Infant Not Eating at Daycare

I went through the same thing with my son at daycare. I would even go there on my lunch hour to feed him. I think the main thing you need to tell yourself is that if your daughter is hungry she'll eat. The one thing they won't do is starve themselves so it might just take some time for her to get used to it and then if she's hungry, she'll eat! Best of luck!

I would ask you pediatrician, but I had the same problem. I would put some baby cereal in the formula. Just a little maybe a teaspoon. Make sure that it will go through the bottle.

A little about me:

I am new to the area with a two year old. I was working full time. I put my child in daycare at two months old, too.

You may want to try pumping breast milk into a bottle instead of using formula. I know electric pumps are really expensive. I have a hand pump at it taks me no time to pump a full bottle. My daughter is 6 wks old and will NOT take formula. She only likes breast milk. You may also consider taking in a shirt of yours. They can wrap your baby in it when they feed her. That will give her the smell of you while she's being fed. Good luck!!

This is pretty common at this age and usually doesn't last too long. Don't worry about her eating enough. Studies have shown that the baby will make up the calories later in the day once you return from work. Just have them continue to offer and one day soon she'll take it.

I would make sure that I ask exactly how they are preparing the formula/breastmilk and see if anything is different. If they are using their own bottles, maybe you should bring some from home. You could also try having whoever is feeding her hold a blanket that you've slept on all night against them...so she at least smells your scent.

I would venture to say that if she/he is hungry then she or he will eat, but if it continues for too much longer you may want to contact the doctor.

Good luck....it's stressful enough having to put them into daycare when they're so young, but when something is going wrong it compounds the anxiety. Try not to worry, Im sure things will be just fine.

Since you are breastfeeding, she might just prefer you to her bottle. Many breastfed infants hold off there hunger untill the end of the day when they are with there mommy. This is called reverse cycling. I know it is stressful, but as long as she is gaining weihgt and having a normal amount of wet diapers she should be fine. Talk to you doctor about further concerns.

Also check the nipples they are using and how they are preparing the bottle.

One of the things they suggested when our boys were in the NICU was to have you sleep with one of your daughters blankets and then have the day care worker hold that while she feeds your little one. Supposedly, if she can 'smell' you she might eat better. You also might want to notice if there is a certain position you hold her in that they don't use. Some babies like routine a lot! My mom tells the story of watching my cousin once who refused to eat the whole day she was watching her. She later found out that the baby's mom didn't hold her to feed her but propped the bottle (not recommended of course) but that is what the baby was used to. It may even be that your daughter is used to having the radio or tv on when she eats at home and she misses that. Best of Luck!

Shaunte,

There are already lots of good suggestions, so I will add just a few...My experience comes from talking to so many moms at support group about this same thing. First, how long or how are they trying to offer a bottle. Second, how are they preparing it..heat etc? Third, I don't know if you work full time, but can you take a morning/afternoon whatever and take her to daycare and then just stay and observe what is happening..out of her sight till feeding time? Lastly, As a former pediatric nurse..I know she will eventually eat..or do the reverse cycling..but usually it's more stressful for baby AND caregiver to be crying, hungry, and not eating. The baby does eventually get so hungry and "give in" but do you really want to resort to that. Also, is she sick? If her ears hurt, cold whatever, maybe that is why the change from the previous week. Hang in there girl!