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Original poster

Is it okay for DC to have peanut butter for breakfast?

113 replies

TwentyOneTwentyTwo · 09/05/2022 21:53

I took my son to nursery today and as I was saying bye I mentioned in passing that he'd got peanut butter in his hair this morning. The teacher seemed worried and asked if it was still in there. I said no, maybe there's a tiny bit. I'd got it all off but hadn't washed his hair. She said it's probably fine it's just she had a nut allergy. As I was walking back though, I thought maybe it's irresponsible to give him peanut butter in the morning? He has it every morning really and now I'm worried he could make someone ill. How much should I worry about it? I have no idea how much allergen is on him. And even on a bus or in a shop or something it could hurt someone maybe. I guess it's more concerning for a toddler because they are such messy eaters, it could be anywhere on him really.

OP posts:
MolliciousIntent · 09/05/2022 21:56

Well, yeah, kinda, if you're not going to do a thorough clean after. It's a very common allergen, I wouldn't let my kid wander around with peanut butter on their face/clothes/hair, particularly in a childcare setting.

FWIW DD has peanut butter several mornings a week, but she has breakfast in her PJs and I make sure she's properly clean before she leaves the house.

Original poster
TwentyOneTwentyTwo · 09/05/2022 22:00

I do clean him and change his clothes after breakfast, there's no visible residue on him. But I have very bad hay-fever and I can't see pollen and dust, I just know it's there when the symptoms start. Is that the same for all allergies, because I don't think I could be sure he doesn't have any of it on him without bathing him.

OP posts:
Invisimamma · 09/05/2022 22:01

I can understand why the staff member would be wary. They could also have another child with a peanut allergy.

Really it's fine to have peanut butter for breakfast, peanut butter toast is a pretty standard breakfast for kids. But it is unreasonable to turn up to nursery with it on hair or clothes. Try having breakfasts in PJs then brush teeth and wash hands afterwards.

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SpeedofaSloth · 09/05/2022 22:02

I wouldn't overthink this one TBH. You told the staff member about the peanut butter in his hair, she said it would be OK.

Haggisfish3 · 09/05/2022 22:02

If i knew a staff member or child had a specific peanut allergy I would avoid it for breakfast tbh.

Discovereads · 09/05/2022 22:03

Since there is definitely a known nut allergy person at your DCs nursery, then yeah I don’t think you should be giving him peanut butter for breakfast.

LetitiaLeghorn · 09/05/2022 22:05

I'm pretty sure if the teacher thought kids coming in with peanut butter on their person was dangerous to her, the parents would all have been told at the start of term.

SpeedofaSloth · 09/05/2022 22:07

LetitiaLeghorn · 09/05/2022 22:05

I'm pretty sure if the teacher thought kids coming in with peanut butter on their person was dangerous to her, the parents would all have been told at the start of term.

I think this is a very good point.

SavoyCabbage · 09/05/2022 22:08

Yes, it's not ideal as people can react to the smallest amount. And then it can get on the toys and things.

Wash his hands and brush his teeth after he has it.

Part of it is that when you have a life threatening allergy like this that it seems really weird somehow that other people are just feeding it to their baby. Grin

It's like saying 'he really enjoyed his arsenic on toast this morning' or 'he loves playing with grenades'. You almost forget that other people are just eating it as you are so set up for avoiding it every day because it can kill you.

AskingforaBaskin · 09/05/2022 22:10

YANBU at all. It's not for you to worry about others allergens.

She can request her workplace be allergen free but if she is that sensitive then all she can do is be prepared.

It's just something we all have to crack on with.

Discovereads · 09/05/2022 22:14

LetitiaLeghorn · 09/05/2022 22:05

I'm pretty sure if the teacher thought kids coming in with peanut butter on their person was dangerous to her, the parents would all have been told at the start of term.

It’s common knowledge about nut allergies surely?

Throwawaytoday · 09/05/2022 22:15

We don't go e DD peanut butter before school (or nursery in the past) or parties, playdates etc.

But I grew up with a super anaphylactic family member (the type who could be affected by an airborn spec of peanut dust to the point that she can't eat out, and nuts are banned from flights she's on). So I have a heightened awareness and caution of the risk.

Hugasauras · 09/05/2022 22:15

I think if a staff member is allergic to the extent that just being in contact with peanut butter, not necessarily ingesting it, is dangerous, then parents should be told and asked not to give their child any in the mornings. I would happily comply with that on nursery days.

Throwawaytoday · 09/05/2022 22:15

Don't give*

Discovereads · 09/05/2022 22:16

She can request her workplace be allergen free but if she is that sensitive then all she can do is be prepared to die

there fixed it for you. Can’t believe you think there is no duty of care to a person with a life threatening nut allergy.

AskingforaBaskin · 09/05/2022 22:16

Discovereads · 09/05/2022 22:14

It’s common knowledge about nut allergies surely?

Show quote history

Common knowledge about what?

Discovereads · 09/05/2022 22:22

AskingforaBaskin · 09/05/2022 22:16

Common knowledge about what?

Show quote history

That it’s any contact with peanuts or their oil that can trigger an allergic reaction, not just eating them.

AskingforaBaskin · 09/05/2022 22:24

Discovereads · 09/05/2022 22:16

She can request her workplace be allergen free but if she is that sensitive then all she can do is be prepared to die

there fixed it for you. Can’t believe you think there is no duty of care to a person with a life threatening nut allergy.

No. Its a reality many pediatricians do not agree with allergy free schools because of the lax attitude it brings and how it doesn't reflect real life.

Allergens are there. What if Tommy's Dad scoffed a snikers on the drive in and handed her a bag and transfered the allergen?

It's just a fact of life that needs to be factored in.

PumpkinsandKittens · 09/05/2022 22:25

I think it’s fine, where do you draw the line? anyone you see outside could be allergic to it so maybe we should just ban it 🙄

Clymene · 09/05/2022 22:30

Discovereads · 09/05/2022 22:16

She can request her workplace be allergen free but if she is that sensitive then all she can do is be prepared to die

there fixed it for you. Can’t believe you think there is no duty of care to a person with a life threatening nut allergy.

Oh do behave. If her allergy was life threatening then the parents should have been told. Rather than little Tommy living with a lifetime of guilt for felling her because he had a smear of peanut butter in his hair.

NannyR · 09/05/2022 22:36

People can have severe, anaphylactic reactions to other allergens too. What about giving yoghurt for breakfast, or strawberry jam? You can't avoid all foods in case you come across someone with an allergy.
I would make sure you wipe her hands and face well after breakfast and change her top before nursery, seeing as you know that the staff member has a nut allergy.

mynameiscalypso · 09/05/2022 22:37

One of the staff in DS' room has a serious peanut allergy. We are asked not to give anything with peanuts in before school which is fine with me. DS also only has toast with PB for tea if he's going to have a bath straight after but he does have a tendency to get it absolutely everywhere.

LetitiaLeghorn · 09/05/2022 23:02

Discovereads · 09/05/2022 22:14

It’s common knowledge about nut allergies surely?

Show quote history

I know about nut allergies but I dont live my life round the possibility of other people's allergies. I'm allergic to newly mown grass. I don't expect everyone to stop mowing their lawns. Obviously I try to be considerate and if someone says they're allergic, I refrain. Otherwise I love peanuts, cashews, walnuts, well actually all nuts, and as a diabetic, they're a good treat for me so I'm not thinking of giving them up.

Discovereads · 09/05/2022 23:07

LetitiaLeghorn · 09/05/2022 23:02

I know about nut allergies but I dont live my life round the possibility of other people's allergies. I'm allergic to newly mown grass. I don't expect everyone to stop mowing their lawns. Obviously I try to be considerate and if someone says they're allergic, I refrain. Otherwise I love peanuts, cashews, walnuts, well actually all nuts, and as a diabetic, they're a good treat for me so I'm not thinking of giving them up.

Show quote history

You’re comparing a life threatening peanut allergy to hay fever?

trainnane · 09/05/2022 23:09

I wouldn't ever as my DC have had kids in their classes with peanut allergy. Really scary

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