Interesting - NIH says feed your babies peanuts early

[pdq]

...to prevent peanut allergies.

Not actually peanuts, maybe watered-down peanut butter or puffs containing peanut ingredients to nosh on. As early as 6 moths, and for some, 4.

I'm past that stage of parenting, but am excited to be anticipating the first grandchild this summer. Based on what we seem to be learning about allergies, I think when no one is looking, I'll just roll him/her in the dirt.

[numbered]

Boy the dirt thing seems more true than ever.

Or get a dog.

[vicrock]

Isn't anyone else amazed that NO ONE was allergic to peanut butter in the 50s and 60s? Does anyone else who was a child during that time remember anyone at school with a peanut butter allergy?

[Racer X]

Nope. Never knew anyone growing up in the 60s-80s with a peanut allergy. Only a few with asthma.

More kids need to go to camp with animals, and eat dirt.

[Paul F.]

Absolutely... there has been an ENORMOUS increase in peanut allergies since then.
Of course, it was ALSO true that anyone with a peanut allergy back then typically died from it before anyone figured out what they were allergic to, so you didn't know anyone that was allergic to peanuts because they died before you got to know them... and cause of death was " fuck, we don't know... he just swelled up and died!".

vicrock wrote:
Isn't anyone else amazed that NO ONE was allergic to peanut butter in the 50s and 60s? Does anyone else who was a child during that time remember anyone at school with a peanut butter allergy?

[Lew Zealand]

numbered wrote:
Boy the dirt thing seems more true than ever.

Or get a dog.

While the dirt thing is true, it has to be *farm* dirt and not dirt farm dirt, but animal farm dirt. It's the exposure to all the wonderful things that animal husbandry is associated with which gets you that early immunity to the annoyances of modern "clean" city living.

[OWC Jamie]

"clean" city living with all the rats, cockaroaches and bed bugs.
Then there's all the vermin and insects.

[Surfrider]

The lack of peanut related illnesses in the 50's & 60's may have something to do with how they package food now.

Canned foods were popular before, maybe the heat of canning killed whatever peanut jazz was in the machine when they packaged it.

I dunno.

My kids grew up in the woods, seemed to help. Except my daughter who picked up "regular" allergies from me.

[OWC Jamie]

Our diets have changed quite a bit in three generations.
We're also living a bit longer likely because of slightly safer food. Missing a few things because it is "safer" and more nutritious.

[hal]

The only person I know with peanut allergy is about 63 so she certain had it in the 60s in school and she was a farm girl early in life. That's one data point, I know...