OP, sorry you're going through this. I have no ideas, given that you don't have other options for care. Just wanted to share my experience. Due to stress/anxiety, my youngest would not eat or drink anything at all during her first five months at daycare. She started at about 13 months. She was fine - we just had to make sure she took in plenty of calories and liquids at home. Her doctor wasn't pleased but there were really no health issues for her. Since you can't change the daycare, I'd talk to her pediatrician.

Anonymous wrote:OP, did you see my suggestion earlier? What do the older kids use? I'm sure it's not sippy cups. Do they use straw cups? Open cups? Whatever it is has already been approved by the daycare because the older kids use them. I'm sure they don't have 2 year olds using sippy cups. Find out what those kids use, and if it's something that would work for your kid, demand that they let her use it.

+1. Or let her use a bottle-- she's barely a year old and I'm sure the infants are "allowed" to use bottles. Any center that will let your child suffer serious health risks over a stupid policy is not a good place for a child. If they won't work with you, pull your kid. Who knows what else they might do later based on "policy"? Dehydration is no joke.

Pull your baby out of this place. Dehydration can kill. Think about getting an Au pair or nanny-- you set the rules and don't run into this kind of insanity.

OP, did you see my suggestion earlier? What do the older kids use? I'm sure it's not sippy cups. Do they use straw cups? Open cups? Whatever it is has already been approved by the daycare because the older kids use them. I'm sure they don't have 2 year olds using sippy cups. Find out what those kids use, and if it's something that would work for your kid, demand that they let her use it.

This is nuts. My 12 month old still can't drink from a cup. She will probably be expelled from this daycare.

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Switching centers really isn't an option. We were on a waitlist for over a year to get into this one. And the other wait lists we are on don't seem to be moving.

I talked to the director and they said they can't use sippy cups from home because of mold issues. Their cups only have two parts.

That's really a bummer, OP. Are they totally inflexible? I use the take n toss straw cups mostly because they can go right into the dishwasher. I would practice a ton at home and start the Special Needs Process. Maybe showing them you're serious would be enough to get them to ease up on the rules?

I agree with the suggestion to send juicy foods too - watered down yogurt in a pouch, watermelon, mandarin oranges.

I feel so bad for your baby! I can't imagine how thirsty he/she must be.

Maybe fill her up on water right when you drop off and then have her favorite sippy ready when you pick her up (put it in your purse so you can give it to her right away).

Hec, just go through the Special Needs Process if that is what it takes. Be an advocate for your child. I can't imagine eating foods like crackers and goldfish and not having something to wash it down with it.

Can you at least send it "juicy" foods such as clementines to get her a bit of hydration?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Oh and she said if we got a note from the doctor we would have to go through the special needs process.

Tell her that it is not acceptable that your child is not getting any fluids at all all day because of their rule. That is more dangerous than "mold issues" in my opinion. If they are concerned about mold, send the cup home every night.

I doubt they care as they have someone in line ready to take the space. They have every right to have their rules. You do not have to keep your child there.

Anonymous wrote:Oh and she said if we got a note from the doctor we would have to go through the special needs process.

Tell her that it is not acceptable that your child is not getting any fluids at all all day because of their rule. That is more dangerous than "mold issues" in my opinion. If they are concerned about mold, send the cup home every night.

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Switching centers really isn't an option. We were on a waitlist for over a year to get into this one. And the other wait lists we are on don't seem to be moving.

I talked to the director and they said they can't use sippy cups from home because of mold issues. Their cups only have two parts.

Interesting. Her statement makes me wonder if it's a center rule or a licensing rule. Where are you, OP?

Oh and she said if we got a note from the doctor we would have to go through the special needs process.

OP here. Switching centers really isn't an option. We were on a waitlist for over a year to get into this one. And the other wait lists we are on don't seem to be moving.

I talked to the director and they said they can't use sippy cups from home because of mold issues. Their cups only have two parts.

Anonymous wrote:Sucks but this might be a deal breaker with the daycare. It signals issues to come.

+1. A daycare that loves your child will not let them get dehydrated because of a policy. I wouldn't be comfortable sending my child there.

Sucks but this might be a deal breaker with the daycare. It signals issues to come.