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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think a 2 year old does not need a medical bracelet.

149 replies

MsJamieFraser · 30/12/2015 20:21

AIBU to think a barley turned toddler does not need a allergy bracelet...

I don't know if I am BU or not, ds2 has several grade 5-7 grade allergies (scale only goes to 5) and he is 6.5 years old...

The reason I am looking into medical bracelets now is that he is now attending beavers, even tho all the leaders are fully knowledgable about his medical conditions, but with his allergies being mostly natural allergies... I thought it best that we go down that route that we should be going down, as when and if he will attend over night stays some other beaver groups leaders won't know about his allergies in the possible case ds takes an attack/anaphylaxisnets...

I've just had a mum on our allergy groups saying that she needs to looking into bracelets for her just turned 2 year old... Because she thinks her child needs it incase others might give her, her allergen...

AIBU to think a 2 year old does not need a allergy bracelet?

OP posts:
anotherrainyday · 31/12/2015 07:52

As soon as my DD (severe allergies / asthma and other medical issues) went to something without me - we bought a bracelet. So in her case age 3 on starting preschool. (never felt able to leave her before this except with my mother)

Put on dominant hand in hope that everytime she reached for food, there was a visual reminder to staff re. Allergies.

They were brilliant anyway with her about managing all her conditions but it gave me peace of mind by reminding others, having emergency info (use epi pen)contact and medical info for medics (medic alert, so additional info linked up on computer) and my telephone no. Easily accessible for everyone.

I think any mum of an allergic child who has experienced seeing their child in anaphylaxic shock knows how terrifying it is to 'let go' and let them be out of your care. I know I found it really hard trusting people to manage her.

For me, this was part of the safety process and helped me to trust others with her, and gave me peace of mind and confidence.

I think it's really sad judging someone else's decisions over matters such as this. It is not a competition who's child has the most severe allergies. So few people really understand allergies, that my DD being exposed to things could kill her, not just give her a little rash etc. I would like to think that other mums of allergic children would be supportive, rather than harsh towards each other. It's hard enough getting others to understand, without all this fighting within our own 'community'.

Each of us makes the decisions we do wanting the best for our children. I personally think the 2 year olds mother is making a wise decision and fully understand it. I fully respect others not agreeing, but I really think this mother is trying to do the best for her child and should be commended not condemned.

FuckingCrumbs · 31/12/2015 08:27

For those worried about it getting wet these are great www.universalmedicalid.com/prod_uk/onyx-small-silicone-flex-medical-id-bracelet-479

DS has a severe peanut allergy and wears one and has done since 2.5 yo.

On the front it say PEANUT ALLERGY, and on the back it has his name and medical id. He wears it all the time, in the bath, to bed, to nursery. You can get mini bands in different colours.

WhatamessIgotinto · 31/12/2015 08:30

I don't understand why a toddler needs a medical "tag" at that age..

To be fair OP, you don't need to understand, if it makes her feel happier then her child should have one.

My DD has Type 1 Diabetes and she has worn one since she was about 3. She went to a very small village nursery so everyone knew about her condition but I just felt better knowing that she was wearing one if you know what I mean.

Anyway, this thread has gone a bit mental. I'm sorry your DC have all these allergies, it can't be an easy thing to manage.

SlipperyJack · 31/12/2015 08:39

notrevealing, I developed adult onset hayfever and it turns out it's caused by timothy grass pollen only. No reaction to any other allergens. GP said it was fairly common for timothy grass to be a specific trigger.

PaulAnkaTheDog · 31/12/2015 08:48

You do realise that your son's allgeries have precisely bugger all to do with this? Why keep referring to them? That's why people are being a bit rude. You really do sound like 'my allergies are better than yours!'.

Gileswithachainsaw · 31/12/2015 08:51

two is still.prime age for the "feedy fuckers"

love that phrase by the way as that's exactly what they are. so nice work!!!

to still be in full force. gid forbid a baby or toddler can be seen without food fir 30 seconds.

it's a brilliant idea and if it stops just one person giving them.some food then it's fine it's job.

you honestly sound as if you are in some.kind of weird allergy competition

BalloonSlayer · 31/12/2015 09:17

Haven't RTFT but I worried when my milk allergic child was little:- what if we have a car accident and I am hurt but the DCs ok and someone gives him a milky drink to comfort him? (Yes I am the sort of person who thinks about things like that - and I am like that for a good reason.) The thought frightened the life out of me and having a bracelet idea helped a bit, although I don't think a bracelet occurred to me for a while, I put a card in my purse for a bit instead so people would find it when looking for my ID.

Now he is older he is used to his bracelet and even - hurrah! - remembers to put it back on when he has had a shower (when he remembers to have a shower that is). It will be very useful to have when at University as anyone finding a young man struggling or, God forbid, unconscious, will just assume he is pissed.

Frusso · 31/12/2015 09:31

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

LittleBearPad · 31/12/2015 09:53

Ditto Goofy

Ohbehave1 · 31/12/2015 10:30

OP. You say you have a child with allergies that appear to be off the scale of mere mortals.

How can you NOT see the need for a tag?

And the snipe about not paying full price. Perhaps that aren't as well off as you obviously are.......

SisterMoonshine · 31/12/2015 10:37

I think it's a good idea for a 2 year old to wear one. As well as all the emergency situations already given, I think it helps with the child's own awareness.

BarbarianMum · 31/12/2015 10:48

Ds1 had one that said "allergy to peanuts and milk" in English, French and Spanish at 18 months. He was never out of my sight but it made me feel calmer - I had visions of him getting lost as a toddler on holiday and someone finding him and trying to comfort him with a drink or snack.

trixymalixy · 31/12/2015 14:26

This thread has reminded me that I intended to buy an allergy bracelet for DS. Does anyone have any recommendations?

multivac · 31/12/2015 14:34

I dunno, trixy. I mean, as his parent, are you really best placed to decide whether or not he is of an age where such a thing might be needed?

trixymalixy · 31/12/2015 14:34

He's 9 OP btw and although has anaphylactic allergies to many allergens you win on the allergy top trumps.

CoteDAzur · 31/12/2015 14:49

multivac & trixy Grin

LittleCandle · 31/12/2015 14:55

Of course a bracelet is a good idea. DD1 has multiple severe allergies and wore one at school, despite school knowing all about it. Her IgE level is well over 6000 and still rising. It is due to be tested again soon and is expected to be over 7000. When tested at the age of 14, it was found to be over 2000 and the lab at that time had never seen such a result in a living person. Allergies aren't a competition. Why does this mother's actions bother you? Wind your neck in.

Hulababy · 31/12/2015 15:00

If with someone else who may not have all info to hand.

If with you or someone else but for some reason that adult is unable to communicate fully - accident, injured, state of shock or panic

If child wanders off or gets lost - it happens even to the best of parents sometimes

It's just piece of mind.
Also can be good to get them used to wearing medi alert stuff when young so its second nature by the time they're off at school or doing other stuff without you.

hollinhurst84 · 31/12/2015 15:42

I wear one that says my name, ICE and a telephone number plus autoimmune neutropenia and that I am on GCSF injections. Also says medical alert on it (silicone band one, is brilliant)
If I collapsed in the street or had a car crash or fell off my horse or anything where I couldn't communicate then people can see it
I'm not used to wearing one though so I can see why a child would have one, it's just so it becomes matter of fact, and if anything happened to parent, medics can see it

LalaLyra · 31/12/2015 17:21

supermum I'm laughing at lala having a patch on her jacket saying 'IM ALLERGIC TO MILK'. Totally useless if it's hot or if, like my school was, Blazers were removed as soon as school started.

Unfortunately you are not the first to laugh. Wasn't on my school jacket/blazer. Just my normal jacket for when I was out playing. In case someone's Mum gave me a biscuit or drink. I had a beautiful purple jacket, longed for it for ages, then the patch happened...

DD2 has a bracelet and I'm very envious that wasn't an option when I was a kid. Much better. No ruining of nice jackets.

FuckingCrumbs · 31/12/2015 18:57

trixy upthread I put a link to a silicon band one. Hardwearing, lots of bands and can get wet, DS finds it comfortable.

Want2bSupermum · 31/12/2015 23:15

lala I feel your pain. My cousin was surprised when DH and I were very happy to get him a special bracelet. It was about $100 here in the U.S. but you can expand it with additional links that came with it. He still wears it now.

SawdustInMyHair · 31/12/2015 23:37

Surely a bracelet would be MORE useful for a child who cannot verbalise what they are allergic to? I don't think there would be a lower age limit on that, it could be useful at any age where they'll be anywhere out of parent's arms!

Bing0wings · 01/01/2016 19:59

I also think good idea to have allergy bracelet at 2. My toddler used to be offered food by group leaders/parents and sometimes you don't see the food being offered.

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