It's a choking hazard because its hard to swallow and you cant really really chew it. Also peanut allergies are very common now. Be careful!

Peanut butter is a "meat" and babies digestive system cannot handle it. Babies should not have meat products before they are 2 years old. They can also choke on it as they are not able to move it around in their mouth... much like a dog that eats peanut butter.. they can't get it off the roof of their mouth and throat.

There is also a chance of a peanut allergy. I had a kid in daycare who had an almost fatal reaction to a tiny piece of a peanut butter sandwich. He still has to carry an epipen in case he is somehow exposed to peant butter, even on his skin.

There are several unsafe foods for infants. Peanut butter is potentially unsafe as it can stick to their palate or pharnyx. However, when spread thinly on a cracker it is very safe. Honey is a big No-No as it is the only food linked to infant botulism. Never give a baby less than a year old honey. Meat is okay as long as it is pureed or thinly sliced, such as hot dogs. A further precaution would be to peel any meats with skins, such as chicken or hot dogs.

Babies may be allergic to some foods, especially if there’s a family history of allergies. So you can keep your baby happy and healthy by avoiding certain foods until after the first birthday. These foods include cow’s milk, honey, berries, egg whites, corn, legumes, chocolate, nuts, peanut butter, wheat (until 8 months), fish, seafood, and citrus fruits and juices. If there is a strong family history of allergies, check with your baby’s doctor for further recommendations. In addition, because children up to 5 years old are quite apt to choke on certain foods, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends avoiding large chunks of food and round foods that may lodge in a child’s throat (such as meat sticks, hot dogs, carrot sticks, celery sticks, whole grapes, cherry tomatoes, and hard candies). http://www.verybestbaby.com/ExpertQA/Topic.aspx?topicid=ADD81510-BB4C-4D85-9161-AB9B69CB53F2#34f882de-5d10-4e72-8e98-57e8feecdd43

Potential allergies...same reason you shouln't give them orange juice so young. Potential choking hazard...same reason you shouldn't give them nuts or stringy foods or chewy meats. It's just one of those foods that for one reason or another babies really can't handle that well...most are kind of common sense ones, like nuts or meats, but that one is a little trickier.

ACTUALLY ITS THREE YEARS OLD AND ITS BECAUSE THERE MAY BE AN ALLERGY ALSO CHANCE OF THEM CHOKING

Children shouldn't have peanut butter or anything nut-relateded until they are two or three, or so I've heard. It might be because peanut butter is sticky/gummy, and a child- especially babies can choke on it very easily. There are also high allergy issues. It goes for fish, seafood... But that's just what I heard, having a soon-to-be three year old brother.

Like others have said, Peanut Butter is a problem for 2 reasons. The risk of Allergy, and the risk of choking. In most cases, a peanut allergy is severe, resulting in an anphylactic reaction, that causes the throat to swell, making it difficult to breath. The current recommendations are that whole peanuts and peanut butter should not be given until age 5, when children have all of their teeth, and are able to chew their food properly. It is also recommended that in situations where a food allergy is likely, introduction of a possible allergen should be delayed as long as possible, as the earlier it is introduced, the more likely it is to cause a reaction. Many parents introduce peanut butter and similar foods before the age of 5, without a problem, and it is a decision that needs to be made based on a child's individual circumstances, but I would hesitate to give a child under the age of 2, Peanut Butter, because of the risk of choking.

I am in junior high and I feed my baby creamy peanut butter and it helps her fall asleep.so I think its ok

For some reason, food allergies are on the rise. Peanut allergies are at the top of the list, not because they are the most common (allergies to milk and eggs are more common), but because they can be fatal. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, if you or anyone in your child's family has a food allergy or allergic type disorder such as asthma or eczema, then you should wait until your child is 3 years old to give them peanut butter. Otherwise, you can try peanut butter in small amounts after 12 months of age. Peanut butter can be hard to swallow, though, so don't give it by the spoonful, as that can be a choking hazard. Peanuts themselves are a choking hazard as well, and should not be given to any child under 3. Definitely check with your doctor to get his opinion on this matter. But no matter what you decide, always know the signs of an allergic reaction, and seek IMMEDIATE medical attention if you note any of the following: Hives Difficulty breathing Swelling of the mouth, tongue, or throat Loss of consciousness

First, I would like to answer the question as to why you shouldn't give your child peanut butter as an infant. There are really two reasons: 1. It can create a choking hazard for small children. 2. Food allergies are very serious and can be quite fatal, even with a very small amount of food. Nut allergies seem to be even more fatal than any other kind of food allergy there is. Doctors believe that this might be because the immune system recognizes the protein in peanuts quicker than any other food. But where other foods normally cause skin irritation, stomach cramping, itchy eyes, runny nose, lightheadedness, and/or nausea nut reactions can cause anaphylaxis on TOP of the other symptoms. Anaphylaxis causes airway constriction and a dangerous drop in blood pressure. Most people with nut allergies need to carry an epinephrine auto-injector (or epipen) for serious reactions. If your child is diagnosed with a nut allergy, it's a good idea to check labels on ALL products that come into your home in the event of cross-contamination at the packaging plants or processing plants. Labels to keep an eye out for include: "May contain nuts," "Produced on shared equipment with nuts and/or peanuts," and "Produced in facility that also processes nuts and/or peanuts." Food allergies tend to run in families as well. So if you or someone in your immediate family has a food allergy, it's a good idea to have your child tested before introducing them to that kind of food. On a side note, I noticed where someone mentioned that peanuts are a meat and/or are in the meat family. This is entirely inaccurate. Peanuts are neither a meat, nor are they in the meat family. Peanuts aren't even actually a true "nut." They are in the legume family, as are lentils and peas. They are classified in the "protein family" not "meats." There is a huge difference. Many foods that are not meats are a great source of protein, and it's very misleading to inform someone otherwise.

Incase they choke

If they dont have a negative reaction, then yes, they can have peanut butter, if they have a negative reaction then no, they cannot have peanut butter. Come on people, what did our mothers do? My daughter is 9 months old and loves peanutbutter crackers. I even give her milk to wash it down with....*gasp* what was I thinking??

Babies should stay away from all peanuts because it is such a violent allergy, that you want to keep them away from it as long as possible. In addition, babies can't have HONEY before 12 months.