He Ate What? Allergy Tips for the Holidays

The holidays can be stressful when you are navigating food allergies and life with a toddler. Our kids don’t understand their allergies yet and sometimes we don’t understand them all either! There is no one right way to get through the holidays with our sanity intact. It is ok for this year to look different than other years! Slowly we get acclimated to our allergy situation and it does get easier. Some people have gatherings where no allergens are present, which is a fantastic way to be inclusive! This is one of the many ways to navigate the holidays. Even if your holiday meal is made without allergens, there can be non-food items that could be of allergy concern. Goat milk soap anyone? I share this funny story with you to help you know what non-food items are out there to pay attention to as well. 

Some of us have an allergy list that was truly staggering at first to accommodate. In our case, we chose to bring our kiddo’s safe food and not expect that all the food to be safe for his allergies. This was entirely personal decision. We did ask that there be no peanuts and that any unsafe food be kept back from the edge of the counter. I’m not saying this is the way you have to navigate it, but just sharing our situation! 

Resources for the Holidays

• Thanksgiving tips from top allergists at the American Academy of Asthma, Allergy & Immunology: 
  • https://www.instagram.com/reel/DCWz-w3vDNg
• Feasting with FARE
  • https://www.foodallergy.org/our-initiatives/awareness-campaigns/living-teal/feasting-fare
• FARE: Keeping a safe home
  • https://www.foodallergy.org/resources/tips-keeping-safe-home
• FAACT News: Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Connection Team
  • https://www.instagram.com/reel/DCxgjXiIGCj
• The Asian Allergy Mom’s Tips
  • https://www.instagram.com/p/C9w7H5DPh7d

Additional “Mom” Tips to Help the Holidays Be Less Stressful 

1. Review safety concerns with the host AND send a parent in to check out if there are any additional concerns BEFORE bringing a toddler into a new home. Items to look for of allergy concern might include
   • Candy dishes with unsafe candy (choking hazards OR allergy concerns)
   • Live plants that may be toxic
   • Soaps in the bathroom made with unsafe ingredients like milk or nuts
   • Candles they could nibble on. Haha. I’ll never look at a pillar candle the same. We have asthma, so we ask for no candle burning or artificial air fresheners be used either.
   • Any unsafe foods be put far back from the counter edge and ideally grouped together to avoid mistakes. Separate serving spoons be used for every item and if serving a kiddo with allergies, serve them FIRST to avoid any cross contact concerns. We bring safe dishes (his favorites) to share and take food from those for our kiddo before others eat. 
   • Pets. Pet food that may contain unsafe ingredients are checked over and addressed. If nut butters are used in dog toys, make sure those toys are put away! The pet may need to be kept away from kiddos with pet allergies too. 
   • Food based ornaments on a Christmas tree that kids might nibble on should be moved higher on the tree or removed entirely.
2. Review basic safety rules with guests
   • If email/text is being used to communicate between all party attenders, the host could email these concerns along with other notes. Most importantly, no feeding our kiddo any food at all without permission from parents. If anyone wants to play with our baby/toddler, washing hands after eating and NO KISSING is necessary. Non negotiable. 
3. Parents share baby watching duty when possible
   • By sharing the task of watching your toddler during functions, both parents get a chance to enjoy themselves and relax. This can really make the difference in being able to enjoy the holidays together. Teamwork makes the dream work! If a spouse or significant other is not available, asking a trusted adult to watch your kiddo for just a little while can give you a breather.