Started New Infant Today...

[LeslieG]

I don't know how many times I tell myself that I'm not going to take babies anymore… but then I do… when will I learn?!?

This new little one is 4 months old and has demanded my attention all morning which has led me to not be able to do any activities with the older kids. I hope that she gets used to it here and that all changes!

I am a little concerned, though, because she won't eat! Her dad said she last ate at 6:30am this morning. I tried a bottle at 9:00am and 10:00am. She just screamed and wouldn't eat. I tried again at 10:30am and she drank about 2oz and then screamed. I know she's probably not used to it here. Also, she is breastfed at home (and her dad forgot to bring breast milk, so she is on formula today).

Should I be concerned?

[taylorw1210]

I've promised myself NO MORE INFANTS, too, but then was just told one of my families are TTC and I don't want to pass them off 'cause I love them. =/

My current BF baby is 6 months old and she goes through spurts of not taking a bottle, especially if it's been a few days since she's attended. Just keep trying as often as you can and if she absolutely refuses, I would call mama and see if she can come nurse her or take her home and try again tomorrow.

:hug: Been there, still doing it - it can be frustrating!

[nannyde]

The baby isn't nipple or formula trained. Have the parents feed the baby a bottle of formula in front of you when they arrive.

Tell them they must SHOW you the child can eat a bottle and eat formula. Until then the child can't return. You can't have a baby in your house who can't eat. It's not your job to work with the baby. It's their job to prepare the baby by making sure it can take a FULL serving bottle no problem in front of you.

[daycarediva]

The baby isn't nipple or formula trained. Have the parents feed the baby a bottle of formula in front of you when they arrive.

Tell them they must SHOW you the child can eat a bottle and eat formula. Until then the child can't return. You can't have a baby in your house who can't eat. It's not your job to work with the baby. It's their job to prepare the baby by making sure it can take a FULL serving bottle no problem in front of you.

I would call for pick up if a 4mo refused to eat. I would also do as NannyD suggested and have them show you she is nipple and formula trained.

I don't do babies anymore. I have one family with an infant one place and kept their preschooler with me. No way, no how unless I could do ONLY babies. In my state, that would limit me to 2, and I could do that without being licensed so it just isn't worth my time.

[Heidi]

Ok. Leslie! You need to tell them tonight that she is NOT prepared for childcare.

She won't sleep and she won't eat. They need to teach her both, and then you would be happy to take her back into your program.

This situation is NOT going to work unless you take action immediately.

You dont; have to say it to them, but you are not being paid to take care of this child one-on-one. She is in group care, and they are paying accordingly.

As for you, :hug:..

[Blackcat31]

Ok. Leslie! You need to tell them tonight that she is NOT prepared for childcare.

She won't sleep and she won't eat. They need to teach her both, and then you would be happy to take her back into your program.

This situation is NOT going to work unless you take action immediately.

You dont; have to say it to them, but you are not being paid to take care of this child one-on-one. She is in group care, and they are paying accordingly.

As for you, :hug:..

+1

Totally agree!!! This poor baby is NOT prepared for daycare and NONE of this should have been placed on you.

You need to give this issue back to the parents.

[spud912]

I remember taking an infant last summer who would not eat more than an ounce at a time or sleep longer than 15-20 minutes. It ended up being too difficult to balance the older kids and continuously try different things with the infant and I unfortunately had to term . It was really hard cause I had this family for awhile and loved them and they had to pull their older child as a result. I really hope it resolves itself soon for you, but if not, don't drag it out too long or the situation may make everyone miserable!
:hug:

[blandino]

The baby isn't nipple or formula trained. Have the parents feed the baby a bottle of formula in front of you when they arrive.

Tell them they must SHOW you the child can eat a bottle and eat formula. Until then the child can't return. You can't have a baby in your house who can't eat. It's not your job to work with the baby. It's their job to prepare the baby by making sure it can take a FULL serving bottle no problem in front of you.

I had read this advice many times, and always thought what a smart idea it is. Then after my last infant (drink and oz, stop and play, 10 min later scream for more), I WILL do it from now on. That way, it lets the parents know that we aren't going to do the drink-stop-drink-stop every 20 minutes. Also it puts the responsibility on their shoulders, instead of us feeling bad that the baby wouldn't drink.

[Tdhmom]

I don't know how many times I tell myself that I'm not going to take babies anymore… but then I do… when will I learn?!?

This new little one is 4 months old and has demanded my attention all morning which has led me to not be able to do any activities with the older kids. I hope that she gets used to it here and that all changes!

I am a little concerned, though, because she won't eat! Her dad said she last ate at 6:30am this morning. I tried a bottle at 9:00am and 10:00am. She just screamed and wouldn't eat. I tried again at 10:30am and she drank about 2oz and then screamed. I know she's probably not used to it here. Also, she is breastfed at home (and her dad forgot to bring breast milk, so she is on formula today).

Should I be concerned?

HUGS to you!!! I am baby free! And intend to stay that way until my 3 yr old daughter is in school it's too hard! I don't like being pulled in so many directions, I love being able to sit down during our activity time and lunch time and not have a little one at my feet! Tried it once and it didn't last more than 6 months. Infants do not pay enough to make it worth my sanity. I used to be a baby person and then I got 3-3 yr olds and 3-5 year olds and I don't have the patience for babies anymore