Modern Family’s Julie Bowen Talks About Her Son’s Allergies

Wednesday, September 26th, 2012

A few days after her Emmy win, I had a chance to chat with actress Julie Bowen but, following a quick congratulations, asked her to switch gears from an exciting moment in her life, to one that was downright scary. When Bowen’s oldest son, Oliver, was a toddler, his face and neck swelled up after eating a bit of peanut butter, and he began having trouble breathing. He was rushed to the emergency room. “My husband and I thought we knew a lot about children and food allergies,” says Bowen. But after his allergic reaction, “we realized how little we knew. That wasn’t even his first exposure to peanuts.” Luckily, Oliver, who is also allergic to bee stings, recovered quickly, but for Bowen, it was a wake-up call.

Now she’s taking part in the Get Schooled in Anaphylaxis initiative, which aims to increase awareness of and preparedness for allergic reactions in school. Bowen says that, in a way, it was helpful that Oliver had such a strong reaction: “We knew right away to take him to the emergency room.” But sometimes symptoms can be more subtle. Your child may experience dizziness, headaches, chest pain, trouble breathing, an itchy throat, nausea, or a rash, among other things.

The best way to cut down on the risk is to avoid allergic triggers, but of course, accidents can happen. So what can you do? First, know the most common causes of anaphylaxis: cow’s milk, eggs, nuts, fish, soybeans, and wheat, as well as non-food triggers such as insect stings, certain medications, and latex. Children who are younger than 3, have a family member with allergies or asthma, or other predisposition are more likely to develop allergies. If your child has one, find out if his school has a prevention and treatment policy, and meet with the school nurse to discuss an action plan in case of anaphylaxis. Even young children can look out for themselves, as well.

“Oliver is his own best advocate,” says Bowen, of her now 5 year old. “He never puts anything he’s never had before in his mouth without asking, and he always asks a grown-up to read him the ingredients label.” When I seemed impressed by his proactive attitude, Bowen told me that, for younger kids, having an allergy can make them feel cool and special. As they get older, they may start to feel like an outsider. That’s why Bowen makes sure her son understands his allergies are just another characteristic, like having red hair or blue eyes. She tells Oliver, “You can’t eat nuts and, if you get stung by a bee, you need to get immediate attention,” then moves on. “I don’t want it to define him, but I do want it to be part of his everyday awareness.”

Today, Oliver keeps a prescription epinephrine auto-injector with him wherever he goes, and Bowen makes sure that, if he’s not with her or her husband, somebody knows how to use it. Aside from that, she says, “We really encourage Oliver to do the things kids love, like taking part in recess and play dates.” (Or perhaps attending awards shows with his mom?) And with a few precautions, there’s no reason he can’t!

Photo: www.anaphylaxis101.com

Tinseltown Tots and Their Birthday Bashes

Thursday, February 23rd, 2012

This post was written by our friends at Celebrity Baby Scoop.

Everyone loves a fun children’s birthday party!

But in Hollywood, the kids get more than just hot dogs and homemade cupcakes! From
$100,000 extravagant affairs when Suri Cruise turned two, to themed and catered events like Stella McDermott’s third birthday, to Cruz Beckham’s costume party in Beverly Hills, Celebrity Baby Scoop invites you into the birthday bashes of Tinseltown’s tots.

Suri Cruise:

One of the most celebrated tots in Hollywood, Suri Cruise, is well-known for her extravagant birthday parties. Most people don’t spend thousands on their birthday parties in a lifetime, but Suri isn’t most people. Her second birthday party made headline news when parents Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes spent a reported $100,000 on the event. The theme was butterflies, and the lavish cake had an excessive $5,000 price tag alone! Catering set back the famous parents $45,000, and the sweets didn’t end with the cake. Reportedly, $230 was doled out for cupcakes from LA’s Sprinkles bakery as well.

Fast forward a few years where we spotted the mini fashionista celebrating her fifth birthday with a lavish tea party alongside mom and dad at their Beverly Hills mansion last April. Wearing a pink dress and turquoise shades, Suri – famous for her fashionable duds, heels and makeup – sat at the head of the table, surrounded by siblings Bella, then 18, and Connor, then 16, and other guests.

Mama Katie talked about the party plans a few weeks prior to the lavish event. “This is my favorite day of the year,” the Dawson’s Creek alum said. “So we’re gonna have a little tea party, and I like to girl it up.”

Rumor has it that Tom splurged – big time – on his little girl. “Tom decided to add $5 million — in honor of her milestone birthday — to Suri’s trust fund,” a family insider said. “She already has several million in the fund.”

Harlow Madden:

Harlow Madden, the daughter of Nicole Richie and Joel Madden, celebrated her 4th birthday on January 16th at the COOP in Sherman Oaks, Calif. This is the same children’s play space where Ashlee Simpson and Pete Wentz threw Bronx Mowgli’s third birthday.

The Toy Story-themed bash was attended by 35 kids, and all were treated to a visit from the Pixar film’s characters Woody, Jessie and Buzz.

Also in attendance was Jennifer Meyer, the wife of Spider-Man star Tobey Maguire, and their two kids Ruby, 5, and Otis, 2. Uncle Benji Madden arrived right after the arrival of Buzz Lightyear and Jessie from Toy Story.

“Harlow started crying when everyone sang happy birthday and Joel said she was crying tears of joy,” an onlooker said of the 4-year-old, who munched on pizza and juice, along with a sugar-free Cake Diva confection, at the bash. “Everyone had a blast and Joel and Nicole said it was their best kids party yet,” the insider added.

 Simone Lynn Masterson-Horn:

Auntie Tori Spelling sure knows how to throw a party!

Simone Lynn Masterson-Horn, whom is lovingly referred to as “Nuggy” by her dads ‘The Guncles’ – Scout Masterson and Bill Horn – celebrated her first birthday in style at The Carousel at Santa Monica Pier.

Thanks to BFF Tori Spelling who helped plan the party, it was a day to remember! Joined by 60 friends and family, including godmother Spelling and her family, Ali Landry and Sasha Alexander, Simone enjoyed a raspberry and pink ‘Modern Circus’ themed bash. “Simone’s birthday was perfect – good friends, family, lots of fun on the carousal, and of course, cake,” her dads told Celebrity Baby Scoop. “Who doesn’t love birthday cake?! Simone’s now a BIG fan.”

The guests noshed on goodies from Grilled Cheese Patrol, Jenny Cookies and Sweet Lucie’s Organic Ice Cream Truck. The flowers were provided by The Bashful Rose and the invitations were created by Copper Willow Paper Studio. The birthday girl wore a dress by Luna Luna and treated her guests to gift bags from Gotta Have It.

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