My baby won't eat in daycare

[Roach]

We just started putting my 4 month old girl in day care and she only eats half or less of what she would usually eat when she's there. On her first day, she did eat every hour as soon as we got home but the rest of the days, she just fell asleep the whole night because she was too tired since she's also not getting enough nap time in the day care. She normally naps 1 hr or 2 in the morning, noon and afternoon, now, the most she gets is 30 mins and the rest were 10 to 15 mins of naps. I am really concerned that she's not getting enough calories and sleep time. We started waking hep up every 2 to 3 hrs at night to feed her to make sure she gets something in her body because we're sure she's not going to eat during the day. I am really concerned for her.

When do babies get fully adjusted to day care? Do they learn to ignore the noise later on and will they get back to taking naps?

[pamD]

I don't know what you mean by "just started," but my daughter was pretty exhausted by daycare for the first few weeks, too. I can't speak to the eating issue, b/c she was breastfed and not a big eater. It will get better, as she get used to everything and doesn't need SO much sleep. She may also get used to the environment and sleep longer. However, I was never completely happy that she was getting enough sleep in the infant rooms. HTH.

[Anonymous]

Thanks for your reply. Maybe it's just the adjustment period. My main concern is her not eating. It's been 2 weeks and I would take off work in the middle of the week to make sure she gets to eat enough at least in one day during the week and a breather. Did you mean you weren't happy that she's not getting enough sleep in day care?

[Anonymous]

My experience was that the folks that worked in DD's (1st) daycare did not take the time to ensure that she was eating. DD was a slow drinker with a lot of start & stops (which we told them about in advance), but with other kids to attend to, they just didn't have the patience to stick with DD by re-offering her the bottle. We tried to work with them by letting them know that we understood that it was hard with other kids needing things while DD took so long, but we suggested that they stop with DD, attend to another kid if needed, then go back to DD to feed her. When it got to the point that they lied, said she was eating full bottles & she came home starving, we changed daycares. You might want to meet w/teacher & director to talk about eating (what they're doing, how it differs from what you do)----it is really important & even if you don't want to be "that parent" that complains, this will be one of the first of many advocacy stands you'll have to take on behalf of your child. (Just my .02)

Our current daycare is great, but naptime is still an issue. (Started 1st daycare at 3 months, she is now 11 months old). My DD naps horribly at daycare, mostly because I think there are too many noises & other things going on there (she sleeps in silence at home), but the daycare people try everything to get her to sleep.

The napping issue (as well as getting a million illnesses) is a common daycare complaint from what I hear.


Good luck.