BY HEJIRA CONVERY, KINDICARE

AUGUST 5, 2022

Food allergy is common in Australian children.  

One in 10 babies and one in 20 kids up to the age of five are allergic to eggs, milk, peanuts or another food, and if your tyke is one of them, you may not be super excited about putting them in childcare.  

Entrusting your cherub’s health to others is daunting, and the thought of shared activities and shoulder-to-shoulder meals may seem like a recipe for disaster.  

However, it helps to know that early learning services are familiar with managing food allergies, and staff will work with you to ensure a smooth start and safe-as-possible experience for your little learner. 

Together, you can take action to prevent and manage an allergic reaction, and here are four things our guest allergy experts recommend you do:   

1. Share medical information and supplies with your service well before your child’s first day.  

Maria Said is Chief Executive Officer of Allergy & Anaphylaxis Australia and Co-chair of the National Allergy Strategy and she says it’s very important to provide up-to-date paperwork and any medication your child may need. 

Ms Said tells us that, “Children with a confirmed food allergy should have an ASCIA Action Plan completed by their doctor.”  

“If your child has been prescribed an adrenaline injector (EpiPen® or Anapen®), you should provide your service with one of their adrenaline injector devices, along with your child's ASCIA Action Plan for Anaphylaxis,” which spells out the action that must be taken in the case of a severe allergic reaction.  

It’s also good to know that every early learning service must have someone trained in anaphylaxis management immediately available to help if there’s an emergency; and staff are on the look-out for allergy symptoms, even if a child hasn’t had a reaction before. 

Food allergy can emerge at any age, and staff will direct you to a doctor if your child experiences hives, breathlessness, vomiting or face-swelling soon after eating a food.  

2. Talk to your service about how they will reduce the risk of an allergic reaction. 

Ms Said explains that, “Your service must put appropriate risk minimisation strategies in place to prevent your child being given the food they’re allergic to,” and Allergy Aware has a whole range of resources to help services prevent and manage anaphylaxis.  

The National Allergy Strategy’s Best Practice Guidelines for Anaphylaxis Prevention and Management in Children’s Education and Care are new, and your educators should do the following to reduce the risk of a food allergic reaction: 

• Supervise children to make sure those with food allergy eat the food that’s been prepared specifically for them 
• Teach children with food allergy that they can’t share food with other people 
• Efficiently clean up any food mess, and 
• Clean little hands very well after eating.  

3. When care starts, prepare your child (and their lunchbox) well. 

Dr Katie Frith is a paediatric allergy specialist and she says, “Young children are messy eaters and often share food,” so it’s important to remind your under-five that they have a food allergy and can only accept food from certain people, like their educators. 

Also remind them to tell a grown-up if they feel sick or ‘funny’ after eating.   

If you’re packing snacks and lunch for the day, then Dr Frith says, “Your child’s food should be clearly labelled, with their name and food allergy, in a sealed lunchbox/lunch bag that they know is theirs.” 

Your tyke’s food doesn’t need to be stored separately, as long as it’s sealed and labelled, however, you might like it to go on a high shelf in the fridge to avoid other food dropping onto it.  

4. Keep educators updated on how your family is feeling.   

For example, it’s helpful for them to know if your little one had a reaction over the weekend or feels left out of centre celebrations, and if you’re worried or unhappy about how your child’s allergy is being managed at care, don’t stay mum! 

Dr Frith says, “Your service should always follow your advice on what food your child can/cannot have,” and you should share any concerns with your Centre Director/Manager.  

She says, “It’s important to have calm, respectful conversations. Your childcare service should take your concerns seriously. They should seek guidance on appropriate measures to manage severe allergies from the Best Practice Guidelines.” 

“As a parent, you can also contact Allergy & Anaphylaxis Australia and talk to a Health Educator. Just call 1300 728 000.” 

The above actions help to lower your child’s risk at early learning, and there is a chance that their food allergy will resolve in time.  

Dr Frith says, “Some children ‘outgrow’ their food allergies, but this may not be until they’re well into their primary or even high school years. Some allergies such as peanut, tree nuts, seafood and sesame allergies tend to be lifelong.”  

She says, “It is important that children continue under the care of a clinical immunology/allergy specialist for as long as the specialist recommends,” and in the early years, quality educators help to make your child’s days as happy and healthy as possible.  

To find a service that cares about your child (almost!) as much as you do, search KindiCare