eating out with dairy allergy

[relax]

my son has been found to be allergic to cows milk so no dairy for him, he is only 8 months old. I am going to a wedding soon . is it less trouble to take your own food when eating out what is the best thing to do?. thanks.

[anneme]

I would suggest taking your own food because then you can relax. If there is stuff for him to eat then all well and good but it takes the "what if" out of the equation.

DS1 is intolerant to dairy and eggs so not as serious as your LO - however, you will find that it just becomes second nature to label read! Just one warning - if you are using soya milk try and avoid the sweetened stuff. Alpro do a good soya milk which is unsweetened and has added calcium/vits etc. Shop around because it is much cheaper in some shops than others

[gigglewitch]

My two dses are df (age 4 & 7),these days i find it easier to either ring the restaruant ahead to check that there is a basically a 'sunday dinner' meat-potatoes-veg option; and fruit salad or something for dessert.

When they were under about 2 yrs old it was just easier to take their food and drinks with them. That way you know exactly what he's getting! I always (still) take snacky stuff like bread sticks and their own variety of biscuits,so that they don't feel left out when everyone else is getting that kind of food.

[relax]

thank you so much.I am slowly getting used to things / label reading etc bit of a nightmare though.
suppose its not just what food he will eat but how they are cooked as well i.e. in butter or milk etc.

he is having pepti formula in his food instead of milk so am trying to make most things from scratch.
i am hoping he will grow out of it sometime soon.
thanks for your response

[anneme]

DS1 is now four - when he was v little his eczema would flare up and he would start scratching his face straight after having egg/dairy - now he can have both in moderation. DS2 (9 mths) is not affected at all. There is hope!

[gigglewitch]

relax - you're right, it's the 'hidden' stuff that is the biggest worry, like whether they have basted the chicken or turkey in butter, and all kinds of stuff in potatoes when they're mashed/croquet/rosti etc., and even in bread! You will figure it all out in a relatively short time, honestly. I'm still hoping - like you - that they will grow out of it at some point.
BTW, dietitians have some really good stuff to help you get around dairy products, where they are likely to hide, what to use instead, and also balancing his diet. If you haven't already got this stuff, ASK!

[ratbunny]

is it possible to ask the caterers what foods are dairy free - stress no butter / marge, milk etc and not processed (so no hidden milk). Take your own food anyway, but then your ds can always pinch food from your plate too.
I have always found that the chefs etc are very helpful when catering for someone with allergies.