OT - Suggestions for child in dd's class who is allergic to milk/peanut

[prcoamo]

I hope I don't get into any trouble w/ posting this off disney topic question but i need some advice.
For dd's (6 turning 7) birthday she requested that I make some cupcakes to bring into her class at school, however, there is a child in the class who is allergic to milk and peanut. Now in making the cupcakes I plan on using say Betty Crocker cake mix and I don't know if this will be ok. I'll be using standard eggs, water, oil in the cake mix but I don't kow if the powder itself will be a problem. And what about frosting? What are your suggestions as to how to approach this? Should i just not bring in cupcakes and substitute with something else? If so, what could i possibly bring in?
I certainly don't want the child to feel left out in anyway.

Many thanks

 

[NotUrsula]

Don't ask us, ask the child's mother. She will know what her child can and cannot tolerate. I'm sure your daughter's teacher will be happy to pass on a note for you.

 

[Stimpy]

Last year, DS had a child in his class with a severe peanut allergy. What I did was call the mother and tell her exactly what I was making. In my case, the mom said Betty Crocker was fine (but again, it's a different allergy, not sure about the milk part). She also was able to send in her own alternative for him if she had a day or two notice. I know she would send in 1 cupcake or treat just for him the day of a party if she didn't know what was being served.

You can try getting in contact with her or the teacher and just ask. I think the parents really appreciate knowing ahead of time so they can make the arrangements for their child. This way they have time to send in an alternate snack and their child won't feel left out b/c they couldn't have one of the birthday child's treats.

I would definately let someone know beforehand....just in case

 

[Twingle]

I agree - try to contact the child's mother. My son has a child in his class that has Celiac Disease, and her mother is always so appreciative when she knows a special event is coming up, so she can send in treats her daughter can eat.

If you don't have a way to contact the mom directly, talk to the teacher.

 

[NikP]

As a mother of a son with a peanut allergy, I would love if another parent would contact me to find out what is acceptable for my children. I am from Canada and I know that Betty Crocker mixes here have milk solids in them. Milk is a very tricky ingredient. It can be listed under many different names. So if you are not educated in all of these names please don't assume that there are not any milk products. Our school broad also does not allow baked goods from home. (A health and safety issue.)

A suggestion from Allergy Education classes is for students to bring in non food items for birthdays. eg pencils, stickers, birthday balloons etc. That way everyone can enjoy and no need to worry about food allergy.

 

[prcoamo]

Thanks for your reponses. I contacted the mother yesterday and am waiting for a return call. I just wanted to get an idea of what others did in a case like this.

Thanks again

 

[bartleby1]

That is wonderful that you thought enough to check with the parent. They will know best which hidden ingredients to look for.

BTW, I didn't have any betty crocker cake mixes in my closet, but I did check pillsbury and duncan hines and they both contain milk. Chances are betty crocker has milk in it also.

 

[rt2dz]

Betty Crocker & Duncan Hines are the exact same item, just under different names.

Thank you for contacting the parent. Those that have food allergies in the family really know what is best for each child. Some have milder allergies than others, so they can tolerate certain things, others not at all. Of course, I'm a person who not only never gets anything with peanut butter, but doesn't buy candy packaged with other candy that has peanuts (ie, reese company mix candy at Halloween) because some people are so allergic to peanut butter. I think it should be banned from schools. I digress, that is a whole differnt thread. I'll step off my soap box now.

 

[Wendy31]

My nephew is allergic to peanuts & eggs. When one of my children has a b-day party, I have a cake, but I also make Rice Krispie Treats as well. When I serve the cake, I serve it w/ the Rice Krispie Treats & ice cream (I buy ice cream that doesn't have eggs in it) - so that my nephew's plate looks almost like the other children's plates (just minus the cake). I've even decorated the Rice Krispie treats w/ icing to make them look more "special".

When he has a b-day party, his mom does the same thing - Cake & Rice Krispie treats.

So, Rice Krispie treats may be an option. (Check w/ the child's mother first, though.)

Also, I don't know how much trouble you want to go to, but you might could find a recipe for a cake batter that doesn't include milk ingredients - just water instead. For my DD's Strawberry Shortcake b-day party, we had a pajama party & served breakfast items - like stawberry pancakes. Just before the party started, I panicked because I hadn't checked the pancake mix ingredients, &, sure enough, the mix contained eggs. I always hate for a child to be left out or feel "different", so I really worrying about what I was going to serve my nephew. My mom arrived & said "No problem!" She mixed up her own pancake batter (flour, milk, a little vanilla, the strawberries - NO eggs) for my nephew, & his pancakes turned out better than the pancake mix.

 

[daisyduck123]

Teacher here....I would contact the child's teacher.

Definitely do not try to make something for the child yourself.

Whenever I have a student like that...I have his parent send in a big bag of "extra snacks" that are to be used whenever we have events like this in the classroom. Then the child can go pick one out.

Maybe the teacher has this or can just ask the parent to send in a treat for her child.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

You can get dairy/nut free mixes at a health food store--but definitely check with the child's mom. Perhaps she might even offer to provide a "safe" treat for her daughter so that she can still participate in the festivities.

 

[RuthLS]

Thanks for calling the mom!!

My son (3) has allergies and I can't tell you how many times parents have come over for a party or playdate at our house and have brought things he can not eat or even touch.

When we found out about his allergies, I made sure to tell all of our friends what they could and could not bring into our home. Kids at that age spill, leave crumbs, and even stuff food in places to be forgotten. And even after I told parents, they would still bring these things. One mom brought cashews and the child left them all over the carpet. It frustrated me to no end. I can't control what people eat in their own homes..and would just watch my son carefully. But I can control what comes into my home.

It amazes me that many people do not realize how serious a food allergy can be. My mom (who is Thai) said...well he can't have pnuts..but can he have pnut oil? I said he could die from his food allergies. And my mom sounded, as have others, surprised. Every food allergy is different, but I guess people assume that maybe a child will get sick or get a rash. Many children will stop breathing and die if they don't receive treatment.

Now we spend time with a select group of friends who are supportive and understanding. Sorry-this is just a very sensitive subject for me. I guess my long point was (as a mom with a son with allergies) that was very kind and understanding of you to go out of your way to call. I'm sure she has had to deal with a lot of people who weren't so sensitive.

If you are handy at baking there are many a recipe that don't include milk, eggs, or nuts. Do a google search.

Good luck!
Ruth

 

[Wish I lived in Fl]

Some of the Duncan Heines cake mixes and brownie mixes don't have milk, some of the pilsbury canned frostings don't have milk. But don't know if they are peanut safe.

Safest bet is the Mom sending in alternate snacks. My freinds do make Birthday cupcakes DD can have and i appreciate their taking care to include her but her milk intolerance and soy allergy are not lifethreatening.(knock on wood)

 

[rt2dz]

sorry, misread pp.

 

[CEDmom]

It's great that you contacted the mother. I'm sure she really appreciated it and chances are she'll send something in for him. One thing that you have to be careful with is even when you may exclude milk and peanuts from the cupcakes there's a possibility that the bowls, pans or utensils used could have residue from these products no matter how well they've been cleaned. I bet that's something parent's of an allergic child wouldn't want to chance.

 

[DeeCeeSW]

My DS has a peanut, tree nut and egg allergy, and has a mild lactose intolerance. I made cupcakes for his birthday this year with a Duncan Hines mix and used applesauce instead of eggs. We are also safe with Duncan Hines frosting (as far as nuts go). DS can tolerate regular milk in small doses so the mix doesn't negatively affect him.

I think it's wonderful that you have contacted the mother. I always feel bad for DS when he comes home and tells me there was a party in class (we are not told beforehand in his preschool) and that he could not have cake, etc. I normally send a snack in with him, but if I knew about the parties, I would send something extra special.

 

[rt2dz]

My DS has a peanut, tree nut and egg allergy, and has a mild lactose intolerance. I made cupcakes for his birthday this year with a Duncan Hines mix and used applesauce instead of eggs. We are also safe with Duncan Hines frosting (as far as nuts go). DS can tolerate regular milk in small doses so the mix doesn't negatively affect him.

I think it's wonderful that you have contacted the mother. I always feel bad for DS when he comes home and tells me there was a party in class (we are not told beforehand in his preschool) and that he could not have cake, etc. I normally send a snack in with him, but if I knew about the parties, I would send something extra special.

Ask the preschool teacher if she could give you a heads up. They know all the kids birthdays & should be happy to help you out. Heck, our preschool sends home a note in the beginning of the year to let parents know if there are food allergies in the class so if you send something in you can avoid those foods or let them know so they can contact the parent of the child with the allergy.

 

[DeeCeeSW]

Ask the preschool teacher if she could give you a heads up. They know all the kids birthdays & should be happy to help you out. Heck, our preschool sends home a note in the beginning of the year to let parents know if there are food allergies in the class so if you send something in you can avoid those foods or let them know so they can contact the parent of the child with the allergy.

This is our second year and they never give us a heads up about the birthday parties, only the holiday parties. We are responsible for letting them know about our children's allergies at the beginning of the year but they do not pass this info. on to the other parents. They do have a no nuts policy. Reading your post makes me realize how my preschool is lacking in certain respects--and they have been around here for 30 years! I have no idea why I haven't asked for a list but I will do that now. Thanks!

And to the OP, I have recipes for milk, egg and nut-free chocolate chip cookies plus others. My DS drinks soy milk and there are always great recipes on his Silk cartons!

 

[Selket]

I just wanted to add how great it is that you are so considerate to contact the mom/dad and find out what you can make or let them know in advance so they can send in a substitute snack. My younger DS (age 4) isn't in school yet but not only is he extremely allergic (touch allergic) to peanut but he is a type 1 diabetic. I hope all parents will be as understanding as you are!

 

[McKelly]

I would just like to say that is nice of you to take into consideration the child's allergy. I do the same. However, there are plenty of parents who don't, and I am guessing that this child has realized that this is a part of life by now, and is used to this type of situation.

I am a GS leader and I have a peanut allergy in my troop and have sent countless letters home to parents (they rotate on bringing a snack in), reminding them to bring in a peanut free snack because of an allergy we have, but they forget and bring it in anyway. I have to keep a bag of non-peanut snacks with my stuff because of this. The girl is perfectly fine with this and it doesn't bother her at all that she is not receiving the same snack.

My point is, if you had a cute idea for cupcakes or something that you wanted to make for your child, I would go ahead and do it and just bring in something else special for the allergic child. You might run into the kids wanting the other thing, but I am guessing by this late in the school year, the kids are aware of the child's allergy and are not going to say anything about it.