Managing Severe Food Allergies in Children: A Parent's Guide

From "colic" that never eased to four pages of confirmed allergens, Susanna Peace Lovell recounts the first years of parenting her daughter, Arizona—years marked by nonstop crying, full-body eczema, and relentless advocacy. When a hypoallergenic formula finally brought relief around 18–19 months, Susanna could breathe—and begin reframing motherhood with compassion for her child and herself. She shares practical allergy survival tips (from table toppers to EpiPens), how autism diagnosis informed self-advocacy, and why community through We Are Brave Together mattered. This conversation serves as a guidepost for any parent navigating complex medical needs while preserving joy at home. You won't want to miss Katie and Susanna's conversation. 

 

Episode Timestamps:

• [03:45] Signs of Severe Food Allergies in Infants – From nonstop crying to full-body eczema, Susanna shares the earliest symptoms Arizona showed.
  
  

• [08:15] How Doctors Diagnosed Multiple Severe Food Allergies – The long journey to four pages of allergy results and what that meant for daily life.
  
  

• [18:30] Switching to Hypoallergenic Formula – How finding the right formula finally brought relief after months of suffering.
  
  

• [22:45] Tips for Parents Navigating Severe Food Allergies – Compassion, picky eating strategies, and surviving dining out with kids.
  
  

• [26:50] Teaching Kids Self-Advocacy with Food Allergies – How Arizona learned to protect herself and why autism shaped that process.
  
  

• [30:40] Finding Support for Parents of Kids with Severe Allergies – The role of We Are Brave Together and community in surviving medical parenthood.

 

Resources mentioned:

• We Are Brave Together (caregiver community Jessica Patay founded).
  
  

• Susanna's Website
  
  

• Follow Susanna on Instagram
  
  

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