Daycare starving out 12 month old?

[lilalley]

So LO will be 1 year in 10 days.  He daycare provider let me know they will not give any bottles or assist LO with solids after she turns 1 year.  I am afraid she's going to starve all day.
She will only play around with the sippy cup (tried for months) and she likes finger foods... like 2 bites and then it's more fun to throw the rest on the floor.  She still takes around 15 to 20 oz. of EBM each day.
They offer food and snacks 3 times a day.  I'm sure she will have two bites each time and no liquid.  She is there for 9 hrs. 4 days a week. Am I stressing for no reason. Will she naturally adjust?

[Intransit]

Hmm, can't honestly say I wouldn't be worried about that to be honest.....I would think that ensuring the LO's at the daycare eat well/healthy would be a top priority. I suppose they are wanting to teach independence etc....but eating is very important....I fed my son to ensure he ate well well after 1 yr!
not much help I guess...but that's my 2 cents

[~ Vik ~]

Ummmm... I hate to say it, but I would be looking for another daycare That rule, IMHO, is completely unreasonable. There is nothing 'magical' about being 1yo that means they can suddenly fend for themselves. Dylan is 19mo old and only in the past couple of months has become proficient enough with a spoon that I can just leave him to his meals - and I sometimes have to help him even now!

Did they give any reason behind this rule? Does your lo move to another room with fewer carers at 1yo? Will they serve her the food and let her attempt to feed herself, but help her if she's struggling? If they are truly inflexible on the solids, will they compromise and at least give her the bottles so she's getting something? (while you're looking for a daycare ) Honestly, the more I type the angrier I'm getting on your behalf...

[deb]

Totally with PP's. I'd be asking for more details, and hunting for a new daycare if that's actually what they mean, to the letter; a 1YO isn't suddenly magically able to feed herself, FCOL.

[MasynSpencerElliotte]

Yikes, I'm getting angry on your behalf too, I know our daycare feeds the kids when they need help...even sometimes past when they need help! My two were both self feeders quite early (hands mostly) and refused to be spoon fed by me, but would still allow the workers at daycare to feed them. I think Spencer actually picked up on self feeding at daycare, but not at some magical age. I'd hunt for a new daycare if indeed they do mean what they said.

[~ Vik ~]

Is this a licensed daycare centre, or a private home daycare?  My SIL has been a carer in the infant room (up to 18mo) at Dylan's daycare for nearly 20 years and was shocked when I read her your post. (And yes, this has upset me enough that I called her to ask her thoughts!  ) 

At her daycare (which is also where Dylan has gone since I returned to work at 12mo old) they begin to strongly encourage self feeding at 1yo, but mainly to teach them the skills. One of the carers is always there to help them and ensure that they are getting enough to eat (1 carer to 3 children).  There are also no restrictions on bottle use in the infant room or the toddler room (1.5-2.5yo) - it is only when children go to the junior room at 2.5yo that bottles are no longer given.

[lilalley]

Ai Yai Yai.  I am going to talk to daycare provider tomorrow.  Thank you for your posts.  If she was already a self feeder like many LO are at this time there would not be an issue.  But she isn't.  Especially as far as liquids go.  I'll keep you posted.

[georgeo]

My LO is around the same age as yours and although he self feeds rice cakes, cheerios and bagels well everything else is pretty much an exercise in dropping it onto the floor.  Just wanted to share that so you're not thinking that all kids are proficient self feeders at that age.  I  hope it gets straightened out or that you find another daycare.  HUGS!

[We Three]

I don't even know what to say, to be honest.  Every child is different...would they say that they will no longer pick up a lo after 12 months, because they are supposed to be walking by then?   

I would ask for precise clarification...I'm glad you're going to look into this further. Seems very, very unreasonable and rigid and downright crazy, imho. 

Please keep us posted!  Good luck!   

[First Time Mom]

I agree with all the others, I think this is an unrealistic expectation on their part. Let us know what they say when you question them about this. Hopefully it's some misunderstanding and they actually meant that they start to teach los to eat on their own but in no way expect it.

[KathrynK]

I think this is an unrealistic expectation on their part. Let us know what they say when you question them about this. Hopefully it's some misunderstanding and they actually meant that they start to teach los to eat on their own but in no way expect it.

Completely agree with this, I can't imagine any daycare would enforce this on a 12mo.
My 2 are in the most wonderful daycare, Sophie since 12mo and Alex since 8mo. Neither of them could self feed at 12mo or do their own bottle.
At our daycare they move them up to the next room at around 15mo but that can vary a little either way according to the needs and development of the child. Once in the next room they will encourage the children to feed themselves and help if needed, but there is a big difference between 12mo and 15mo imo.
 

[lilalley]

So I had another talk with DCP.  The owner said she would be happy to do whatever I want.  She did say that every mom is always worried about getting rid of bottles at the 1 year mark but all babies adjust quickly.  She said she would adjust faster if I dropped bottles at home too. 

I need to come up with a plan that I can have them follow.  I am not ready to drop the night bottle for sure.  What did the rest of you do?

[emmabobs]

As a Deputy Manager of a Day Care Center in England. I am frankly appalled at the attitude of the manager!!!! 

As a professional i advocate to all my colleagues that we go at the child's pace. If they are not ready for sippy cups we gently encourage but not completly take them away

Personaly  I would  keep offering a sippy cup at meal time. She will get used to it may be it may be the syle of the sippy cup. Am i right in thinking that Tracey said in one of her books breast fed babies are better with staw like cups? something to do with the nipple and sucking???  or have i just made that up

Emma X

[~ Vik ~]

Dylan still has a bottle in the morning, drinks from cups through the day, and bfs before bed (19mo). Bottles aren't suddenly *bad* at 12mo - I think that you and your dd should go at your own pace. I completely agree with Emma about offering a sippy cup at every meal, and maybe trying a couple different types to find one she likes. Once she's proficient, then you can start changing the feeds you want to, and keep bottles at some times if you want. When I was weaning from bfing for day feeds, our doctor advised us to start with the feeds that Dylan was least interested in (for us, the 11am one) and go one at a time. I would assume that the same principle could apply for bottle feeds.

And I'm happy that she's at least willing to work with you. Stand your ground, strong mommy! You know what's best for your dd

[lilalley]

So I have been working every day with LO and her sippy cup.  Still just for fun not for drinks.  I have dropped all bottles except the last one at night.  I feel like I'm in uncharted territory. Is she getting enough solids?  Is she getting enough liquid?

Here is a typical day, this last week at home... tomorrow is the first day at daycare with the new "feeding routine".

BF=1 yougart (I feed her), 2 bites of bread with almond butter and jelly (herself), 1 sip of milk.
Lunch= 6 whole wheat macaroni shells, 8 bites of canned pears, 1 sip of milk.
Dinner=3 bites of tortilla, handfull of green beans or peas.
Bottle= 6 oz BM or formula.

I get her to eat this much with a lot of coaxing.  I'm sure the DCP will not coax like I do. This seems like so little to eat.  Is it?    quick advice needed... HELP!!!!