Does anyone tell extended family their child is allergic to dairy?

[PoetryLover]

I ask this question because my husband and I plan to raise our 5 month old son as a vegetarian. I personally would prefer to raise him vegan. Currently he is allergic to dairy, as he breaks out in a rash every time I have even a small amount of dairy and nurse him. So, assuming DH is on board with me, I'm thinking it would be "easier" to tell people he is allergic to dairy even when he's older and I'm no longer sure of that fact. DH's family are heavy meat and dairy eaters and I'm certain they would consider a vegan diet (although I personally know it to be super healthy) extreme. For them vegetarianism is extreme. I'm not so worried about my family accepting my decision on what to feed my son/future children. I am worried about them not respecting my decision and "sneaking" nonvegan food to my son. So I figure since he's currently allergic to dairy, I could just continue the allergic status--so that family is more supportive of the decision should DH and I decide to raise him vegan.

What are people's thoughts on this?

[BeanyMama]

We were in Atlanta a couple years ago visiting DH's family, who are preciously country and probably don't know what vegan means. We were lacto-veg at the time but kept the kids off the lacto, so told them the kids were sensitive to dairy and got some margarine and soy milk to use there; they were really sweet about keeping dairy away and I think it was an easier way to go than saying we didn't want to ingest their gross Walmart milk and hurt their feelings.

[caiesmommy]

Honestly..won't work. My ds DOES have a dairy sensitivity and people still sneak him dairy. Really...sadly people don't seem to care

[somegirl99]

I am vegan, lactose-intolerant, and allergic to dairy. I do emphasize the allergic part to people, especially in restaurants, it helps in some cases, but not all the time. Some people get it, some people don't.

I have had waiters try to tell me that butter was olive oil, parmesan cheese was garlic, and that "poached" means cooked with cheese melted on top.

[kittywitty]

Originally Posted by caiesmommy

Honestly..won't work. My ds DOES have a dairy sensitivity and people still sneak him dairy. Really...sadly people don't seem to care

I agree. My three youngest were allergic to dairy each for awhile and they got a lot of "poor you, can't wait until you can have dairy!" and sneaking dairy things to them. Your plan likely won't work. Especially when they find out the truth.