Breaking the Rules - NEED Help!

[Toriicon]

Hey Everyone!
I recently became a part of the Infant room at my daycare. I have never worked with babies and i need help!! The woman that i am replacing, and the lady i will be working with throughout the day PROP BOTTLES!! I know this is against state regulations and i have already reported it to my director. I also tried to talk with the ladies about why is wrong and tried to figure out a better plan. Turns out- when you are new you shouldn't try to change the way they run their classrooms …
Overview-
ration is 1:4, we have 2 teachers with 8 babies every day from open to close- the ages range from 6 weeks to 12 months- 7 OF THEM ARE UNDER 6 MONTHS! They all have a very similar bottle schedule and most of their parents are strict and would like them to be fed exactly when the schedule says… this is why the previous teachers propped the bottles…
I WILL NOT BREAK THE RULE AND PROP, but, i don't want 8 screaming babies while i am trying to feed one at a time.
Please help, my director said i have to come up with a solution or she will find someone else- My director is alright with propping ( terrible i know) …
Please please please share your tips on how to feed them all safely and quickly.
:confused::confused::confused:
Thanks in advance!
T

[Thriftylady]

Honestly? When you know something is against the regs, I think it is your duty to report it. Especially when it is something like propping bottles. But I have always been against that anyway, I believe a baby should be held with a bottle. My kids were held until I took the bottle at one year. As a parent I would be upset if I walked in and saw that! Now if it was something that could be overlooked, then maybe but I don't see this as that. You will probably loose your job if you turn it in. How long have you worked there? I would think if they fired you for that you could get unemployment. But I would start looking for another job.

[Silly Songs]

I would let the parents know. That is a safety issue and your director should come up with a solution, not you. You can also give licensing a call, anonymously, but your director will probably know it was you.

[Leigh]

I find propping isn't seen as an issue for many people, including parents. However, I had a 4 month old (2 months gestational age) foster child whose lungs were full of aspirated formula when he came to me. I believe that as a mandated reporter, you need to report this.

[Febby]

I personally wouldn't be working for a director who was okay with staff breaking a safety rule. I'd be quitting and letting licensing know about the issues.

That said, ratios are higher in my state (1:5) and it's been a few years since I've seen anyone prop a bottle. You say the parents want the babies on a strict schedule (why is your center even letting the parents dictate that??), but how much wiggle room do you have in this? 5 minutes? 15 minutes? Do parents have a way of verifying what you write down on their papers, such as cameras? Not that I would outright lie to the parents, but I might look at a clock reading 3:06 and call it 3:00 if I could.

But, anyway, if you have a bunch of infants who HAVE to be fed at the same time, the best way to do it is to make sure you always have bottles warming up, even while you feed others. So while you're feeding Suzy, have Jimmy's bottle in the warmer. Then as soon as you're done feeding Suzy, put her down and grab Jimmy and feed him and stick Johnny's bottle in the warmer. That's really all you can do. Babies will eat as fast/slow as babies will eat.

[Ariana]

This director is clearly operating illegally and needs to be reported. She is over ratio for infants plain and simple, bottle propping aside. She is taking the $$ for the infants and not providing enough staff. Unfortunately parents have no clue this is going on.

The answe to your question is that you can't feed then all savely. The safety of these babies went out the window long ago

[Thriftylady]

This director is clearly operating illegally and needs to be reported. She is over ratio for infants plain and simple, bottle propping aside. She is taking the $$ for the infants and not providing enough staff. Unfortunately parents have no clue this is going on.

The answe to your question is that you can't feed then all savely. The safety of these babies went out the window long ago

Wait am I reading it wrong? It looks to me that they are at the max of ratio? If they are over ratio that needs to be reported also.

[Febby]

This director is clearly operating illegally and needs to be reported. She is over ratio for infants plain and simple, bottle propping aside. She is taking the $$ for the infants and not providing enough staff. Unfortunately parents have no clue this is going on.

The answe to your question is that you can't feed then all savely. The safety of these babies went out the window long ago

Assuming the OP is accurate, they are not over ratio, just propping bottles.

From the OP:

ration is 1:4, we have 2 teachers with 8 babies every day from open to close- the ages range from 6 weeks to 12 months- 7 OF THEM ARE UNDER 6 MONTHS!

[Ariana]

Wait am I reading it wrong? It looks to me that they are at the max of ratio? If they are over ratio that needs to be reported also.

Oops! I did misread! I thought she said 1 teacher for 8 babies

Sorry!

[Toriicon]

yes, we do have cameras and cranky parents… i think i am going to suggest purchasing more than 1 bottle warmer for the room. Thanks!

[Toriicon]

my apologies, i could have been more clear! I was typing while frustrated

[Febby]

Another thought, is the director of your center also the owner? If not, you could try talking to the owner about the issue as well.

[Toriicon]

Another thought, is the director of your center also the owner? If not, you could try talking to the owner about the issue as well.

she is also the owner, yes. I think ill just look for another center to work for.

[Thriftylady]

she is also the owner, yes. I think ill just look for another center to work for.

I would still report it.

[jenboo]

yes, we do have cameras and cranky parents… i think i am going to suggest purchasing more than 1 bottle warmer for the room. Thanks!

We use a crock pot to warm bottles! We just put an inch of water in it and turn it on low. Works great!
Unfortunately, I haven't found a way to avoid the mass crying when everyone is hungry. We will put two babies on boppies and then feed them at the same time (we hold the bottles). Today way between two teachers, we can feed 4 babies at a time.