Originally Posted by Crystal:
My food program lady said that is one of their "rules." That at 2 years of age he needs to be drinking from a cup. If I don't follow their rules, I will get booted from their program, which means I'll have to charge all parents more because I can't afford all of that food! She said the food program is not just about eating, it's about forming good eating habits, good mouth muscle tone (which Nannyde covered) and proper eating skills for their age. It teaches a lot of hand-eye coordination as well.
First, let me say, I hope you don't think I am being offensive....it is not my intent.
I understand this isn't really the topic at hand, but I don't believe your FP specialist. I agree part of the point is to teach proper eating and forming good habits, but they CANNOT tell you that a two year old CANNOT have a bottle. I'd ask her to show me in writing the rule she is referrinf too. If I was Mom and I wanted my child to have a bottle, I'd insist on seeing it. I just looked at the CACFP website and cannot find anything in the regs that state this.
I agree he should not have a bottle, children do not get a bottle from me here after their first birthday. But it really isn't anybody else's business if Mom wants to give her child a bottle.
Just talked to my FP lady about other not related things today she clearly explained that the USDA has specific rules and each food program provider (company that provides the food program to you, like Providers Choice or CCRR in our area) INTERPRETS THOSE RULES AS THEY SEE FIT. The OP's food program can very well say that THEIR rule is 2 yr olds are fed from a cup NOT A BOTTLE, as long as they are meeting the MINIMUM requirements from the USDA they can add in any additional requirements they want. You can choose the specific food program PROVIDER which is where the rules vary- so long as they are in accordance with the USDA.
I think its a mute point about whether the FP allows bottles. No educated professional would actually allow a two year old (without a med dx) to eat from a bottle simply b/c they refused to do it any other way.