Current thinking on nuts

[dkdad]

Can anyone explain what the current thinking on nuts is? My impression from the UK is that nuts are basically a no-no for small kids but now that I'm living in Denmark I find that most people have never heard of possible nut allergies in kids.

Children seem to be given nuts to eat without any concern in the same way that I was in the UK all those years ago!

What really scares me is that ds will be given cashew nuts (his most severe allergy) in some form or other by someone i.e at a party or in a cake. I can monitor his food when I am with him but what about when he starts pre-school? I know it is my responsibility to protect him but surely other adults can take this on board too. After all I drive carefully especially near primary schools, even though it is not my responsibility to make sure other peoples children are out of the road.

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Bunny2 and Robinw. I realise that actually having a child with a nut allegy must be really scary, and I am not trying to do anyone a dis-service. What I meant by my comment was unfortuneately parents are being made more and more scared/worried about things that are unlikely to happen. I don't mena to belittle anything, but I do feel some some well-meaning advice may be a little OTT for most parents who, because they are trying to do the best for their children, try to follow every bit of advice. If that makes sense. Absolutely if your family has a history of allegies, then caution is important. All I mean is that for the average family feeding a child peanut butter outside a hospital (just in case) is a little alarmist. It also means those fantastic food campanies can charge a premium on all 'no nut' foods (even if they were unlikely to contain any anyway. Do you see what I mean.

I suppose for me, I feel form pre-conception, we are continually bombarded with messages, and well meaning advice, that can make us feel 100% neurotic. 9 times out of 10 it is conflicting. There is so much guilt attached to being a parent, and for some it makes everyday life difficult if they are always following 'advice'. Does this make sense. I am a very laid back parent, I know I do masses of things that would make another parent freak. However when I tried to follow all teh advice, my head span and I felt that I was a really c**p mum. As soon as I followed my heart, I felt better.

I am not having a go at parents with food allegies, and I think mum2toby's mum should have known the risks, but I am sure it was simply a thoughtless action, rather than a real issue. Hence although I understand why she went ballistic, I also understand why her mum did what she did. It wouldn't occur to me to NOT serve peanut butter or anything else nut laden to kids in theory, but since we don't eat peanut butter in this house, it wouldn't be something I did!

Sorry if I caused offence

Hi Crunchie, you didnt offend me at all. But I do worry about people grasping the severity of allergies. I dont have allergies myself and it wasnt until seeing the speed and sefverity of my sons reaction that I really got it. I once nearly bit the head off someones MIL at a playgroup after she broke off a piece of her cake and offered it to my son. She (different generation) had never come across food allergy before and thought I was a rude and ungracious mother! I dont think she ever spoke to me again.

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RobinW, reading this doesnt make it worse, it is comforting to know others are managing the situation calmly and well. But sometimes I want to have a damn good cry about it all, there is the proverbial black cloud and it is not going to go away.

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robinw, it does get easier as the child gets older, my DD turns 17 this month. She is quite capable and has been for at least 7 years, of monitoring what she eats. All her friends know, and she herself makes sure everyone else knows. So far, it hasn't been a problem for any of the friend's parents and I don't feel the need to check up.

She has been on many school trips since primary school and she to Peru for a month on the World Challenge and this easter spent a week in Germany and a week in France independently and responsible for herself, no teachers or parents. Peru was the biggest worry for me, but she coped well. I do find it a bait scarey that other countries seem to be unaware of nut allergy. A restauarant in paris was mosdt offende ehrn I asked for the profiteroles to be taken away as they had nuts on top. despite having told them no nuts!

I know what it is like to go to hospital on a blue light, three time infact, 3 weekends in a row, all from eating different nut products. She is now also allergic to MSG, after having suffered badly after a chinese a few months ago, despite eating chinese from the age of 2!

I don't want to sound blase, but you have to relax about it otherwise you are constantly living on a knife edge and that is not good for the child's independance and acceptance by others.
We have just let it become a way of life and it is no big deal anymore, but she'd still kill for cachews and pistachios!

Ooops, sorry about the typos, forgot to preview!

RobinW
many thanks for the links to the threads and association address. I feel a bit better having read everything on the site, well at least I am not alone. I used to be a nurse before SAHM so the pen etc. does not worry me but the thought of something happening when I am not there does. but I guess everybody feels protective. have located a NZ branch of association and am going to contact them to see if they can help. It also has really annoyed me that health care here is not free as it is at home and we have to pay for them $180 each and of course you need more than 1. When something is potentially life threatening I think it is a real scam that they are able to charge you!! Am now inn process of educating his preschool who don't seem keen on having the pen on site. Have of course said that if they are not prepared to use it if needed then I will have to move him which is such a shame because 1. he loves it 2. we only moved here in Sept and he has had enough change and 3. why should we have to change. Anyway will sign of as I am obviously still really upset about it all. Friday, housework day - will take it out on floor and fridge cleaning!

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