16 Month Old Put On Weight Loss Diet!

[Anonymous]

I am filled with such frustration, and I need to vent...

I have been working for wealthy (Multi-billionaires) family for 6 months. I took over for their baby nurse who stayed a year. The baby nurse didn't have too much experience with older babies, and kept him eating finley puréed fruits/veggies and formula until she left. And I was instructed to keep him on this diet for a few more months. 3 generations (and they are all still alive) of this family have had their children raised by nannies. So they believed EVERYTHING the BN told them to do.

So a few months ago, I felt comfortable to start giving baby solid foods. All foods are prepared by their amazing chef. I had to teach this poor child to chew!!! He was so behind!

Today he is eating beautifully! Wonderful wholesome meals full with vegetables, whole grains, lean meats, and fruit. He very seldom snacks, never ever drinks juice or has sweets. He has about 18oz of whole milk a day. He is very active, runs and plays. He goes to 6 classes a week.

I work as a 24hr nanny Monday-Fridays, so I am there for all meals. And I direct the weekend nanny on what to feed him. At the last doctors visit, he was in 70% for height and 60% for weight.

Well yesterday, Great Grandmother says he has a pot belly and he needs to be put on a diet! She has said the same thing many times; but this time she means it. Even my MB agrees with her. They have told the chef to cook more non-fat options. This family is obsessed about being skinny.

This baby looks completely NORMAL & gorgeous! And I think they are being absolutely rediculous! Am I the only one? He's a healthy 16month baby!

He weighs 24#s and 18 month pants are still very loose.

End of vent...

[Anonymous]

Yeesh, i'd be tempted to call cps. At the very least tell tbe dr whats going on and maybe s/he can talk some sense into them. Go online and peint out a dozen pics of what normal nabies look like.

[Anonymous]

When do you sleep?

[Anonymous]

OP here, getting desperate

Baby was having a breakfast of 1/2 piece of dry toast, a little cup of plain Greek yogurt (4oz) sweetened with fresh pineapple pieces. Mom told me to take away his breakfast after he only ate half a yogurt and one bite of toast!!!

I adore this family, they are really great- until it comes to this issue!

Thankfully I am taking him to his pediatrician today to discuss; instead of having a lovely day visiting the art museum and playing in the park!

[Anonymous]

Be specific with the Dr and see if you can get something in writing that states how many calories and how much fat he needs. Babies need fat for brain development.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Be specific with the Dr and see if you can get something in writing that states how many calories and how much fat he needs. Babies need fat for brain development.

+1

Tell the doctor your concerns and ask him/her to write out very explicitly what the baby needs to be eating every day for healthy growth and development. If the parents/grandparents make a fuss, tell them you're not comfortable disobeying the doctor's orders as you can't be responsible for jeopardizing the health of a child.

[Anonymous]

So you've been there 6 months, and the baby nurse was there for a year...so that's 18 months--but the baby is only 16 months? What did the baby nurse do for the 2 months before the baby was born?
Your story sounds fishy to me.

[Anonymous]

Sad. Poor baby. Not even just health-wise, but he will also have to deal with this nutso thinking growing up. I would just try to be a normalizing presence with him about food--don't make an issue of it, if you can help it. Obviously, as PP's said, do talk to the doctor and see if he can talk to the parents.

[Anonymous]

Thanks all. Doctor said he is perfect just as he is- and the family is satiated with that. So hopefully this is the end of the crazy talk for a while.

14:20 poster-baby nurse started a few days before baby was born to set up. And then I started 6 weeks before baby nurse left so she could "train" me.

[JosephPierce]

What about sleep?

[Anonymous]

JosephPierce wrote:What about sleep?

This is not the OP but she is allowed to sleep, She is just responsible for him for those hours. So if he wakes up he is her responsibilty, she is basically the parent for the full 5 days.

[Anonymous]

My goddaughter gets a little pot belly right before she has a growth spurt...... So your little one could be just about to do some growing. Yes get the Dr's input. Also point out to mum that he is busy growing a body and needs calories for this!

Children under 2 are not supposed to be offered low fat diary products. 18oz of milk is like half a litre. If I was going to reduce calories I would offer him less milk. However, it doesn't sound like he needs it

[Anonymous]

Low fat is a terrible idea. If he's eating healthy food and skipping the junk, AND he's active, his chances of being overweight are practically nil, unless he's genetically predisposed or has a condition that increases his chances. What are they so worried about?

[Anonymous]

PS PP here I wonder what they would do to my charge, who is 30th percentile for weight and 80th percentile for height - thin as a rail since birth despite everyone's best efforts to get him closer to 50th / average weight.

[Anonymous]

You need a letter from the child's pediatrician and you need to make it clear that you will not offer anything less than the doctor's recommended calories and nutrients.