Milk Allergry
 

I am kind of in a tough spot and am not sure what to do. My 2 year old and I recently switched daycare centers, I work as a teacher in the infant room. She has a relatively mild milk allergy but hasn't been given a large does of milk in quite some time so we are unsure of how she would react. She is currently on Almond Milk. We have been at this center for about 2 weeks and she has been given milk 3 or 4 times now. The first time it happened the teachers were not even aware and I had to bring it up, she gets a very specific diaper rash and rash around her mouth when she has had milk. I went back and talked to them nicely thinking that because she was new that it was a one time mistake. Well yesterday I was on break when I was called to her room, I got down there and her teacher was freaking out because "she took a drink of milk, I'm not sure how much but I took it right away". She was breaking out so I grabbed her allergy meds and gave them to her and told her teachers that they needed to check on her every 30 minutes to make sure she was still breathing (per our doctor). So a few hours later I go back in to check on her and I get a completely different story from her teachers, now they are claiming that I over reacted and that because her hives cleared up (after the meds) that they think that she didn't have any milk at all (I'm sorry 2 hours ago you couldn't tell me how much she had!) They then tell me that she had a horrible nap and that she was super grumpy but the situation with the milk "wont happen again" (heard that one before). They even go on to blame her for triggering her allergy. She's 2, she doesn't know better!

So I guess I am in sure what to do. The director (my boss) was not there on Friday so I am going to talk to her on Monday. I have already gone out and bought colored cups for her to drink at daycare but honestly don't know if I trust her teachers. My mother in law said she could watch her during the day while I work but only 25 - 30 hours a week. Right now I work full time and the boss doesn't like having part time staff. I am so confused as to what to do, we have only been there 2 weeks so I don't want to rock the boat too much in terms of my employment but I also don't want to leave my daughter in a situation where she is constantly given her allergy.

Others might have a better idea, but the first thing that came to my mind was, group daycare is generally less watchful than home daycare, although both sides have great and horrible services. Any chance there's a home daycare near your place or where you work that has a part time opening? Your MIL can watch her part time and the home daycare part time.

If she does stay where you are, I'd go by the 3 strike rule and if they give her, or let her have, milk once more, get her out. Then you would have to either go with the MIL and home daycare, or quit that job.

You should report to the director first thing Monday. All centers where I have ever worked have a list in the class and for kitchen staff of the food allergies and other medical info about the child. The teachers are supposed to check that list before giving out food. It has always been a serious problem if a child is given something they can't have. What if they give a child who has a severe allergy a good they cannot have ? The teachers are in the wrong and need to be retrained ASAP.

Originally Posted by Silly Songs:
You should report to the director first thing Monday. All centers where I have ever worked have a list in the class and for kitchen staff of the food allergies and other medical info about the child. The teachers are supposed to check that list before giving out food. It has always been a serious problem if a child is given something they can't have. What if they give a child who has a severe allergy a good they cannot have ? The teachers are in the wrong and need to be retrained ASAP.

I agree. I have a child with a tree nut allergy in my care. If I gave him anything laced with tree nuts, I would have to give him an epi pin. The teachers need to be more careful. Food allergies can be very serious.

Allergies should be posted in the classroom and teachers should monitor to ensure that children aren't sharing food/drinks.

Maybe because I have a child with severe food allergies I am overreacting but I personally would not feel comfortable leaving my child in their care.

Wow, that wouldn't be acceptable in a licensed in home daycare and I can't imagine it is considered acceptable in a licensed daycare center. I would have a VERY serious talk with the daycare director as your child's biggest advocate. :mad:

I would speak to your director as soon as possible. I know I had 2 children with a milk sensitivity they can have products with milk in them but drinks only lactose free milk. I also have done a coloured cup for him he knew to only out of that color. He was 3 and 4 when in my care. Now I have his brother who's the same way bUT only 16 months I'm still teaching him about his cup but I make sure other cups are not in reach. 2 year Olds may not understand about their allergies but can start being taught about them. Talk to your daughter start teaching her to only drink from her color. I have a boy who is 28 months (no aleragy but knows his colour for the cups no problem. I'm not saying to not take the milk issue up with staff because as the care givers it's their job to be aware of the issues and prevent mix ups. The staff is very lucky that your daughters reaction is mild. If your director dose not take issue with this and fix it so it will not happen again then you may be best off looking for a new job and care for your child. Sorry to hear that you are being put into this postion.