FA Momma's In Here(HELP!)

[Teresa64]

Ok. I just want to be totally sure on this. I am going to look at labels.

I have a drop-in child today that I have never had before. She called me out of the blue yesterday. Failed to mention that he is allergic to dairy until this morning when she dropped him off. Nice.

I have no rice milk so I guess he is stuck with juice and water today. (she said he can have that)

I have him for lunch and snack today. Fruit snacks for snack today(she brought some)

Lunch I am not sure on yet. The bread I have has milk in it. (I didn't realize how much stuff has dairy in it until I started searching my cupboards this morning.)

I was thinking Chicken Nuggets (tyson thats safe right???) Steamed broccoli (microwavable bags)and mixed fruit(canned)

Also I have no sippy cups that have not had milk in them at some point. Whats the safest way to wash them for him? I am taking no chances with this.

She said so far only his lips have swelled when he has dairy and benadryl takes care of it(said she brought some but I looked and she didn't...but I have some)

Any other tips?

argggg...I really hate it when I am left in the lurch like this. (but I guess this is the price I pay for taking drop-ins occasionally.)

[Teresa64]

Darn it. I just realized that the other kids are not going to be able to keep their sippy cups with them today and they are used to doing that.

I wish I had rice milk. :(

[KatieLou]

Read every label. Every single one.

I am surprised that the mom did not offer to bring his food. Is dairy his only allergy?

I do not know about the nuggets, just read the labels. If it has dairy in it it has to state so in the ingredient list.

Fruit, and veggies are a good way to go. Keep in mind most lunch meats are binded with dairy. Hormel Natural Choice turkey and ham are safe though.

[Teresa64]

Yes, he is only allergic to dairy. I didn't realize how difficult this was! So much respect for you and everyone else whom this is normal daily life!!!

Chicken was ok. So lunch was a success. Thanks!

I am honestly a little annoyed that she didn't tell me this ahead of time so I had time to prepare. She kind of acted like it was no big deal. "oh by the way he is allergic to all dairy."

Or like you said bring his own food. I don't mind feeding him but was kind of caught off-guard with this.

[married_bears]

Ok. I just want to be totally sure on this. I am going to look at labels.

I have a drop-in child today that I have never had before. She called me out of the blue yesterday. Failed to mention that he is allergic to dairy until this morning when she dropped him off. Nice.

I have no rice milk so I guess he is stuck with juice and water today. (she said he can have that)

I have him for lunch and snack today. Fruit snacks for snack today(she brought some)

Lunch I am not sure on yet. The bread I have has milk in it. (I didn't realize how much stuff has dairy in it until I started searching my cupboards this morning.)

I was thinking Chicken Nuggets (tyson thats safe right???) Steamed broccoli (microwavable bags)and mixed fruit(canned)

Also I have no sippy cups that have not had milk in them at some point. Whats the safest way to wash them for him? I am taking no chances with this.

She said so far only his lips have swelled when he has dairy and benadryl takes care of it(said she brought some but I looked and she didn't...but I have some)

Any other tips?

argggg...I really hate it when I am left in the lurch like this. (but I guess this is the price I pay for taking drop-ins occasionally.)


Oh my gosh I can't believe she left you with so little instruction. Did she give you an Epi Pen do you know how to use it. Tyson chicken is fine, but make sure to check the label. With sippy cups a good cleaning with hot soapy water should be fine, but if you want run it through the dish washer. Do a visible check as milk can be rather adhesive if left for a long period. Soy milk is also an acceptable alternative.

When in doubt read the labels. Dairy even in casin or whey form is labeled as dairy so there is no question.

It really is not as difficult as it may seem, but thrust into the position of caring for a food allergy child. I do it everyday with a child that is allergic to dairy, eggs, nuts and green bean it is only intimidating in the beginning.

[KerryS]

Yes, he is only allergic to dairy. I didn't realize how difficult this was! So much respect for you and everyone else whom this is normal daily life!!!

Chicken was ok. So lunch was a success. Thanks!

I am honestly a little annoyed that she didn't tell me this ahead of time so I had time to prepare. She kind of acted like it was no big deal. "oh by the way he is allergic to all dairy."

Or like you said bring his own food. I don't mind feeding him but was kind of caught off-guard with this.


Wow, I'd be really annoyed too! Especially about saying she included benadryl when she really didn't. Did you have her sign anything giving her permission for you to administer medication if necessary? If a previous exposure caused swollen lips, I'd be concerned about anaphylaxis and would not take care of the child unless I had an Epi-Pen on hand and permission to use it.

[Psyche]

HIS LIPS SWELL AND BENADRYL TAKES CARE OF IT?????? /screech

She needs to get him an epi pen.

[married_bears]

Yes, he is only allergic to dairy. I didn't realize how difficult this was! So much respect for you and everyone else whom this is normal daily life!!!

Chicken was ok. So lunch was a success. Thanks!

I am honestly a little annoyed that she didn't tell me this ahead of time so I had time to prepare. She kind of acted like it was no big deal. "oh by the way he is allergic to all dairy."


If it is a true allergy and not an intolerance it is a huge deal. I would inform her that you take food allergies very seriously and that you need more notice to accomodate his needs as well as you require her to supply benydryl, an epi pen (with instruction on proper use), and her contact information as well as physician.

[Psyche]

If it is a true allergy and not an intolerance it is a huge deal. I would inform her that you take food allergies very seriously and that you need more notice to accomodate his needs as well as you require her to supply benydryl, an epi pen (with instruction on proper use), and her contact information as well as physician.

Strictly from a CYA sort of thing I couldn't agree more.

[Babyblue]

HIS LIPS SWELL AND BENADRYL TAKES CARE OF IT?????? /screech

She needs to get him an epi pen.


dh's tounge will swell if he eats enough gluten, and he has been refused an epi pen by several different drs, because so many consider celiac to be just a diatary thing.

[MiMi_of_4]

I consider it as a HUGE deal, so I agree with the others. I can't imagine dropping our dgd off somewhere and assuming someone else knew the proper precautions to take AND what to do in case of emergency.

[married_bears]

It would not hurt to have a permission to treat form for this child.

Unfortunately, there are either two extremes of a FA mom (personally I strive for the middle ground with a balance of safety and freedom). Mom is either casual thinking nothing will ever happen really bad and is unprepared when it does leading to the possible death of the child or the hoverer afraid to let the child experience life. Your mom needs to be prepared and vigilant as her child experiences life giving others as much information to help protect the child as well as how to treat the child.

It is not a matter of IF an anaphylactic reaction will happen, but WHEN.

[KatieLou]

Ugh! I hate to hear this! Hate it. Sounds like she is not very informed on FA's herself. I would have some ground rules set about this sort of thing. Either she brings his food, or teaches you how to properly prepare food for him. Ask her to teach you the use of the epi pen, if she has one, and if she does not I would gentley suggest that she look into getting one.

I would not be at all comfortable keeping a FA child if I were not informed on how to keep him safe. That is NOT your fault, I would just tell her if she needs you to keep him, you want to be informed first. For the safety of her child.

[Teresa64]

Oh my. Sorry didn't mean to run off.

Ok, yes I have a permission to treat. I have one on every child that comes into my home.

No eppi pen. Not sure why. This is a drop in child. I will only have him today. I have an ad up online for my daycare because I have one full-time opening. Her regular daycare is closed today and she only needs care today.

I honestly do not know her, this is the first time I met her. She called yesterday asked if I took drops in's and set up to bring her son today.

Yes, this is the first time I have had to deal with allergies. I do not know a lot about them. I have heard KatieLou talk about her children and red flags went up so thank you. I may have not been concerned had not been for this board.
You guys are truely wonderful for being so concerned!

[_Gypsy_]

Her casualness about this is really disturbing.

If he isn't contact reactive and his reaction was mild (lip swelling is NOT mild) AND she brought all of his food I could see doing what she did.

That's not the case though! (well, I don't know if he is contact reactive, but the other two don't apply!).

I'd make a point to remember her name and if she ever calls again tell her that you will need her to bring all of his food and an epi-pen before agreeing to take him.

[HammBugga]

Make sure anything you give him doesn't have Whey in it.

[Teresa64]

Whey? Would that be listed as an ingrediant?

Well, either way I shouldn't have to feed him anymore today. We just got done with snack and he ate the fruit snacks that she brought. So I should be ok now.

[married_bears]

Whey will typically have (dairy) in parentheses next to the item or at the bottom of the ingredients list in bold lettering. You would do will just to familiarize yourself with an ingredient list just for the sake of knowing how to read one for FA if you ever had to especially being a child care provide. I appreciate you taking extra special precaution with this child !!!

[Teresa64]

Oh ok good. Yes it would be a good idea for me to become more knowledgable about what to look out for with FA in children. I know some, but honestly most of what I learned came from here.

Thanks for everyones help today! He is really a sweet kid(minus the very obvious 2 year old tantrums :) ) I would absolutely love to watch him again. I worry about the mom though. At least I would have a little heads up if there ever is a next time!