Daycare

[Anonymous]

We started full time daycare for our 2 year old last week. We expected it to take some time for him to transition after 2 years at home, however we didn’t plan on him not eating much all day. We pay for catered food at the daycare plus send snacks, water etc. and he comes back not having eaten much. Since he is starving, he immediately eats a huge meal and a second meal an hour later before bed. We started sending a full lunchbox of food but that came back untouched. Any recommendations on how to resolve the issue other than to wait?

[Anonymous]

Just give it time. He's probably super stimulated by being around so many exciting kids and can't sit and focus on eating. Tell him that when the other kids at his table are eating that's when he should eat too. He'll learn.

[Anonymous]

He’s not running around excited and stimulated. He’s looks sad due to his separation anxiety and keeps telling us to come pick him up.

[Anonymous]

You need to give it time.

[Anonymous]

Give it time, but also pack non perishable foods for the time being to minimize waste, and/or offer what’s left from the day when he wants to eat later at home

[Anonymous]

Give it time. This is totally normal for older kids, too, when they go through a transition. A lot of kids don't eat much lunch the first couple weeks of kindergarten either.

[Anonymous]

Talk to teachers and ask them to pay special attention to his meals for a few days. Tell them he is dehydrated and starving. That is why it is important to transition by doing just couple of hours a day and gradually increase hours. Never send the child for a whole day right away.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Talk to teachers and ask them to pay special attention to his meals for a few days. Tell them he is dehydrated and starving. That is why it is important to transition by doing just couple of hours a day and gradually increase hours. Never send the child for a whole day right away.

We did a 1 hour visit before his first day. We thought of half days for the first week. We didn’t want him to get used to us picking him up at nap time and then not sleep there wondering why we stopped doing that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Give it time. This is totally normal for older kids, too, when they go through a transition. A lot of kids don't eat much lunch the first couple weeks of kindergarten either.

+1

It’s normal and he will eat when he is settled. Kids are also busy talking to thier friends and many times just observing others to eat.

[Anonymous]

2 yr olds are not "busy talking to their friends" at lunch time. It is not OK for a child to be starving and getting dehydrated for a week or more. Send him with food that he is used too, at least send yogurt and fruit. No,OP, picking up early for the first week, then a little later next week is a normal transition, and your child will not expect it every day. All kids are different and obviously you see it does not work for your child right now, so help him by coming early to pick him up. Once he is comfortable there, he will start eating.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:2 yr olds are not "busy talking to their friends" at lunch time. It is not OK for a child to be starving and getting dehydrated for a week or more. Send him with food that he is used too, at least send yogurt and fruit. No,OP, picking up early for the first week, then a little later next week is a normal transition, and your child will not expect it every day. All kids are different and obviously you see it does not work for your child right now, so help him by coming early to pick him up. Once he is comfortable there, he will start eating.

It’s not ideal, but one of mine never got over separation anxiety and never ate at daycare. He’s fine. I just planned for that by being sure we got up really early so he could eat and then starting with snacks right at pick up. Hopefully your child will have an easier time.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:2 yr olds are not "busy talking to their friends" at lunch time. It is not OK for a child to be starving and getting dehydrated for a week or more. Send him with food that he is used too, at least send yogurt and fruit. No,OP, picking up early for the first week, then a little later next week is a normal transition, and your child will not expect it every day. All kids are different and obviously you see it does not work for your child right now, so help him by coming early to pick him up. Once he is comfortable there, he will start eating.

Disagree. Some 2yo are distracted and social. He will adjust with time. If you are that worried, talk to the Ped. Most say that health eating habits come from learning to eat when hungry and drink water too. Even at a young age. (This isn't a newborn who can get dehydrated -- in kids that's really only when they have a stomach bug)

[Anonymous]

OP. We decided to pick him up at 3pm instead of 5pm on the days we can leave early from work to see if that helps short term.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Just give it time. He's probably super stimulated by being around so many exciting kids and can't sit and focus on eating. Tell him that when the other kids at his table are eating that's when he should eat too. He'll learn.

Exactly. Kids need time to adjust to new routine.