DCP Who Is 4 Weeks In Now Says That Her 2yo Seems Sensitive To Gluten And Dairy

[trix23]

The kid is easy. I can accommodate vegetarians but vegans by allergy is hard for me.... and gluten? Oy.

I don't serve dairy too often, bit it's often enough that it would be an issue.

I'm thinking of telling them that I need actual allergy testing done to confirm and that if so, they will need to supply food for him while here (I make all food) or that their rate will be going up to accommodate his food needs.

Input?

[Ariana]

I have two kids who are sensitive to gluten and dairy and it doesn't show up on allergy tests unfortunately. Only true allergies show up. Sensitivities are a reaction that is not life threatening like stomach upset, eczema or rashes (what my kids experience).

I would ask that they provide the food they need as you cannot purchase those items or increase their rate so that you can purchase the items (which cost considerably more than normal products). I am a milk free home so parents who want their kids to drink milk purchase it for them. To me this is the same type of situation.

[EntropyControlSpecialist]

I have two kids who are sensitive to gluten and dairy and it doesn't show up on allergy tests unfortunately. Only true allergies show up. Sensitivities are a reaction that is not life threatening like stomach upset, eczema or rashes (what my kids experience).

I would ask that they provide the food they need as you cannot purchase those items or increase their rate so that you can purchase the items (which cost considerably more than normal products). I am a milk free home so parents who want their kids to drink milk purchase it for them. To me this is the same type of situation.

Yes, this is a great route to go.

I am gluten free (Celiac Disease) as is my daughter (she has the gene for Celiac Disease but no formal testing done as it would be pointless since she has always been gluten free). Many people are gluten intolerant, which is different than having Celiac Disease. I wouldn't be surprised if she is correct.

I'm on the food program and it isn't legal, from what I recall, to charge a higher rate for dietary differences. Having them provide ALL food, so it isn't cross contaminated and the extra expense is on them, would be the easiest route to take.

[trix23]

She just asked to omit egg noodles for tomorrow's lunch and the homemade bagel pizza snack for Thursday....

Should I omit when it's easy or just tell them that they'll need to bring a lunch/snack that day? Or every day?

[childcaremom]

Yes, this is a great route to go.

I am gluten free (Celiac Disease) as is my daughter (she has the gene for Celiac Disease but no formal testing done as it would be pointless since she has always been gluten free). Many people are gluten intolerant, which is different than having Celiac Disease. I wouldn't be surprised if she is correct.

I'm on the food program and it isn't legal, from what I recall, to charge a higher rate for dietary differences. Having them provide ALL food, so it isn't cross contaminated and the extra expense is on them, would be the easiest route to take.

Same. I do not provide allergen free meals/special diet meals. If families want/need something different than what is offered then they need to provide it. I do not charge extra but do not charge less.

[daycare]

Are you on the food program ?

[EntropyControlSpecialist]

She just asked to omit egg noodles for tomorrow's lunch and the homemade bagel pizza snack for Thursday....

Should I omit when it's easy or just tell them that they'll need to bring a lunch/snack that day? Or every day?

I would provide her with the week's menu. If she wishes to substitute something in place of something else then she is welcome to bring it and do so. But, she cannot substitute an apple for the egg noodles. She would have to substitute another GRAIN for that grain and another GRAIN for the pizza snack grain. I'd have extra bananas/baby carrots on hand as the second part of the snack on days she is replacing a grain product and you're doing something that combines two things (like a pizza bagel).

[trix23]

She texted this morning that I seem to make pasta a lot..... I do it maybe once or twice a week with tons of veggies. It's not like I'm serving Mac n cheese for lunch. Last week i made pasta primavera (mushrooms, onions, tomatoes, spinach, Alfredo sauce, pasta). And this week I'm making a vegetarian chili mac.

[Leigh]

She texted this morning that I seem to make pasta a lot..... I do it maybe once or twice a week with tons of veggies. It's not like I'm serving Mac n cheese for lunch. Last week i made pasta primavera (mushrooms, onions, tomatoes, spinach, Alfredo sauce, pasta). And this week I'm making a vegetarian chili mac.

Because kids love pasta? Are you on the food program? If so, I'd ask her to fill out a special diet form that tells you what foods to eliminate and which ones to replace them with. If not, I'd just have her provide lunches every day. I'm not saying that these sensitivities don't exist, but I wouldn't let a parent diagnose them on their own. I'd insist on a doctor's statement.

[trix23]

Yesterday she submitted a doctor's statement. And I'm ok with it but I'm not going to be substituting GF and dairy-free then vegetarian for another (i mostly make vegetarian anyway so this one I don't mind).

[trix23]

I'm not on the food program but I'm a registered daycare in Florida.

[Blackcat31]

Yesterday she submitted a doctor's statement. And I'm ok with it but I'm not going to be substituting GF and dairy-free then vegetarian for another (i mostly make vegetarian anyway so this one I don't mind).

I would insist she supply ALL food and drink.
Provide her with food group requirement so you don't end up with a kid that gets a pudding cup and a cheese stick only for lunch.

Set some guidelines saying all meals and snacks must be provided and they must meet the food pyramid guidelines and include foods from each food group (she can substitute X for Y if her child can't have one or the other)

Seems like the easiest route to go in my opinion.

[trix23]

Whay exactly would you say?

[Leigh]

Yesterday she submitted a doctor's statement. And I'm ok with it but I'm not going to be substituting GF and dairy-free then vegetarian for another (i mostly make vegetarian anyway so this one I don't mind).

Gluten, dairy, and meat free? I'd probably just ask her to provide meals!

[Blackcat31]

Whay exactly would you say?

I would just be upfront and open about it. Special diets are too expense and time consuming for you to manage while providing your normal array of services.

"DCM, I am unable to accommodate special diets without added costs so you will need to supply all foods for both meals and snacks. This is the only way I am able to ensure DCG is provided with the foods she needs due to her sensitivities."