Parents are often tempted to undersell the seriousness of their child’s allergies and asthma for fear that they will not be able to find a childcare provider willing to accept their child.
However, nothing could be more dangerous for your child’s health or more concerning for your childcare provider.
With planning, open communication, and understanding, you can coordinate your childcare needs with confidence.
- Do your homework. Have a clear understanding of your baby’s health needs. Organize and pack medications for ease of use by those entrusted with your little one’s care. Demonstrate how to use medications given routinely and those used only in emergency settings.
- Have emergency phone numbers ready at the time of the interview. Discuss early warning symptoms that signal an episode is underway and requires immediate treatment.
- Keep both the home and childcare environment free of allergens and irritants known to provoke symptoms.
- Use routine medications as prescribed to prevent the return of symptoms.
- Learn the facts about asthma and allergies. Knowledge is power over symptoms that otherwise will control your life.
- Listen to your intuition. It’s your baby’s way of communicating unspoken needs.
