Managing 5 Common “Firsts” When Your Child Has a Food Allergy
From playdates to restaurants, here’s how to keep your child (and yourself!) safe and serene while navigating the new normal of food allergies.
No one can fully prepare for having a child diagnosed with a food allergy. Although it is an increasingly common experience, about 1 in 13 US children have a food allergy, according to the CDC—it can still feel like your family is the first to go through it. Even after you’ve done countless hours of research, there are a host of new “firsts” to go through, from the first time having a playdate with another child to the first holiday after the diagnosis.
Don’t despair! Remember that whenever you’re considering a new experience for your child, you can:
- Get advice and ask questions: Organizations that connect families can be great resources for shared advice and the latest research. Two excellent ones are FARE and Kids with Food Allergies. And when you’re unsure about an experience, don’t be shy about calling a restaurant, venue or caretaker and asking for information. Open-ended questions can help you gauge the level of food-allergy understanding you’re dealing with.
- Make a plan: Every child with a food allergy should have an emergency care plan in place that includes detailed instructions about which food(s) the child is allergic to and what to do if a reaction occurs.
- Keep it clean: Cleaning and sanitizing your child’s environment can help reduce the chances of cross-contact, as can frequent hand washing.
- Talk to your child: While it may be tempting to manage your child’s food allergy “behind the scenes,” especially with young children, organizations such as FARE recommend involving your child at an early age. You can begin by introducing a few concepts at a time such as “safe” food and “unsafe” food. Then help them understand they should only eat foods given to them by their trusted adults, such as parents, babysitters, or grandparents. And always, always teach your child to let the adult in charge know if they
feel sick. - Expect the unexpected: No one anticipates an emergency, so be prepared with your child’s prescribed epinephrine auto-injectors (EpiPens) and any other appropriate medication should your child be accidentally exposed to their allergen.
Keep them entertained: Toddlers have short attention spans and always want to be on the move, so if they are going to be confined in a car or plane, it's important to have plenty of entertainment options on hand. Pack a variety of toys, books, and games to keep them occupied during the trip. I’m also a big fan of downloading their favorite shows or games onto a tablet or phone for them to watch or play with the sound off or with toddler-friendly headphones.
Stick to their routine: Babies and toddlers thrive on routine, so try to keep their schedule as close to normal as possible. Once you’re settled, try to stick to their usual nap and mealtimes, and try to keep their bedtime routine consistent. A full and rested baby is usually so much more easy going!
