How To Train A Babysitter About Food Allergies in 3 Steps - By A Food Allergy Coach & Mom
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I know it can be terrifying thinking about your child having a food allergy reaction when you’re not there! So how in the world can you trust someone to look after them so you can have a date night or take a much-needed break? I’ve got a few tips in this post.
Hi there, I’m Corinna! I help severe food allergy parents keep their kids safe without missing out on life at home, school, at social events, and while traveling. I believe that food allergy families and kids deserve safe & fulfilling life experiences, and it’s my goal to help you get there!
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I’ll be honest—when my child was first diagnosed with food allergies, I thought others would step up and want to learn with me. I assumed people in our life—friends, neighbors, even other parents—would be, supportive, maybe even proactive.
But a lot of them weren’t supportive. Not when it came right down to the parts that make it hard like avoiding their favorite holiday foods, or understanding cross-contact/contamination.
I remember one moment that stuck with me. I was telling a friend about some of the things that included my daughter’s allergens (I admit, there were a lot). She was planning a casual get-together with the kids, and she asked how she could cook a safe meal. I started explaining, hoping it would turn into a helpful conversation.
Instead, I got a polite smile, maybe a shrug, and one of those comments like, “Wow, you’re getting pretty specific. I’m sure it’s fine if there’s just a small amount!”
I stood there, feeling this wave of isolation crash over me. That moment where it hits you—I might be the only one taking this seriously. Not because they don’t care, but because they don’t understand… and they’re not really interested in learning more.
It felt lonely. It even made me doubt myself for a second. But then I reminded myself—I’m not here to convince everyone. I’m here to protect my child.
And that’s why now, when I look for a babysitter or nanny or even talk to teachers and coaches, I don’t focus on whether they already know everything. I look for people who are willing to learn. People who ask questions. People who listen when I explain cross-contact or how to use an epinephrine auto-injector.
Because if they have the right attitude, I can teach them the rest.
So if you’re feeling like you’re carrying this whole food allergy thing on your own shoulders– I see you. But you’re NOT alone. So many of us have been there. But you can build a circle of people who listen, who care, and who step up.
Even if it starts with just one person.
This lead’s me to tip #1 when you’re finding and training a babysitter or Nanny:
Look for a Good Attitude Over Experience
Let’s start with this key question to ask any potential caregiver:
How would you take care of someone with a food allergy?
This question is really important, but don’t worry if they don’t know the answer right away. They can learn as long as they have a good attitude & desire to learn. That’s why I would hire them for their good attitude towards learning about food allergies instead of hiring them for ALREADY knowing how to manage food allergies. If they have a good attitude and willingness to learn, then you can teach them what they need to know.
2. Pick someone mature enough to make good decisions.
You may not want to go with the 12-year-old who just finished their babysitter’s course. Try looking up adult nanny services or look for mature teens in your neighborhood.
3. Train them well.
In the beginning, you may want to have them come over for an hour (paid) to go over your child’s emergency plan, where the epinephrine is kept, how to use it, and answer questions.
I highly recommend you go over scenarios with the babysitter and let them practice using trainers OR if you have them, expired epinephrine on an orange.
The cost of this additional training time will be well worth it, for your peace of mind.
You might be wondering, how do you explain food allergies?
There are so many myths and misconceptions about food allergies, but this is your chance to break through the myths and clearly explain food allergies to someone looking after your child.
You want to make sure the babysitter understands food allergies aren’t a lifestyle choice or a sensitivity but could be a true emergency. You want to make sure they understand the seriousness of it all.
To do this, I like to show them a copy of our Anaphylaxis Emergency Plan and go over it in detail. By using the Emergency Plan, you can be sure you don’t forget anything. You especially want to talk about the symptoms of anaphylaxis, and how to treat it with epinephrine.
A great way to bring this home is to go over specific scenarios of symptoms that could happen and ask the babysitter what they would do. Refer to the Anaphylaxis Emergency Plan for the possible scenarios and what to do.
You can go to this article about anaphylaxis from the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology for a clear description of symptoms, treatment, and prevention.
PRO TIP - I always have an expired EpiPen (or a trainer) that they can use to practice on an orange. Allowing them to “try it out” greatly increases confidence for them AND you! You can go over possible scenarios from the Emergency Plan with them for extra practice.
Don’t forget to talk about cross-contact and the fact that even a small trace of allergen getting into your child’s eyes, nose, mouth, or diaper area can cause a reaction. You may want to ask them not to bring outside food into your home and to only serve foods that you have already approved (see the next tip).
4. Make things as easy as possible.
Start by pre-making food or snacks that will be served while you’re away. You could also schedule your time away outside of eating hours so food isn’t an issue. Try an afternoon date or late dinner so you can feed the kids and leave afterward. Taking extra steps to make things as easy as possible for the babysitter will give you more peace of mind and increase safety.
Conclusion
Leaving your child with someone else for the first time is hard—even without food allergies. So please know that you’re not doing it wrong if you feel nervous. The goal isn’t to eliminate risk (we can’t)—it’s to give yourself the tools, systems, and people you need to make things easier, safer, and more doable.
And if no one has told you lately—you’re doing a really good job. 💛
What tips do you have for training babysitters? Comment below, or send me a message @friendlypantry on Instagram and let me know!
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Premium Resources:
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Get Over The Fear of Trying New Foods - Feel calm instead of nauseous so you can give your child the new foods your doctor recommended.
Calm Epinephrine Workshop - Help you and your child feel positive about the epinephrine injector so you never hesitate if it’s needed.
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