Nursery and Kindergarten Meal Arrangements for Children with Cow's Milk Allergy
Talking ahead, written instructions, and backup food are the three things that make eating safe in a group setting.
What to prepare before starting nursery or kindergarten
- A short written note: the allergen, the symptoms that may appear, and the situations to avoid
- A doctor's diagnosis and management advice, including an emergency plan if needed
- One face-to-face talk with the teacher, the childcare worker and the person in charge of the kitchen, to confirm snack and lunch arrangements
- A backup food that can be stored for a long time, so the child can still eat if no safe food is available that day
Things to watch in daily life
In group settings, easy things to miss include: snacks shared by other children, birthday cake, food at festival activities, and food materials used in craft activities (such as dough, or milk ingredients in paint). You can ask the teacher to tell you about these in advance, or let your child use their own substitute food, so they feel less singled out.
Explain the emergency steps clearly
If your child has had a severe reaction, the carers should know the warning signs (difficulty breathing, tight throat, hives all over the body, becoming less responsive) and what to do first, and how to contact the parents and emergency services. Where the relevant medicine is kept and how it is used should follow the doctor's instructions, and its expiry date should be checked regularly. In any situation, if severe symptoms appear, call 120 (the emergency number in China) at once.
This article is for general information only and is not medical advice. Please follow your doctor's instructions.
This article is for general information only and is not medical advice. If your symptoms affect daily life, please see a doctor.