Peanut Butter and Baby

I freaked out because my daycare gave my 10 month old PB cracker yesterday for snack.  Thank God he didn't get sick.  Talked to daycare today and they said they always give PB to children?  What the heck?  A, I crazy to freak out?  I don't want to be a trouble mom but I thought everyone knows that they are not suppose to give PB to children under 1 or older.  Should I call the director?
Dolly

[cantwait4baby]

not even for that - how the heck did they know if your child was or was not allergic to it.  A lot of kids are allergic to peanuts and it can have a fatal outcome.  They put warnings on everything about peanuts.

[pixijal]

I agree w/you.  Pb is a high allergy food, and it should not be given to your child.  If this is the case, are they feeding him honey too?  Geez, they should know better.  At least he is 10months, not 6.  I would talk to the director.

[DollChina]

YEAH....should I call even my son didn't get sick?

[pixijal]

That's up to you.....He didn't have a reaction to the PB, but it makes me wonder what else they may be giving them.  There are a few high allergy foods, and he very well may have a reaction to one of those if they just feed them anything.  It is a personal choice.  

[DollChina]

Guess what, she said they give it to everybody in babyland unless I request not to.....Am I crazy?  They are babies, how do you know they are not allergic to it?

[deanne11]

I would call and make your concerns known.  My DD had 6 teeth at 6 months so her daycare decided to give her  one of those baby biscuits....I freaked out....caused all kinds of trouble.  I remember she was only drinking milk and had cereal at the time.  I was so scared she could have choked and they never even asked if it was okay.

When we moved back to PA, her daycare her wouldn't even allow Peanuts in the school....not PB sandwiches...nothing.  It was one item that they banned from parents bringing in their child's lunches.

[cantwait4baby]

My co-worker is not allowed to make her daughter PB&J sandwiches either.  She hates it because it is so easy but the school wont allow it due to teh allergy of other kids.  

Doll i would be sure to bring all this up to them esp with the peanuts thank God your baby is ok but what is another baby is allergic and their parents dont even know what is going on.

[DollChina]

[AndiJ78]

It takes more than one exposure to cause a reaction, but I agree it is very risky! MAny schools and daycares are limiting peanuts to the severeity or the reaction.

[pixijal]

What kind of response is that?
My nephew had a PB & J sandwich at 12months old, and had an allergic reaction.  My sister now has to have an epipen on hand in case he accidentally ingests pb again.  I would be TICKED.
You need to request that he doesn't get those foods.  They should operate the other way around, and only feed it to those who ok it.  It's not like there isn't anything else to eat!  WOW!

[DollChina]

No kidding.  She just acted like I am making a big deal?  

[pixijal]

That concerns me.  Maybe you need to print out research on food allergies, and drop it off as a FYI.

[Me2mommy2b]

What the hell?  What's wrong that place?  Are they not aware of the outcomes?  What if you forgot to mention that he's allergic or since you've never given it to him yet, how would you know that he is?  They sound really weird and irresponsible.  The least they could've done is call you to double check.  I'd be p***ed if they did something like that to DD.

[wonderme]

I agree...some allergies don't show up the first or second time you are exposed.

And, you have a roomful of kids/babies that their allergy status is unknown...our schools don't allow it in the classroom of known allergies (elementary school) and have peanut-free tables in the cafeteria.  And, peanuts are in more things than a lot of people realize -- cereals, cookies, etc. -- and some things don't have peanuts but come in contact with peanuts in the manufacturing process, which can pose a problem for someone with a serious allergy.

The other BIG issue is that peanut butter also poses a huge choking hazard.  My ped recommended waiting until 4 or 5 YEARS old b/c so many kids choke on it...it's really sticky and gets stuck at the top of their mouth or could block an airway.  I suppose there isn't that much pb in a cracker, but for a little one it could be too much.

I would ask them for a list of foods that they feed and then let them know that they are only allowed to give the foods that you have okayed.  Their ignorance is no excuse for them to be feeding these children anything they want.

Good luck!

[DollChina]

Hey girl, congrats on the walking!  Now she can get into more trouble!
Gavin is trying so hard to.
I am very shocked and concerned with the PB.  I am doing some research on the law.  It's rediculous.  I am not trying to make a big deal but what if another baby was fed PB and become very ill?

[Me2mommy2b]

Thanks.  We're excited for more action :))  She's such a trouble maker that I can already picture what's in store for us.

[girliegrl1723]

i just enrolled edward in daycare and his first day was monday. at the orientatio, they said you are not allowed to bring peanuts of ANY kind into the daycare whatsoever. even for yourself if you are a worker. also, my mom works in the public school system and as of last year or so, the same rule applies. no peanuts or peanut products are given to children, brought in by staff or given to the kids to bring in by parents. they cant even pack a pb and j sandwich for thier kids to have for lunch. i live in nj, so thats how it is here. surprising about your daycare.

how long has ur little one been in daycare. edwards first two days have been rough, on him and me. have you both adjusted yet? im starting to think we never will :o(

[AnnieBrooke]

I'm really surprised that any daycare except maybe someone running it out of their home who never reads anything about kids would let peanuts be on the menu in any form.  You're right, what if they hand it out to some kid who is allergic and the mom didn't know yet?  I would make a big stink.  Maybe the law hasn't gotten around to this one yet, but good daycare policy has.  If your daycare is part of a chain, you should protest all the way to the top.

[AnnieBrooke]

You asked if you should contact the director of the daycare.  I would DEFINITELY write to the director.  Even if the entire daycare is stupid about peanuts, the person you spoke to should not have acted like "What's the big deal?" to a concerned parent.  And of course, they should also limit peanuts.

[DollChina]

Gavin has been there for about 2.5 months.  We ae doing ok .  I'd like for him to be home but he needs the interaction.
I am trying to research if there are policies like that in place in MO but it's taking me no where...

[DollChina]

I did call the director and she is the one who has the no big deal attitude.  She said the menu is posted if you don't want your kid to have certain foods, then tell them....
Ugh.  
The day care is suppsingly great given the fact that it's part of our Catholic hospital facility and is managed by Lafyette House.

[DollChina]

I spoke to the director's boss and she totally agreed with me and will have a meeting tomorrow and she plans on bringing this up.
I am worry about my baby will be treated different after this...

[tiredbuthappy]

i worked in daycare for years. even if we disagreed with parents on something, or had problems with them, we would NEVER treat the child differently. if you suspect they treat your child differently, then they are completely unprofessional and should be reported. but i don't think they would.

and you're 100% right about peanut butter. i worked in a nut-free center because of the prevalence of allergies. we also requested that parents never send a food for their child that they hadn't eaten at home several times since like the others said, allergies don't always show on first exposure.

we were all required to be trained in recognizing allergic reactions and using an epipen, in addition to having infant/child cpr and first aid.

[*heartagram*]

I would have def freaked. My kids school banned PB because of the allergies etc. If you send PB to school with your kids they get you in huge ****.

[ImmortalOne]

I would totally make a phone call.  Peanuts in general are a high allergy food and can cause death... they should know this, and that daycare shouldn't ever give it to young children without knowing allergies and without talking to parents first. Period.

[deanne11]

I just want you to know I feel your pain.  My DD was in the 2 yr old room last year and the teachers were so unprofessional and they did treat her different because I was an 'involved' parent.

I'm sorry, I ran a child care prior and there was no way on God's green earth I would have allowed what went on in that center/2yr old room.

The teachers were at times 'mean' to her.  I was ticked....and I'd cry all the time.  One day, the teacher told her she's wears boys things and she didn't like it.  She loved 'Buzz Lightyear' So she got sneakers with him on it....also 'Cars' stuff.....They kinda made fun of her.

She'd come home so upset and say, her teacher (she'd call her by name) 'Says she shouldn't wear boys things that she's a girl'.....It took everything in my power not to punch Ms. Mind Your Own Business in the Face'

We went shopping for new sneakers this past weekend and she saw new 'Buzz' shoes and say, I can't get them because they are boys and the teacher will be mad at me.

We are stuck.  We live in a farm community and this is the only child care center connected to her soon to be elementary school.....I'm so disgusted with those teachers.

But, good news....Her 3 yr old teacher is the best and she loves my DD....and my DD loves going to school again.

[AnnieBrooke]

You should talk to the head of the preschool about the teachers in the 2 yr. room.  That really stinks.