How do you get people to take allergies seriously?

mommyof4boys

MIL kept Chris over night and gave him beef strogonof (I can't spell, sorry) and didn't stop to think that the CREAM OF MUSHROOM SOUP he can't have! He's allergic to all dairy products; the cream would be included. OYE! Break out the bennydryl... the kid will be itching tonight

AZ_Erica

i think you have to just be specific with people.  I think unless your kid has a dairy allergy you would like ok milk, ice cream, cheese, big staple milk products out.  They don't think of all the little things.  When DS was under one I was very concerned with what he ate due to allergies.  He doesn't have any that we know of but her has bad excema so the dr said to be careful.   Relatives really had no idea that things are allergy risks or considered to be highly allergic foods.  Good luck getting her to pay attention.

mommyof4boys

I gave her a list of items and ingredients that had dairy in them.  He can't do anything with dairy, milk, cheese, ice cream, lactose, dry milk, anything!  And, no soy.  He's allergic to dairy, soy and we were told to stay away from nuts. 

W&J'sMommy

I wouldn't let her babysit again if I could help it.  My daughter is lactose intolerant and I've had to get after family members that don't get it.  I feel for you!

mmbench

I don't think they will do it unless your kid is hospitalized.

 Prior to having kids, my MIL would at least leave her dog outside when they came to visit.  Since the girls were born, they visit a lot more and have refused to leave the dog outside, so now I've been sick for pretty much 3 years (medication and shots not cutting it).  Every weekend I'm stuck cleaning after they leave.

cbidt*sgirl

i don't think it is that people don't take them seriously, but rather that they really just don't think about ingredients at all.  I have the same issue with foods, not because of allergies, but because of religious dietary restrictions.  Obviously it isn't dangerous for me the way it is for an allergy - but people who are trying to be respectful still end up making those same kind of mistakes.  For example, MIL will plan a meal "around me" and make a big deal about how she changed her plans to accomodate me and then serve something such as chicken with a sauce based on a cream of something soup which i can't eat.   People just aren't used to thinking about ingredients or looking to see if a product is processed someplace with nuts etc.

 

i wish i had advice...just continue being specific and maybe giving examples of safe items. 

shouldbeworkin

I really don't expect anyone to know what my kids can and can't eat.  They haven't been able to eat dairy ever and certain family members are still surprised when I tell them (again) that they can't eat whatever they're serving.  I always bring them something and never let anyone else feed them.  I have a 6th sense for picking up on foods that are off limits now and move them out of my kids' reach.  It sucks, but what can you do until they're old enough to know what they can/can't eat?

 

ETA: If she is babysitting, I would either feed them before you leave or make up a plate for them and set out some snacks for them to eat.