Infant Food Allergies

Infant food allergies are something that many Moms, myself included have to deal with on a daily basis. After a while it is just part of the daily routine. You accept the fact that you can’t just take it for granted that you will be able to eat out when you go out for the day, you need to ring around cafes and restaurants etc first to confirm that the food is ok for your young one to eat. You also get used to not leaving the house without the epipen.

I find that some parents do tend to steer clear of inviting kids with infant food allergies to their childs party. I think they just get the impression that it’s too hard. Sam has only been invited to 1 party from Kindy friends this year (lucky he gets to tag along on some of his brothers parties) and even though you may think I am paranoid I am sure that it is because of his allergies. I always take Sams own food to parties including a little cupcake which he is happy with because he gets lots of sprinkles on it, so it is a shame that some Moms do feel that it’s too hard. I understand though and its fine – Sam hasn’t really noticed yet.

What I did find hard to bear this year was when I actually got this happen with a group of friends. There was a group of 6 of us who had become quite close, often meeting up at parks etc. They were all aware that Sam has infant food allergies. We were arranging to meet at a park at Easter and organising a treasure hunt for the kids. We were going to do a BBQ with sausages and burgers – this was good as Sam could eat this, I would just have to take his own bread, I make our bread, no problem there. Then we got to the treasure hunt bit which I suggested bringing a lot of little plastic eggs filled with stickers and sweets etc. However, 2 of the girls said that they wanted to stick with chocolate as it was Easter. When I mentioned that Sam couldn’t be around chocolate it was suggested in a nice way that maybe I could come after the treasure hunt? (What about all the chocolate stained hands, wrappers etc?) Even though I didn’t let them know at the time I was upset over this. I thought that they were friends who just for one day would forsake chocolate! They knew all about Sam’s infant food allergies.

I made my excuse a couple of days later and said that I would not be going. Then after all that I found out that the Easter BBQ never happened, but for me the damage had been done. I don’t see those 2 anymore to be honest if my friends are not willing to change things slightly for the sake of Sam’s infant food allergies, then I dont want them as friends. May sound harsh but thats the way I feel. All my friends now are fantastic – it’s not a big deal. Like on Saturday night we are meeting up and we had a quick 2 minute conversation about food and that’s it – no problem. Looking forward to it.