A study published in the April 4th issue of The Journal of the American Medical Association shows that two major types of peanut protein can be found in the breast milk of lactating women within 2 to 6 hours after the women had consumed peanuts. Exposure to these proteins can lead to potentially life-threatening food allergies in children. The study points out that not all children who are exposed to peanut proteins will develop food allergies, but it is a risk factor involved. Before this study, it was suggested that women avoid feeding peanut-containing products to their children until age 3. With these recent findings, it is clear that peanut protein can pass from the mothers diet into the breast milk.
Extreme cases can cause a throat-swelling reaction called anaphylaxis.
This can cause difficulty in breathing and a dangerous drop in blood pressure. Milder allergic reactions can cause itchy skin or hives. Typically, people who will have reactions to peanuts will have the reaction with their first known exposure, but they must have first had some previous hidden exposure, such as through breast milk. Protein levels in their breast milk were measured hourly. Other women in the study showed amounts that were below a detectable level.