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Original poster

Food challenge for 4 year old. Bricking it. Any advice?

28 replies

lukewarmmama · 27/10/2011 11:43

That's it really! Our first food challenge next week - baked egg. DD wants to help cook it, bless her, so we'll have a go at involving her with that somehow, without her touching it or eating it [hconfused].

But she's quite anxious (understandably) around food. Won't eat the pre-school snacks etc. So there's a good chance we'll get to hospital and she'll refuse point blank to eat the stuff. Any tips? Games I can make it into? Rewards a good idea or no?

I'm also bricking it as well. If she's ill, then its my fault, she'll hate me, and she'll never want to do another challenge again. Gargh, I hate this, hate it, hate it. Sigh.

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Likeaninjanow · 27/10/2011 12:01

aw, that's lovely that she wants to be involved [hsmile].

We've only done one challenge, and he was 3 at the time, for fish. It can be a really long day as every stage seems to take an age. Also, inserting the canula is not nice, so can be a bit upsetting from the word go. Just to warn you!

We took a new toy so he'd be a bit distracted by it, as well as favorite books and other toys. I was very falsely upbeat and made it out to be a big adventure. Ours went really well, so I'm afraid I have no other advice. We were just really lucky that he ate it. I did say that if he ate it, we could phone Daddy afterwards and tell him what a brave boy he'd been etc, etc.

Hopefully someone else can offer more advice, but good luck! Let us know how you get on.

Original poster
lukewarmmama · 27/10/2011 12:11

Canula! Didn't realise that they needed to do that (makes sense now I think about it, doh). As if it isn't a strange enough day for her. OK - thanks for that - I can forewarn her about that as well.

Like the idea of ringing Daddy afterwards to tell him - she is a mega Daddy's girl, so will love that.

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babybarrister · 27/10/2011 21:22

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nellymoo · 27/10/2011 22:17

No canula for us either, but DD freaks out at plasters, and was obviously covered in 'em for obs. :-( Three HUGE sticker books helped, and she did have to be cajoled into eating.

We had to cover her egg in ketchup before she would eat it (dietician, who was on the ward for the challenge was fine with this, the nurses were a bit sniffy about cross-contamination...)

I hope yours goes better than ours did Grin

Good luck!

nellymoo · 27/10/2011 22:19

and as for blaming you, she really won't!

Likeaninjanow · 28/10/2011 12:10

Can't believe we had a canula & you both didn't! It was horrid!

ChocaMum · 28/10/2011 12:22

We've done two food challenges at st Thomas' and both didn't involve cannulas. They are very long days so do go prepared for the boredom, take lots of interesting and any new things with you to help distract dd and kill time.

I made a few of dd's favourite snacks and meals and took them along and then fish or egg were mixed in to them. Our DD really struggled with the volume she needed to eat during the whole day because she was very small at the time, and because it was part of a study after skin prick tests showed large wheals, there was a standardised amount for all ages she needed to eat.

She will definitely not blame you if it doesn't go well so try not to worry. And do try to be upbeat about it, they are so good at susssing out how we feel about something, unfortunately! Good luck, fingers crossed for your dd.

girlsyearapart · 28/10/2011 12:41

Have had two at Kingston and neither had cannulas..
She was nearly 2 then nearly 3 and failed both..

Also to egg.
I was heavily pregnant the first time so took someone else with me so we did a distraction tag team

This time- also pregnant (different baby I'm not an elephant!!)on my own with her the worst thing was that she was hungry but not allowed to eat. We were there nearly 6 hours and the hospital were great and had DVDs and colouring and a play room equivalent to nursery!

It did make me feel bad as she failed the challenges but she was allowed to choose a treat at the shop afterward and we went on the bus both made her happy.

Good luck

Original poster
lukewarmmama · 28/10/2011 14:37

Thank you for all the advice and reassurance. Very good to hear that others have done them, and failed them, and survived it (mentally and physically!). I'm going to be gutted if she fails, so goodness knows how disappointed DD will be.

Am building up a big stack of books and DVDs. The children's ward has a fantastic playroom, so that'll help. And will take lots of snacks and treats, definitely.

Will try to remember to report back at the end of the week... Fingers crossed!

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FanjoForTheMuahahammaries · 28/10/2011 14:55

We had an accidental challenge of baked egg the other week, DD ate some bread that I didn't know had an egg glaze, her face got very red and her eye started to swell..I do feel that was the best way rather than having to prepare for it, very stressful, all the best to you!

Original poster
lukewarmmama · 28/10/2011 15:03

I kind of agree with you Fanjo. Although am far too scared sensible to try that way (although I did test her contact reactions at home, to a few raised eyebrows when I told her consultants!).

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FanjoForTheMuahahammaries · 28/10/2011 15:05

we were told to try at home, which surprised me as DD had a bad reaction to baked egg before. Had been too scared to try, and didn't see much reason for it when she had still tested positive for egg allergy, so this has saved me the bother. Not sure if she will grow out of the allergy now though (she is 5)

Original poster
lukewarmmama · 28/10/2011 15:19

That's strange crap advice, esp coming from health professionals. At least you know now I suppose, and it wasn't an ana reaction.

Never say never on the growing out of it, its still possible (although I know the time running out feeling...Sad).

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BarbarianMum · 29/10/2011 19:24

Ds1 has had 4 food challenges . My recipe for success (after the first challenge which I took him to and he failed) was to have dh take him as he is calm and laid back and I am not. A couple of weeks ago he had (and passed Smile ) a peanut challenge - dh took him and I stayed at home vomiting with nerves.

I could never do it Fango's way - my 1 experience of calling an ambulance when ds reacted to celery for the first time was too scary.

Original poster
lukewarmmama · 29/10/2011 20:46

Nice idea Barbarian! Shame DH can't really get away that morning...

Hooray he passed Smile.

How bad have the reactions been when anyone's DC has failed? Have any of them needed to stay in overnight, or needed epipens, or has it been more being sick/hives type of thing?

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trixymalixy · 29/10/2011 21:54

DS failed his milk challenge nearly a year ago when he was nearly 4. We didn't really have a problem getting him to take the milk which was a bit of a surprise. My plan was just out and out bribery if he was kicking up a fuss.

The reaction was pretty horrid, he was almost purple and covered in hives and being sick. It was definitely the worst he had had, but there was no epipen needed. Had I been at home on my own, I would have been getting the epipen ready as he was a bit floppy and fell asleep on me. The staff were very calm which helped me stay calm and just treated him with 2x 5ml doses of piriton.

They wouldn't let him leave until he had eaten, but didn't have to stay overnight. I then took him to Tesco and let him choose whatever toy he wanted for being so brave!!

Hope your DD gets on ok!

BarbarianMum · 30/10/2011 16:07

That sounds grim, trixymalixy Sad

Ds1's reaction was much more minor - hives around his mouth and a tiny bit of sick. I'm pretty sure his mouth was itching/burning too (he started crying the moment the milk went into his mouth) but he was too young to tell us then. He was observed for an hour but didn't even need Piriton.

Original poster
lukewarmmama · 30/10/2011 20:54

Trixy - that sounds pretty awful. Thank you for letting me know though (and BarbarianMum), its really helpful just knowing what kind of range of reactions we might expect.

Although I've just made the cake, and the 100g we have to to take is two big muffins worth. She wouldn't eat that in 4 days at home, so its going to be a challenge in more ways than one in hospital!

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babybarrister · 30/10/2011 21:55

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BOOareHaunting · 30/10/2011 22:05

I'm sorry I have no advice re food challenges. I was told to try DS with the ketchup at home after a year (non anaphylatic to it). He reacted 4 hours later with hives round neck but was fine.

I do though want to add my voice of support as a mum of an allergic child. I hope all goes well and yes please keep us updated. You can have a celebratory or rant thread - we'll all be there I'm sure.

Original poster
lukewarmmama · 02/11/2011 16:26

Well, we're back home and so far so good, no reaction! Dd was amazing, totally unfazed and matter of fact about it (mummy, I'm not being sick yet!), and so brave. I'm so proud of her. Fingers crossed for the next 48 hours, but it's looking good.

Thank you all so much for your advice and support, it's been brilliant. MN is all very entertaining in AIBU etc, but it's just amazing when you really need help with something. Thank you ladies Smile

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babybarrister · 02/11/2011 18:21

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youarekidding · 02/11/2011 18:23

Yeah, great news. Grin

trixymalixy · 02/11/2011 18:26

That's great news!!

Original poster
lukewarmmama · 02/11/2011 19:32

Yes babybarrister - I was thinking today that there must be shades of grey in this, and that a 3 egg cake or whatever probably isn't the best idea!

Trying not to get too excited, but hopefully we can get an appointment for a cooked milk challenge next year, and so starting school next september might not be as horrendous as I thought. Anyway, baby steps....

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