Welcome to the Black Allergy Mama (BAM) blog. The purpose of BAM is to establish a community for parents of children with allergies. Being a parent to two lovely girls, one with food allergies and the other without, I understand the significance of relying on each other for support. At Black Allergy Mama, I share recipes that accommodate allergies, insightful tips I’ve gathered on my own path, and valuable resources that have aided me on my journey as a parent of a child with allergies. My ultimate wish is for you to discover something here that will assist you on your own journey.
We were overjoyed when our first daughter, Emory, entered our lives back in 2018. However, at just four months old, she started showing signs of food allergies. What made it even more intriguing was the fact that she was exclusively breastfed until she reached nine months. This meant that the allergens she reacted to were actually passing through my breast milk. It’s hard to count how many times her pediatrician dismissed her symptoms as “baby acne” instead of eczema, trying to reassure us that there was nothing to worry about. On top of that, we received countless articles from well-meaning friends and family, emphasizing the rarity of allergens transferring through breast milk. But after experiencing several frightening flare-ups and allergies manifesting, my husband and I made the decision to take her to a pediatric allergist for testing.
Following a skin prick test (SPT), we discovered that Emory was allergic to the Top 8 most common allergens, pollen, and even pets. This revelation completely turned our lives upside down. However, I was determined to continue our breastfeeding journey and made the commitment to eliminate all allergens from my diet. We even had to say goodbye to our beloved pet cat and thoroughly clean our home from top to bottom. Little did we know that this was only a part of the solution.
Over the past five years, we’ve worked tirelessly to create a safe environment for Emory to grow and thrive. We’ve devoured every manual, sought advice from every expert, and scrutinized every food label in the hopes of gaining more knowledge on how to keep our daughter safe. Emory teaches us so much every single day. It’s incredible to witness her conquer new milestones and witness her growth. As parents, we were constantly on edge during her infancy, worried about every little thing, from her first cold to her diet. However, we’ve started to relax a bit now, and it feels amazing. Emory is evolving into her own little person, complete with her own emotions, feelings, and sense of humor. Not a day goes by without her saying or doing something that leaves us doubled over in laughter, whether she realizes it or not.
As her mom, I bear a tremendous responsibility to ensure that she grows up confident, healthy, and, above all, loved. Our journey together may have its painful moments, but today, I approach it all with an open heart and an open mind.
The more we realize how much we have in common, the stronger we can all be for one another.
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