Avoiding Spilled Milk
As the mother of a dairy-allergic 8-year-old, I am often asked: “How can anyone be allergic to milk?” From an early age, we’re taught that milk is good for you. It’s hard for people to fathom living without it, and then you explain that the allergy is not just to cow’s milk, but to a protein in every dairy product. Whether milk, cheese or whey or casein ingredients in a packaged food – it’s all dangerous and to be avoided.
When we registered our daughter for Junior Kindergarten back in 2001, my husband and I heard all about anaphylaxis plans for peanuts and tree nuts. But school officials seemed to have a hard time grasping that milk could be just as deadly to a child allergic to dairy. The school had a monthly Pizza Day, and the allergist had recommended that our daughter not go to school on those days, as the risk of a reaction from the melted cheese (which smears so easily) was high.
Since she missed many events, I asked the school to reconsider the importance of Pizza Day. To my great relief, the new principal was most understanding and promptly dropped the “day”. Not all parents have accepted this easily, but that’s OK. My primary job is to protect my child physically and psychologically; I want her formative years in academia to be positive. Four years into our journey with dairy allergy and the school, the awareness-building continues. Along the way, we have learned much that’s worth sharing.
Next Page: Keeping the Child Safe
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!