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Daycare Center and Family Home Forum>8 Months Old Not Eating Baby Food - Should I Request Doctor's Notice?
Unregistered 11:34 AM 05-03-2013
I'm registered but can't type password with this computer because some keys don't work :P

I have an over 8 months old baby that is not yet on a regular feeding routine of formula and baby food; Mom insist on making her own food, but she forgets, or she doesn't have time, so the baby is eating baby food for a couple of days and then just formula for two weeks, or until she makes a new batch of food. This has been going on since the baby turned 6 months and was given the ok by the doctor to start baby food, so is not a personal parent's decision of delaying introducing the new diet.

I know that some parents starts later with the baby food, but I don't think this is the case, is more of a "oh I forgot to make it" kind of thing, and I'm afraid that months will go by without changes. The baby is having an hard time getting used to new feeling of swallowing a different kind of food, and just gags and spits everything out those random days I am provided with baby food?

what would you do? I offered to supply the food for an extra charge, if the dcm doesn't have time to make it on a regular basis, but I haven't got a yes or not answer...

Should I request a note from the doctor that says why she doesn't have to be on a regular feeding routine?

This baby is also very tiny for her age, but not concerns have been brought up so far regarding her weight and age...

Thanks!!!!
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Blackcat31 11:38 AM 05-03-2013
Are you on the food program?

If so, I would require a doctor's statement for sure.

Honestly, what I would do is require the DCM to bring you a one week supply of food on Monday of each week.

If she forgets or does not bring it, I would refuse care for that day.

Once they are 8 months old the food program does require they eat fruits, grains and veggies so it is important that mom start "remembering" to feed her child.
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EntropyControlSpecialist 11:46 AM 05-03-2013
I'm one of "those Moms" who sees nothing wrong with a child just sampling whole foods before 12 months and not actually eating large quantities of it.

However, I do find it really strange to forget the food you want your child to be eating. That actually baffles me. Maybe a Doctor's note would be a good thing, especially if you are participating in the food program.
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jenn 11:56 AM 05-03-2013
I don't start food until the parents are ready. For some that has been 4 months and for some that has been 12 months. However, once they start, we continue it. I don't think it should be offered sometimes, and not other times. Once ready, my littles have breakfast (a fruit and grain) and lunch (a veggie and grain) even if it is only a few bites of each.

I would tell mom that beginning Monday, her child will be served 2 "meals" per day. If she would like to provide it, that is fine. If she fails to provide it, you will serve her what you have purchased/made and add it to her payment amount.
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blandino 12:14 PM 05-03-2013
Originally Posted by EntropyControlSpecialist:
I'm one of "those Moms" who sees nothing wrong with a child just sampling whole foods before 12 months and not actually eating large quantities of it.

However, I do find it really strange to forget the food you want your child to be eating. That actually baffles me. Maybe a Doctor's note would be a good thing, especially if you are participating in the food program.
I am right there with you, about the faux necessity of food before 12 months. However, I think at

I actually have it outlined in my contract that we TYPICALLY start stage 1 foods at 6/7 mo, stage 2 at 7/8, and diced mushy table foods at 9/10. Not saying that's how I would do it with my own kids, but most DC parents start solids at 6 months - so that's how I structured my program. It also says that if you wish to send homemade baby food you are more than welcome to, but if it isn't supplied for the day then I will use my own.

I also have all those on a handout I give to parents at 6 mo.

I would worry that the child isn't getting much needed practice eating. I don't think the nutrition in food before 1 is important, but the practice and assimilation to textures is ,IMO, very important. I have noticed a lot more texture issues in kids who haven't been exposed to varied textures by 9/10 months.
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EntropyControlSpecialist 12:17 PM 05-03-2013
Originally Posted by blandino:
I am right there with you, about the faux necessity of food before 12 months. However, I think at

I actually have it outlined in my contract that we TYPICALLY start stage 1 foods at 6/7 mo, stage 2 at 7/8, and diced mushy table foods at 9/10. Not saying that's how I would do it with my own kids, but most DC parents start solids at 6 months - so that's how I structured my program. It also says that if you wish to send homemade baby food you are more than welcome to, but if it isn't supplied for the day then I will use my own.

I also have all those on a handout I give to parents at 6 mo.

I would worry that the child isn't getting much needed practice eating. I don't think the nutrition in food before 1 is important, but the practice and assimilation to textures is ,IMO, very important. I have noticed a lot more texture issues in kids who haven't been exposed to varied textures by 9/10 months.
I TOTALLY understand.
I actually have to run my program a lot differently than I how I run things in my family (food-wise, for sure) because of what the food program and licensing dictates, or sometimes even overall parental preference.


Good advice. I noticed something similar with my friend's children who received zero experience with whole foods before the age of 1, verses sampling.
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MarinaVanessa 12:52 PM 05-03-2013
Originally Posted by EntropyControlSpecialist:
I'm one of "those Moms" who sees nothing wrong with a child just sampling whole foods before 12 months and not actually eating large quantities of it.

However, I do find it really strange to forget the food you want your child to be eating. That actually baffles me. Maybe a Doctor's note would be a good thing, especially if you are participating in the food program.
Even though its pretty strange it does happen and I can see it happening. A parent starts off with "oh I want to be a trendy mom that only makes healthy baby food for my child" or may initially really want to make that change but then come to find out that yes, it takes time and commitment.

I've seen it over and over with cloth diapering too. Mom wants to cloth diaper but forgets or gets tired of washing and caring for the diapers and ends up bribging the child with disposals for a few days until she gets a chance to wash them ... Or just gives up altogether. Lol.
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Unregistered 02:40 PM 05-03-2013
If she actually says that she doesn't want to start until later, that would be totally fine with me, but I don't think is the case. Instead it looks like she just doesn't have the time/willingness/organization to make it on a regular basis.

I have told her that if she is concerned about what's in the store bought baby food, she can opt for the organic ones at the health stores, but it didnt seem like she cared about looking into those.

Baby is here only 3 days a week and I'm not on the food program anymore, so I can't use that as an official mean (I still follow its guidelines tho)...
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Leigh 03:39 PM 05-24-2013
I didn't read other responses, and I'm sure I'm duplicating someone here, BUUUT:

Children need NOTHING other than breastmilk or formula for the first 12 months. A doctor's note is not necessary.

Most parents start feeding solids around 4 months, not all do. I wouldn't require a doctor's note, but I would tell Mom (because it sounds like a big deal to you) that you would supply the food at an extra cost to her. I wouldn't push it for the health of the child, however, because the child needs milk/formula, not baby food.
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