Tips for Parents of Children with Food Allergies

Are you the parent of a child who suffers with food allergies? If you are, you may be looking for some helpful tips to cope with your child’s medical condition.

One of the first things that you will want to do is talk to your child about their food allergy. This is most important to do with preschoolers and young elementary school aged children. It is common for this age group to switch snacks or share snacks with their friends or classmates, but it isn’t always safe to do so. The younger that you have this conversation with your child, the better it will be. For small children, be sure to discus your child’s food allergy with them more than once. For older children and teenagers, teach them how they can read food labels themselves.

In addition to talking to your child, be sure to talk to anyone and everyone that comes into contact with your child. This includes teachers, school nurses, daycare providers, relatives, and parents of friends. A large number of food reactions happen outside of the home when a parent is not present. If you are sending your child to visit family or a friend, it may be a wise idea to send your own bag of safe, approved snacks.

As for feeding a child with food allergies at home, it is important to read all labels. Some foods, even those that may not contain nuts or wheat, may still have a warning stating that these products may be found in the food. If so, it is best to stay away. It is also important that you read the labels of foods that your child will eat every time. To some parents this may seem like a waste of time, but manufacturers are known to change their recipes and the ingredients that they use. For that reason, it is better to be safe than sorry.

When eating away from home with your child, like at a fast food restaurant, a nice sit down resultant, deli, or bakery, it is always a good idea to ask questions first. This is most important to do at delis and bakeries. Are all foods made on the same spot? At a deli, is a different meat cutter used for meats and cheeses? They should be if your child has allergies to milk and other dairy products. Is there a chance that a certain food, like peanuts or wheat may have been used or even just casually made their way into other products?

It is also important that you know how to handle an allergic reaction to food. Be sure that those around you and your child know how to handle a food reaction as well. If your child is given medication to take in the event of an allergic reaction, make sure that medication is with you and your child at all times. At school or for daycare, give the medication to the school nurse or daycare provider. If your child is visiting friends or family, be sure to give the medication to the adult and let them know when it needs to be used, if at all.

If your child has an allergic reaction to something that they ate, it is important to determine right away if your child needs medical attention. Many parents like to seek medication attention for their kids even if it appears that they are okay. This is more than possible to do, especially if the food allergy is relatively new or if it is the first couple of times that you are dealing with an allergic reaction.

As you can see, there are a number of important tips that you must keep in mind and know if you are the parent of a child who suffers from a foods allergy, especially a peanut allergy. Since most allergic reactions happen when a parent is not around, be sure to keep all adults that have contact with your child well informed.

Air Travel Tips for Parents with Teens

Are you the parent of a teenager? If you are, are you in the process of planning a trip that requires air travel? If so, you may be looking for tips that can help you and you family have a nice and pleasant flight.

When traveling with a teenager, you will find that you are very lucky. This is due in part to your child’s age. Teenagers are likely to be more pleasant and cooperative on flights, especially when compared to toddlers and preschoolers. Still, you may be looking for some extra tips, just in case.

One of the first things that you will want to do is teach your child the importance of watching what is said at the airport. With security concerns, it is not uncommon for travelers to be detained for a closer look, even just when joking. Many teens do like to joke around, so be sure to let your teen know the danger of doing so. Make sure that they know not to repeat certain words in an airport, such as knife, gun, bomb, or terrorist. Your teenager may already know this important piece of information, bt there is no harm in providing a quick reminder.

If you let your child pack their own bags for your trip, be sure to give them a quick look over. The checking of your teen’s carry-on luggage is extremely important. Does your child have anything in their carry-on bag that may result your family being stopped at an airport security checkpoint? As for checked baggage, make sure that your child’s bags are not overfilled. Also, make sure that they don’t put anything of great value or importance, like a digital camera or a laptop computer, in a checked bag, as damage can occur.

You will also want to make sure that your child has a drink or snack for the trip. This is particularly ideal for short flights or picky eaters and drinkers. Although many dry snacks, like chips, are okay to pickup before arriving at the airport, drinks are another story. Due to a limit on liquids, have your child get a soda, water, or juice at an airport store, namely one that is positioned after you have passed through all needed security checkpoints. This approach may cost more money, but the end result is much less hassle.

Since all passengers are allowed a carry-on bag, you will want to make sure that your child brings things that interest them. For example, books and magazines are cheap ways to keep teens occupied on an airplane ride. Extra items that are perfect for teens include handheld video gaming consoles, DVD players, and MP3 players. There are some locations in the United States where you can rent these items if you or your teen doesn’t already own them. When using anything electronic, be sure to bring a few extra batteries and keep them in your purse or in a carry-on bag.

As highlighted above, there are a number of steps that you, as a parent, can take to ensure that your next family flight is pleasant for you and your teenager. Although teenagers are more likely to be pleasant and cooperative, the above mentioned points can still provide you with much needed assistance, as well as comfort and peace of mind.

Tips for Parents of Children with Peanut Allergies

Are you the parent of a child who has a peanut allergy? If you are and if this is a first time experience for you, you may be looking for some guidance. After all, knowing that your child’s life is, literally, in your hands, can be overwhelming for many parents.

One of the first things that you will want to do, as a parent, is talk to your child about their peanut allergy. This is important to do as soon as your child can understand the concept of allergies and not eating certain foods. This time often occurs at the preschool level. You may need to talk to your child more than once, but it is important to let them know what could happen if they share food with friends or classmates. If your child is older or a teenager, you can teach them proactive steps, such as checking all food labels.

As important as it is to talk to your child about their peanut allergy, it is extremely important to talk to anyone who may come into contact with your child. These individuals include teachers, school nurses, family members, and parents of friends. You may be surprised to know that many food allergies, including allergic reactions to peanuts, happen when a parents is not present. That is why it is extremely important that all adults know about your child’s allergic reactions to peanuts. When your child leaves your home to visit friends or family, pack safe snacks for them to eat.

If you and your child are known for eating out, it is important that you ask as many questions as possible. You should do so at all eating establishments, but it is particularly important to do at a bakery. Are all baked goods made in the same spot, like on the same table? Even if not, are gloves changed? What are the chances that a peanut or peanut butter can make its ways into other foods? You should know before feeding your child anything that you did not prepare yourself.

Speaking of the foods that you do prepare yourself, be sure to read all food labels. When doing so, you may be surprised just how many products have warnings that claim that peanuts may be present. Even if they only “may,” be, you are still advised to proceed with caution and skip. Also, make sure that you always read labels, as food manufacturers are known for updating or changing their ingredients.

It is also important to know how to handle a reaction. There is a good chance that your child’s doctor will teach you the proper steps that you should take, which will likely include administering medicine to help your child breathe. It is also important to educate those around you too. Make sure that all relatives, parents of friends, and school teachers know what to do in the event of an allergic reaction to peanuts. If medication is provided by your doctor, which it should be, make sure the school has some and always carry the medication with you, like in your car or in your purse.

The above mentioned tips are just a few of the many tips that you will want to keep in mind, should your child have a peanut allergy. It is no secret that caring for a child with a peanut allergy can be difficult and stressful, as you really do need to watch every step that you and your child take. For that reason, there are a number helpful books out there for parents like yourself, as well as online message boards where support is provided, often by other parents just like you.