Reason #45 – I risk my baby’s life out of curiousity
Reason #45 – I risk my baby’s life out of curiousity
Jul 20They say “curiousity killed the cat.” I say “curiousity could have killed my son.” To-may-to, to-mah-to, right?
Just think how many lives have been lost to science so we can have vaccines, plastic surgery and Fugu fish. Just sayin’
I recently took C on a 6-hour train ride to the beach. It should have only lasted 2, but I missed a connection twice and almost took a train in the wrong direction through entirely no fault of my own. We were on the last stretch, and I had run out of patience ideas for entertaining C, who had been having the worst day ever*. I was exhausted, he was exhausted, and we still had an hour to go. As if sent by the Norse gods, a kind lady sitting across from us offered us some strawberries. I accepted beamingly.
And then I gave C one.
Post facto, I learned this from StrawberriesWeb:
Allergy to strawberries is characterized by a complex of symptoms in the mouth, known as OAS, or Oral Allergy Syndromes.
This complex of symptoms typically consists of allergic reactions to the throat and mouth, such as itching, swelling and paresthesia to the oral cavity (…)
In rare cases, some subjects may develop more severe symptoms such as urticaria, dermatitis and itching, asthma, rhinitis, as well as systemic and digestive symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and cramps.
Some cases of life-threatening conditions have been reported, such as anaphylactic reactions and asphixia due to the impossibility of breathing.
Post facto, I also chanced across a chart, charmingly named “Forbidden Baby Foods to Avoid“, which states in no uncertain terms:
Please note that the current recommendation for introducing strawberries was after a baby has reached 12 months of age. Recommendations for introduction of [fresh] strawberries have changed to anytime from 6-12 months.
These are some questions I should have asked myself before I gave him the berries in question:
- How old is my boy again?
- Is he allergic to strawberries?
- If he has an allergic reaction, do I have any way to deal with it?
- Is a speeding train in the middle of rural Denmark after 5 hours of travelling hell REALLY the best place to find out if C has a life-threatening allergy to strawberries?
- Can I even say “allergy” in Danish? How about “I need a doctor”? Or “Somebody stop me before I give my baby a potentially lethal snack”?
C ate 3 strawberries, leaves and all, and I’m glad to announce they didn’t kill him made him stronger.
Next, Fugu fish!
*He is 9 months old and already has an Official Worst Day of his Life. I’m a crap mom all right.
You won't have to wait long – I am GAGGING for another child to mistreat. I just need to find an appropriate stud.
I'm going to reach 1000 in half the time after I have #2!
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Your blog is so funny. Just wait until you add multiple children. That's when the fun begins. LOL.
Hi from SITS.
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I love your blog. Seriously.
Hi from SITS!
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Loving your blog ! I am from the 31DBBB challenge.
I am looking forward to tomorrow’s installment – more laughs please ;o)
Cai x
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Hey, a real photographer! Maybe you can help us make a proper portfolio for C next time we're in the UK? Also, I hope you are not mocking my poor photo skills when you say “more laughs please”! ;)
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I'm here from 31DBBB Challenge, and I LOVE your blog! It's hilarious, and I agree that this is so cool because it's a unique take on mommyblogging.
My son was probably around the same age when I came home to find my hubby feeding him peanut butter cup ice cream. Oops.
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Well, there you go – one potential allergen you don't have to worry about anymore. Before I let my eldest try shellfish for the first time I got directions to the nearest hospital (we were on vacation), had benadryl on the counter, and put my car keys and insurance card in my pocket – talk about being prepared for the worst!!
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ofthesea Reply:
July 21st, 2010 at 7:42 am
Wow! Cautious mama FTW! :)
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My guess is about 3 years, if I miraculously manage to continue posting daily! :)
Also, I like the way you think!
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your post made me laugh – I'm glad everything turned out okay! I think we all made mistakes like that when are kids were younger! I would have given my daughter the strawberries too! He lived and your not a terrible mom ;)
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visiting from the challemge. ive already added your blog to my reader. I love your funny posts.. great uplifter
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Your post is awesome. Love your sense of humor. Very much like me in that I don't think of things until after the fact – like things that may just have been the stupidest thing at the time. But, hey, he lived. It's all good!
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I would have done that too!
Hi! Stopping by from MBC. Great blog.
Have a nice day!
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I'm visiting via the 31DBBB challenge…and I love the concept of your blog. It's a creative take on a mommy blog. Wonder how long it will take you to reach reason 1,000! As to feeding kids foods too early, etc., I always say if it didn't kill me, it won't kill them!
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C adores mango. And strawberries. He's had chocolate, root beer, fast food from various chains, Jack Daniels steak (SUPER RARE) and last Sunday he even had a few spoonfuls of my Oreo Hurricane.
He'll probably break in a rash because of something ridiculous like celery.
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Oh, after that ride “train” has become a 4-letter word in our vocabulary. *shudder*
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Yup, something I would do for sure! Once, a woman gasped as I fed my six month old mango slices. He loved them, I just kept popping them in.
Apparently mangoes are as bad as strawberries. She looked ready to call CPS. Especially when I shrugged casually and said, “Oh, he's been eating them a couple of weeks now. Seems fine to me.”
It's the surprises that get you though … Cameron was fine with all of the typical allergy stuff. F-I-N-E. It was the poppy seed paste in a muffin that made him go all anaphylactic-y. Where was the woman to warn me of that one???
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Haha. Oh dear! But it totally sounds like something I would do.
And that train ride sounds like my life on a regular basis. MAN what a headache!
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The beach? I've taken the boy to Europe! Twice! I don't have the slightest concern for his wellbeing, or so my mother says.
That said, they swore it would be an easy 2-hour ride with one connection. I'm NEVER falling for that one again!
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Thanks for leaving a comment NOW – it's been a “tumbleweed day” here at chez 1000!
And hey, if you never noticed then it surely did no harm. I'm adding that to my ever-growing list of excuses ;)
How old are your twins? They look younger than my babasaurus, but your photos may have been old?
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LOL! Well, could have been worse. Could have been raining. Wait, WAS it raining? And kudos to you for taking him on a train ride to the beach; mine are old enough to (almost) take care of themselves and I don't think I'd attempt that. Granted, we're a couple DAY train ride to the beach, but still don't think I'd try it. LOL
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I actually came across your blog yesterday from twitter and giggled through a couple of your posts but didn't have time to leave a comment.
As I was reading this my jaw dropped and I thought, oh crap, have I given my boys strawberries? I had no idea. I guess if I did, it was ok, because they are fine. :) We all have stupid mom moments, BELIEVE me. I think your blog is so clever and quite funny. Being a mom is hard!
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