The Milk and Egg Section
Avoiding Spilled Milk
Specific Tips
- Request water and fruit/vegetable snacks if possible. Added bonus: less mess and more nutritious.
- Firmly request a “no-sharing” policy. Our daughter decorated a plastic container as her treat “jar”, which holds single servings of safe candy and small toys. The problem was getting the teacher to remember if unsafe food was served. Let your child know he or she is helping the teacher by reminding her.
- Get the school behind: a hand-washing policy. Pupils with food allergies should wash their hands before eating and everyone should wash afterward. Problem: With limited time and few washrooms, my daughter had no time to eat her snacks. Solution? I now send wipes. We invented a two-Baggie technique: one is marked clean, and one dirty (use colour-coded stickers for JK/SK).
- Discuss the dairy-at-school issue with your allergist. Get that advice in writing. A note from a medical specialist will carry weight.
- Work with the teacher; act as a resource. When the principal asks about dairy issues, don’t get defensive. Sometimes he or she just needs more information to help explain to other parents.
- Join the parent council; volunteer for events. You will be able to offer safe solutions to allergy issues that others fail to notice.
- The more dangerous times are non-routine days, including: substitute teacher days, outings, celebrations, snow days and guests in the classroom. Have a plan for these occurrences.
- Field trip awareness: What is the planned activity? Where will it happen? Who will be there? Will there be food present? If so, what is it – and who’s responsible for it? Will there be supervision by someone who is trained on symptoms and how to administer the auto-injector?
- Don’t discuss food issues with irate parents; remind them that changes are at the discretion of the principal.
Susan Clemens is the moderator of AllergicLiving.com’s Talking Allergies Forum. Join her for discussion under the “Schools” thread.
First published in Allergic Living magazine, Fall 2009 edition.
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kamwrites
Thanks for the great article. I too have a child with dairy allergies although, so far, the reactions have not been anaphylactic. It has been “interesting” preparing him for his first full-day school experience which will now involve lunch. His school has a “peanut-free” table which is helpful for that side of things, but kids at the table will have milk and other dairy products. I also noticed that the disposal area for milk is directly behind the peanut-free table. I am fortunate we have very responsive staff and administrators at our school. I appreciate the thought that went into this article and I wish you and your child well!
cherylr
Thanks for sharing some great tips for kids with dairy allergies. I myself feel like an old pro as my son will be 10 soon and is going into grade 5 this year. I would like to add some more suggestions in regards to kids with dairy allergies.
First, when it comes to your child’s safety you are the only advocate for them and never think you are being pushy when it comes to asking for help within the school environment.
The past year my son switched schools and now has lunch in a cafeteria setting as opposed to eating lunch at his own desk in the classroom and have a friend sit with him. At first I was a bit nervous about how things would work but the school was quite willing to arrange that he have his own small table and chair to sit at in the cafeteria. He also asks friends who are not having dairy to sit with him. (In younger grades the teacher often asked kids and soon they wanted to sit with him. This worked out very well.)
Sometimes I worry about isolation in regards to his allergy. I have not been so lucky to have pizza day dismissed from his school. I try to arrange Dr. or dentist appointments on those days or pack a special lunch and have a picnic (weather permitting). But as he gets older he doesn’t want me to take him out and miss recess that follows lunch. On these days we have arranges that he is either with one of the teachers in their classroom or in the VP’s office, for the 20 minute lunch period.
I can also suggest that you inquire about being the “class” parent. Teachers often appreciate having the stress of making sure class parties and special days that involve food will be safe for your child.
I also have a written letter (approved by the teacher) that is copied and handed out to all the parents in my son’s class that explains his dairy allergy (that it is NOT lactose intolerance etc…) and suggest safe snacks for them to bring to school. I particularly ask that they not bring yogurt or anything that is not in solid form for fear of …. yes, spilled milk!
Good luck to all of you parents with kids that have food allergies as you start another year!