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Joining the Peanut Allergy Moms (and pg w/ #2)

VirginnyVirginny
in Food Allergy

Hi All,

Our 20 month old little guy is officially allergic to peanuts.

After 2 reactions to small amounts of peanut butter and peanut puffs, which included hives on the face, swelling of the eyes, constant rubbing of the eyes, runny nose, vomiting and diarrhea, we are now an epi pen carrying family.

We do a lot of traveling and live in FL, so I'm a little concerned about keeping the epi pens cool and handy. I'm on the hunt for a brightly colored pouch that we can take in the diaper bag or hang on a hook at home.

We only met with his pedi, who didn't refer us to an allergist. But since I am expecting baby #2, the pedi advised me to avoid ALL kinds of nuts throughout the rest of the pregnancy (and beyond since I nurse). I did eat lots of peanut butter while pregnant with Ben and the whole 15 months I nursed him. I feel a tinge of guilt, but hopefully his brother/sister will be peanut free.

Looking forward to getting to know you all.

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Re: Joining the Peanut Allergy Moms (and pg w/ #2)

  • mrs_kelly1014mrs_kelly1014 member

    Do NOT feel guilty! Nothing has been proven one way or the other. In fact, for every study that says it's best to avoid the allergen while pregnant, there is another one that says exposing the baby to it during pregnancy is best. No one knows. Furthermore, there is no way to predict that your DC would have been allergic to peanuts. You couldn't very well go avoiding everything just because a future kiddo might be allergic, KWIM?

    I'm sorry you're joining the peanut allergy club. I know it can be very scary, but there are tons of great resources out there to help you!

    Also, I live in Phoenix (where we hover around 110-115+ for most of the summer) and we have never had a problem with our Epi Pens going bad (you can tell by looking at the color of the liquid in the Epi Pens). As long as you're not leaving them in the car, you will be fine. Even with adventures outside - they really aren't that volatile. But, if you're ever going to be outside for a long period of time (like all day - not a few hours) you could always pack a cool pack - but just make sure the Epis aren't stored right against them. Just somewhere near them where they won't be too hot or cold).

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  • MrsBeckOMrsBeckO member
    imagemrs_kelly1014:

    Do NOT feel guilty! Nothing has been proven one way or the other. In fact, for every study that says it's best to avoid the allergen while pregnant, there is another one that says exposing the baby to it during pregnancy is best. No one knows. Furthermore, there is no way to predict that your DC would have been allergic to peanuts. You couldn't very well go avoiding everything just because a future kiddo might be allergic, KWIM?

    Ditto this! I had a bit of guilt in the beginning as well because PB was one of the few foods I could eat without getting sick while I was PG, so towards the end, I ate a lot. And when DD was small and nursing, if I was starving, PB toast was my go-to snack/meal. I wondered a lot about whether or not that contributed to DD's allergy before finally realizing that it a) it most likely didn't, and b) what does it matter now anyway? Our reality is that she is PA, and there's nothing we can do to change that.. so I can't spend my time worrying about *why*.. all we can do is move forward and do our very best to protect her.

    I'm sorry you're joining this club, but its not so bad. I learned a lot in the first few weeks/months, and now that we are in a good routine and diligence has become second-nature, its pretty easy to manage. Good luck to you!

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  • VirginnyVirginny
    imagemrs_kelly1014:

    Do NOT feel guilty! Nothing has been proven one way or the other. In fact, for every study that says it's best to avoid the allergen while pregnant, there is another one that says exposing the baby to it during pregnancy is best. No one knows. Furthermore, there is no way to predict that your DC would have been allergic to peanuts. You couldn't very well go avoiding everything just because a future kiddo might be allergic, KWIM?

    I'm sorry you're joining the peanut allergy club. I know it can be very scary, but there are tons of great resources out there to help you!

    Also, I live in Phoenix (where we hover around 110-115+ for most of the summer) and we have never had a problem with our Epi Pens going bad (you can tell by looking at the color of the liquid in the Epi Pens). As long as you're not leaving them in the car, you will be fine. Even with adventures outside - they really aren't that volatile. But, if you're ever going to be outside for a long period of time (like all day - not a few hours) you could always pack a cool pack - but just make sure the Epis aren't stored right against them. Just somewhere near them where they won't be too hot or cold).

    Thanks, Mrs K. I've never even known anyone with a peanut allergy, so it's a whole new world. Good to know about the epi pens withstanding the heat of the hotter states. Also, I'm most likely keeping Ben home with me until he's 4 or 5, so I feel better knowing that he'll be in my sight until he heads off to school.

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  • VirginnyVirginny
    imageMrsBeckO:
    imagemrs_kelly1014:

    Do NOT feel guilty! Nothing has been proven one way or the other. In fact, for every study that says it's best to avoid the allergen while pregnant, there is another one that says exposing the baby to it during pregnancy is best. No one knows. Furthermore, there is no way to predict that your DC would have been allergic to peanuts. You couldn't very well go avoiding everything just because a future kiddo might be allergic, KWIM?

    Ditto this! I had a bit of guilt in the beginning as well because PB was one of the few foods I could eat without getting sick while I was PG, so towards the end, I ate a lot. And when DD was small and nursing, if I was starving, PB toast was my go-to snack/meal. I wondered a lot about whether or not that contributed to DD's allergy before finally realizing that it a) it most likely didn't, and b) what does it matter now anyway? Our reality is that she is PA, and there's nothing we can do to change that.. so I can't spend my time worrying about *why*.. all we can do is move forward and do our very best to protect her.

    I'm sorry you're joining this club, but its not so bad. I learned a lot in the first few weeks/months, and now that we are in a good routine and diligence has become second-nature, its pretty easy to manage. Good luck to you!

     

    Thanks, Mrs. Beck O!

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