It’s a mushroom.
Want Gossip? Check it — at CHEATY’S CELEBRITY GOSSIP!
P.S.: I would LOVE to respond to all your comments and emails. My time, as you might guess, is SO limited right now ‘cuz of the newbie. I’m having an IMPOSSIBLE time keeping up with everything. (Boo.) So, in general, thank you so much for all your comments and emails. I will get back to you eventually! Please keep them coming! I really appreciate it.
Zoey Castelino said, November 12th, 2007 at 3:58 am
I never liked peanut butter… but I love peanut butter cups. Go figure.
SciFi Dad said, November 12th, 2007 at 7:48 am
You know what? I can kind of see how she would get the two confused. I don’t know whether that’s a good thing or a bad thing.
(And MTM ate peanut butter while nursing and there are nut allergies – not to mention nuts – on her side of the family.)
multi-tasking mommy said, November 12th, 2007 at 8:16 am
mmmm….peanut butter! I’m with ya–love it!
I limited it during pregnancy, but once I was nursing, I think I had it on toast at least 5 morning a week! LOVED it!!! I know what you mean though, in the back of my head, I was always thinking….
Laural Dawn said, November 12th, 2007 at 8:28 am
I never ever thought about peanuts while nursing. I didn’t give them to Matt till he was older, but I ate peanut butter while pregnant and nursing (not a lot, it’s just okay for me).
I think as long as you keep it away from the Rascal (if you are worried) it’s okay.
But, if it stresses you that much avoid it.
I do stuff like that – for instance I’m convinced that since pork has made me sick all this pregnancy the baby (in me) is allergic to pork. It’s stupid, but I can’t get past it. I don’t beat myself up if I have some, but in the back of my mind …
Jenifer G. said, November 12th, 2007 at 10:24 am
I love peanut butter! I eat it everyday although I didn’t eat it much while I was pregnant…didn’t eat much of anything really though.
I would go with what works for you.
Erin said, November 12th, 2007 at 10:24 am
I never liked peanut butter except when I was pregnant! Some sort of weird craving for peanut butter OR Tuna all the time. I think I have a protein issue while pregnant.
ANYWAY…my doctor told me if there wasn’t allergies in the family it was “unlikely but not impossible” that my child would have allergies. He told me that getting healthy calories into my body while nursing was more important than worry that a strawberry might make him sick or give him an allergy down the road. Both of my children are food allergy free.
However Ady never nursed well when I had green peppers. She hates green pepper in anything. She has the amazing ability to taste/smell/see the smallest piece of one. She has been a pepper hater since pregnancy. If I ate the smallest piece and managed to keep it down I would get heartburn for 2 days afterwards! I think it is more important to focus on what you can eat that keeps both you and the rascal happy. In the end isn’t it better you are reaching for the peanut butter rather than Halloween candy? Boy, I am chatty today:) ((HUGS))
ali said, November 12th, 2007 at 10:44 am
well, you obviously know my take on peanut butter while pregnant and nursing.
AND IT’S NOT FATTENING!!
it’s not even high in calories and it’s super healthy for you. especially the natural kind – skippy makes a good non-sugar-added one. it’s GREAT.
Kathryn said, November 12th, 2007 at 11:46 am
I asked my lactation consultant that same questions and she said it is perfectly fine to eat peanuts and peanut butter. Go for it!
ali said, November 12th, 2007 at 12:05 pm
maybe it’s just my personality-but i never worried about foods while pregnant or while nursing, don’t eat an excessive amount of anything and i think it will be fine. but that is just my personal opinion! besides peanut butter has protein!
Melissa R. Garrett said, November 12th, 2007 at 12:52 pm
I ate TONS of peanut butter with all three of my kids, and I eat TONS of peanut butter while boobing Bridget. No allergies here . . .
Renee said, November 12th, 2007 at 1:06 pm
THE OFFICAL LLL (retired) response: Peanut Butter while nursing is completely safe!!! Especially if there are NO family allergies.
I warned mothers that if there was a family history of a food allergy that they may want to keep a food alergy diary (ie. write down possible allergin ingestion w/ time and keep track of any possible reaction baby might have) but unless you notice Rascal in any kind of distress (extra fussy, having trouble with stools or a rash) don’t worry about it and eat all the peanuts you want.
See the thing is, your milk is made from your blood…not the food you eat. Your entire body is a HUGE filter that will help protect your baby from most anything that you eat. It is only babies that are born to families where there are lots of sensitivites to foods that are at risk.
Hugs! Go have a PBJ sammy!
Rebecca said, November 12th, 2007 at 2:23 pm
If there is no family history of peanut butter, then I really wouldn’t worry. And I worry about EVERYTHING, really. But I trust Motherrisk VERY much, and if they say not to, then don’t.
(but if it makes you feel better not to eat peanut butter then hey, no one is making you eat it!)
sarah said, November 12th, 2007 at 2:38 pm
So, my SIL never ate any peanut product while pregnant or nursing, her now 11 and 15 yr old boys have peanut allergies (oh and her 18 yr old girl has allergy to eggs). SIL has no allergies, dad only has ashsma.
For me, I ate a bagel with peanut butter almost every morning at work when I was pregnant. I also ate peanut butter while bf’ing. I have not allergies in my family, nor does my husband (well except he’s allergic to cats .. I know .. sorry..)..
so, I wouldn’t be worried AT ALL. And it is healthy and not fattening in moderation!
Nadine said, November 12th, 2007 at 3:37 pm
I have been eating peanuts and peanut butter during this pregnancy. Never realized I could harm my baby!
denguy said, November 12th, 2007 at 5:06 pm
Dora’s head does look mushroom-ish.
Are there any adults with an allergy to peanut butter? I don’t know a single one.
Amreen said, November 12th, 2007 at 6:03 pm
i share your love of peanut butter and eat it every day – preferable on Eggo fiber-plus waffles with a touch of raspberry jam or a sprinkle of flax seed. I couldn’t eat it during my first trimester (when all i could eat was potato chips and eggs. gross, i know, as is the 15 pounds i got while eating junk for 3 mos) and it felt like something was missing from my life.
beth said, November 12th, 2007 at 9:51 pm
I love the things Monkey says! The mushroom question was practically genius. And go ahead and eat pb. A tablespoon a day really won’t kill you. Peanut butter is probably the best food invented!
Urban Daddy said, November 12th, 2007 at 9:52 pm
Don’t forget your neighbour said peanut butter is a fabulous food and there are many benefits that go hand-in-hand with the fat that eating it 3 meals plus 2 snacks a day with nutella on a twister may make you fat.
P.S. It’s IS Dora…
b*babbler said, November 12th, 2007 at 11:28 pm
My mother-in-law is seriously driving me bananas about the peanut butter thing (get that? bananas and peanut butter? Ah, but I digress…)
Our paediatrician even said it was okay if we wanted to try Peanut on it (get that? Peanut, peanut butter? Alright… I must be stopped!) because she hadn’t shown any other allergies, but my mother-in-law freaked and told me all about how the pharmacist that lives next door to them didn’t start *their* daughters on it until they were 3 or 4. Gah!
Tug said, November 12th, 2007 at 11:36 pm
Hales, I just have to say this: STOP. Please remember I was pregnant 100 years ago, BUT. I had a BEER. I ATE FISH. I ATE PEANUT BUTTER. My daughter was born VERY healthy. NO allergies, NO problems. Seriously, this stuff is getting so beyond……….
and yes, it was ONE beer. My whole pregnancy. I wasn’t stupid.
Karen said, November 12th, 2007 at 11:42 pm
I love peanut butter, and I know scientifically it shouldn’t affect baby, but no matter, I did stay away from it for about the first year after I nursed both babies. We don’t have major allergies in the family though, so I don’t think I needed to do that. But I’m just one of those people who always says… It figures, so I refrained just because.
I can’t believe you’re blogging so reguarly, don’t you worry about the comment/email thing. We know we’re in your heart
Heather said, November 13th, 2007 at 10:30 am
Ever tried peanut butter and ice cream ? Delicious ! I haven’t had it in a long time and last night for the first time in many, many months I wore my skinny jeans. Coincidence ?
Teena in Toronto said, November 14th, 2007 at 11:13 pm
I hate peanut butter but freakin’ ADORE peanut butter cookies!
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