Insatiable Baby... Diet?!

[EchoMom]

So the 10month old baby that I said was insatiable, his mom is sending super super healthy food but even less!! It upsets me very much, it's not enough!

Today he has for 8 hours:
6oz bottle
1 Tbsp salmon
1 Tbsp broccoli
1 Tbsp avacado
1 Tbsp chex
3 Tbsp greek yogurt

1 Tbsp is only like one bite for this kid!!!

[Blackcat31]

Have you tried giving the mom the chart stating how much food her child is suppose to be eating in one day?

If all else fails, then I would entertain the possibility of reporting her as starving a child is neglect and if it sounds like mom has all the necessary info but is still not feeding her child properly then you need to report it.

I would also feed the child myself and bill the parent for the meals provided as I would not allow myself to part of this odd feeding schedule/menu.

[Unregistered]

So the 10month old baby that I said was insatiable, his mom is sending super super healthy food but even less!! It upsets me very much, it's not enough!

Today he has for 8 hours:
6oz bottle
1 Tbsp salmon
1 Tbsp broccoli
1 Tbsp avacado
1 Tbsp chex
3 Tbsp greek yogurt

1 Tbsp is only like one bite for this kid!!!

6oz bottle for a 10 month old and only 1 for 8 hours wow my 5 month old eats 6oz bottles she should bring him 2 8oz bottles for 8 hours as far as the food does she feed him breakfest at home? If so I would say the yogurt and cereal is good for a snack but she needs to up the amount she is giving him for lunch about 3tblsp each thing. I would tell her if she doesnt bring more formula and food you will start charging her extra and you will provide it.

[Truly Scrumptious]

Maybe she's done some kind of research to support her choices...she's so precise in her measurements.
I would probably sit down with her and ask her, her reasoning. If you are on the food program, I would tell her that you need a note from the doctor for your records showing that the foods and amounts she's chosen are acceptable for a child his age.

[Heidi]

Did you give her the meal requirement charts that were posted here from USDA?

I would ABSOLUTELY give a set to all your parents, as well as your meal schedule, and INSIST that either you provide food according to these requirements (and are compensated for it)...or they do. New Policy.


The poor little guy is not insatiable...he's starving! Mom might need to see a doctor herself. Sounds like some major OCD!

PS: Why not join the Food Program in your area and just provide meals?

[Fruitloops1]

So the 10month old baby that I said was insatiable, his mom is sending super super healthy food but even less!! It upsets me very much, it's not enough!

Today he has for 8 hours:
6oz bottle
1 Tbsp salmon
1 Tbsp broccoli
1 Tbsp avacado
1 Tbsp chex
3 Tbsp greek yogurt

1 Tbsp is only like one bite for this kid!!!

10m and the baby is eating Salmon? I thought no fish until at least a year?

Anywho, have you given her a print out of recommended serving sizes for a baby that age? I wouldn't be able to do it, knowing that they are hungry all day. I would either a. feed the baby more and not say anything to the mother (but that’s not right) or b. unfortunately for the baby, term them. Clearly you and the mother don't agree on how much for the baby to eat. I feel so bad for the little one.
Or maybe try talking to the mom. Are you licensed? Blame it on licensing that you are not allowed to feed the baby less? Unless she provides a doctors note? I guess this is the downside on all of the “hype” about obesity in childhood.
I used hype because I can’t think of a better word for it. If the baby is eating healthy foods and is limited or even NOT given any junk at all then shoot give them as much broccoli as they want.
Poor baby needs food to grow, and good fat is so essential for them and their brains.

[countrymom]

I have to agree about the measurements, it seems odd that she is giving him only 1 tbsp.
You either need to report to licesning or call cps and explain the situation. If this is what she is sending to you, what is she doing at home. Maybe if a public health nurse came in, do you have the childs dr, call them and tell them what is going on. Start leaving a paper trail. also document everything that this mom is bringing in.

[SilverSabre25]

I agree with the idea that if she's not listening to your information, then perhaps a phone call or two is in order. She is NOT feeding that child enough. He is starving and it is going to start affecting his development soon assuming it isn't already. Poor guy.

[youretooloud]

I had a parent who did this to me. But, fortunately she was 14 months old, and I told the mom that I couldn't whithold food while the other kids were eating a full meal in front of her. The mom said "this is enough for a full meal, and several snacks".

This mom measured out each bean, and weighed all the food on a food scale, then brought me a food scale to measure it out. They asked me each day how many tbs of each portion she ate.

One day, the dad had to work very late.... past our dinner time, so she ate dinner with us. Dad nearly freaked when he saw that she was eating pasta...and wanted to know how much she'd had, then wondered aloud how he was going to work that off of her before bed time.

My daughter babysat for her last week, and the only food she was allowed to eat (she's five now) was a small tray with some tuna, peas, and brown rice. Fortunately my daughter now remembers to eat a large meal before going over there, because they lock up all the other food.

[SilverSabre25]

I had a parent who did this to me. But, fortunately she was 14 months old, and I told the mom that I couldn't whithold food while the other kids were eating a full meal in front of her. The mom said "this is enough for a full meal, and several snacks".

This mom measured out each bean, and weighed all the food on a food scale, then brought me a food scale to measure it out. They asked me each day how many tbs of each portion she ate.

One day, the dad had to work very late.... past our dinner time, so she ate dinner with us. Dad nearly freaked when he saw that she was eating pasta...and wanted to know how much she'd had, then wondered aloud how he was going to work that off of her before bed time.

My daughter babysat for her last week, and the only food she was allowed to eat (she's five now) was a small tray with some tuna, peas, and brown rice. Fortunately my daughter now remembers to eat a large meal before going over there, because they lock up all the other food.

:confused: some people are so d*** weird...

[EchoMom]

I don't feel like I can confront her about it anymore and I don't feel like I can term her either. This is a mom I've posted about before, she's pregnant and deciding if she's going to bring me both of her babies at my new higher infant rate or go elsewhere/nanny/etc. So she may already be out the door, although not until November. If I term her I feel like she'll think I'm just trying to kick her out so I can get someone new in at the higher rate when I fill her spot.

I don't feel like I can confront her anymore because we've already had several several polite conversations about it.

I have been semi-secretly feeding the baby extra portions of food for months now and she wants it to stop.

I can't do food program because I'm legally unlicensed but all of the other parents did voluntarily agree to a slight rate increase and now no one packs anymore and I provide excellent freshly cooked nutritious foods to all the other kids except hers.

It makes me extremely uncomfortable feeding him so little when he has such a good appetite for healthy foods. My own 10month old son eats only a little, but that's because he's still nursing a ton so he's certainly getting plenty to eat still.

[Breezy]

At 10 months old the majority of his nutrition. Is still going to come from his formula. One bottle is NOT enough. If she was bringing you more bottles and that amount of food I maybe would be more understanding but ONE 6 ounce bottle?? That is ridiculous. She is starving him as others have said. I think if she doesnt see it, a phone call to someone else is in order. she needs to be educated.

[Truly Scrumptious]

I'm sorry, but I wouldn't allow any parent to have that much influence over my own business.
If I wanted to terminate her, then I would. I wouldn't care what she thought. I would sit her down and tell her the truth and she could draw any conclusions she wanted.

[Heidi]

I don't feel like I can confront her about it anymore and I don't feel like I can term her either. This is a mom I've posted about before, she's pregnant and deciding if she's going to bring me both of her babies at my new higher infant rate or go elsewhere/nanny/etc. So she may already be out the door, although not until November. If I term her I feel like she'll think I'm just trying to kick her out so I can get someone new in at the higher rate when I fill her spot.

I don't feel like I can confront her anymore because we've already had several several polite conversations about it.

I have been semi-secretly feeding the baby extra portions of food for months now and she wants it to stop.

I can't do food program because I'm legally unlicensed but all of the other parents did voluntarily agree to a slight rate increase and now no one packs anymore and I provide excellent freshly cooked nutritious foods to all the other kids except hers.

It makes me extremely uncomfortable feeding him so little when he has such a good appetite for healthy foods. My own 10month old son eats only a little, but that's because he's still nursing a ton so he's certainly getting plenty to eat still.

I totally understand your dilemma. If I were in your shoes, however, I would consider that this is actually a form of abuse (IMO), and that you are actually making yourself party to it. He is not recieving proper nutrition. Are you opening yourself up to being held responsible?

If a parent told you to hit their child, or lock them in a closet, or do some other thing that is abusive, you could not go ahead and do it and say "well, this is what I was told to do". The "authorities" would hold you responsible, and the "parent told me to" excuse would not wash.

I am NOT NOT NOT suggesting that you are an abusive person. What I am saying is that the mother is, in a sense, comitting abuse by withholding proper nutrition. She is asking you to be party to this. It's a very vulnerable position to put you in, and I think you need some legal type advice!

[Blackcat31]

I'm sorry, but I wouldn't allow any parent to have that much influence over my own business.
If I wanted to terminate her, then I would. I wouldn't care what she thought. I would sit her down and tell her the truth and she could draw any conclusions she wanted.

Also polite conversations are pointless if she isn't listening. :confused: I am sorry but a starving baby is neglect and if you don't address it then you are party to it....kwim?

I don't mean to sound harsh or cruel but seriously, what mom thinks about your motives (if you term) or about you (if you are direct and matter of fact about this) should have no bearing on the starvation of a child.

What if something happens to this child (failure to thrive, signs of starvation, etc etc.) who do you think is going to be blamed?

I know it is difficult to have the uncomfortable conversations with parents but for lack of better words.....you HAVE to do it no matter how uncomfy when it comes to the safety and well being of a child!!!!

It IS part of your job and part of the duties that come with being a child care provider. Just like poopy diapers.....no one wants to do it but it has to be done.