A fresh batch of peanut butter cookies is a difficult thing to keep away from a toddler. Whether hungry or not, your child is likely to grab a handful the second the plate hits the table. If your child is vomiting after eating peanut butter cookies, it may simply mean he ate too many. On the other hand, vomiting may indicate a deeper problem.
Overindulgence
The most likely reason your toddler is vomiting after eating peanut butter cookies is because he or she overindulged. Sweets and foods that are high in sugar, like peanut butter cookies, are difficult to digest. When your toddler eats more than he or she can handle, the stomach fills up quickly. If the cookies remain in the stomach, not moving through the digestive system, the only way to exit the body is through vomiting. Remind your child that cookies are a treat and not to be eaten in excess.
Allergies
Vomiting after eating peanut butter cookies can indicate a peanut allergy. Although most peanut allergies are diagnosed in children before the age of 2, a peanut allergy can develop at any age, according to March of Dimes. Vomiting and diarrhea are common symptoms of a peanut allergy, as are hives, tingling in the mouth and abdominal cramps. If any of these allergy symptoms arise after your toddler consumes peanut butter cookies, watch him or her closely. If you notice difficulty breathing and/or swelling of the mouth and throat, seek emergency medical care. These symptoms can indicate a life-threatening allergic reaction known as anaphylaxis.
In most cases, a peanut allergy lasts a lifetime, but March of Dimes notes that one in five children outgrow it.
Food Poisoning
In rare cases, a toddler who is vomiting after eating peanut butter cookies may have salmonella food poisoning. The first documented outbreak of salmonellosis from peanut butter occurred in 1996, according to the “Journal of Applied Microbiology”. Since then, a few more outbreaks have occurred. Michael Doyle, the director of the Center for Food Safety at the University of Georgia, notes that it is likely that the salmonella bacterium contaminates the peanut butter through exposure to animal feces. Although the heat from the oven may kill the salmonella in the cookies, fatty foods, like peanut butter, seem to protect the bacteria, Doyle states.
In addition to vomiting, other symptoms of salmonella food poisoning include diarrhea, fever, chills, abdominal cramps and muscle pain.
Considerations
If you are unsure about the cause of your toddler’s vomiting, contact your doctor. Although it is likely that the underlying cause is nothing serious, it is better to be safe than sorry. If vomiting is persistent, the most important thing to do is your child hydrated. Encourage your toddler to take small sips of water or a sports drink between episodes of nausea.
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