When my eldest child, Liam, was just ten months old, he had a life-threatening allergic reaction to hidden dairy in his rice cereal. This emergency room visit earned me some serious “Mommy Points,” but it was the trip to the pediatric allergist that really changed our lives. Liam was diagnosed with moderate to severe allergies to thirteen different foods. From that moment on, he had to steer clear of peanuts, tree nuts, eggs, wheat, barley, oats, fish, shellfish, green olives, black pepper, malt, and cantaloupe. Not to mention he needed to avoid any dairy products altogether.
For Liam, this didn’t mean much of a lifestyle shift. He had already claimed the title of World’s Picky Eater, so adjusting his meals was minimal. As a stay-at-home parent, I took it upon myself to create a safe environment for him—though avoiding cheesy Goldfish crumbs at public places proved to be quite the challenge!
To say my world was flipped upside down that day would be a huge understatement. I took Liam’s two new Epi-Pens from the doctor and stuffed them into my diaper bag. Then, the tears came. How was I going to keep my little one safe? Plus, as a nursing mom, I also had to eliminate these allergens from my own diet. What was left to eat?
In the months that followed, my diet took a hit (and my waistline showed it). Yet, against all odds, we managed to keep Liam safe, and he hasn’t had another anaphylactic scare in the six years since that fateful day. Now, just a few weeks shy of his seventh birthday, he has successfully navigated most of his food challenges and has outgrown all his allergies except for peanuts and dairy.
Now, looking back from perhaps the other side of the food allergy road, I can see how Liam’s allergies have brought some unexpected benefits. Here are a few:
- Trusting My Instincts: After months of puzzling symptoms like colic, sleeplessness, and eczema, I finally felt vindicated when we linked everything to food allergies. I was justified in my many trips to the pediatrician and my so-called “overprotectiveness.”
- Cooking Skills: I had to learn how to cook. Most pre-packaged foods contained at least one of his allergens, so I took matters into my own hands.
- Baking Mastery: Just two months post-diagnosis, I was faced with the challenge of making a very special first birthday cake without milk, eggs, or wheat. I thought it was impossible, but I was wrong. Now, if one of my kids comes to me last minute for a school bake sale and I’m out of eggs, I can whip up six different egg-free treats without breaking a sweat.
- Ingredient Awareness: I became a label-reading ninja. You’d be amazed at what’s really in the food we eat—and sometimes, it’s downright gross!
- Surprising Discoveries: I also learned about foods that are free from allergens. Who knew Oreos and Hunt’s Lemon Pudding are both dairy and egg-free? Kind of icky, but hey, I’ll take it!
- Medical Advocacy: I’ve become a confident advocate for my child’s health. We don’t just take our pediatrician’s word for it (even though she’s amazing); instead, we research and make informed decisions tailored to our kids’ needs.
- Diverse Diet: Our family has explored a broader range of foods than we might have otherwise. We have multiple milk alternatives in the fridge—while Liam sticks to hemp milk, his siblings enjoy almond, coconut, and even regular dairy milk. Our pantry is stocked with various nut and seed butters to meet everyone’s dietary requirements.
- Community Support: I’ve been repeatedly touched by the kindness of others, from my sister who made Thanksgiving dinner safe for Liam, to neighbors who are diligent about hand-washing when the kids play together. Friends who avoid bringing peanut butter sandwiches to our house and teachers who ensure that classrooms are safe for all kids have made this journey much easier. Instead of pity, I often see understanding and support from those around us.
I’m grateful for Liam’s food allergies because they have shaped him into the amazing child he is today, and I wouldn’t change a thing about him.
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Summary:
Liam’s food allergies have led to personal growth, culinary skills, and a supportive community. Through these challenges, I learned to trust my instincts, become a better cook and baker, and advocate for my child’s health. Our family embraces diverse foods, and I’m grateful for the kindness of those around us.