Preschool is a huge step in mommyhood, and food allergies definitely complicate this step. The decision to transition our baby boy from an at home nanny to preschool was made after months of praying for the right answer. Working from home, naturally keeping him home was much easier functionally and easier on my heart. However, preschool provides experiences that he can’t get at home. We want our son to be happy, healthy, and well rounded. Unfortunately, for mom, that means…baby needs to spread his wings a little 😫

One of the biggest worries, of my millions, about sending him to preschool was his food allergies. To this point, he is still not a rock star eater and his meals are generally cooked fresh. Additionally, I monitor any exposure to possible food allergies NONSTOP. How was I going to pack lunches that he would actually eat? And how was I going to control exposures or cross contamination?

I quickly learned a few things after getting him started at preschool. One, going to preschool is hard work. All of the prep is like having another job! Two, he will eat if he is hungry. Be assured that all of the teachers were warned about his grazing habits and they seemed unphased by it. And behold, he started eating with the other kids. However, it did take him two weeks before he would eat or drink anything at all at school. But, we got there! Three, it will be ok. Because, everything will always eventually be ok.

Below are a few tips that have made the transition to preschool smoother. There are also some great products and foods to help make the experience fun and a bit easier! Some of the links below are affiliate links.

Tips

• Ensure that the preschool and the teachers are aware of his allergies… like personally tell them…all of them!
• Keep a note in the lunch box about all food allergies – I printed one and “laminated” it using packing tape
• Test all foods at home before sending to school for ease of eating and palatability
• Finger foods are best

Useful Products

• Small food containers and ice packs  – Love this set:

• Sippy cups – I usually send a few daily.  Our dentist and pediatrician recommend these and the Little one love using them:

• Lunch box – ordered a PBK one and had it personalized – they are always having sales.
• Backpack – also ordered one on sale at PBK and had it personalized. This is great for leaving throughout the week with all the stuff they need and taking home at the end to wash everything.
• Paci and/or Lovey

• Blanket (Seasonal) – these two are my favorite! One for warm weather:
  

and one for cool weather:

• Fitted Sheet

• Labels – My friend recommended MabelsLabels.com … and I LOVE THEM…and we label everything for preschool! They have name labels as well as allergy labels.

Safe School Foods

• Fruit snacks

• Animal cookies – GF/DF:
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• Shredded chicken or turkey
• Fruit – cut as necessary
• Veggies – cut as necessary
• Wraps
• Eggs with or without DF cheese – we use Daiya brand
• Chicken Nuggets – we like the Applegate GF/DF version
• Hashbrown Crowns