nanny needs advice, baby seems hungry
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Anonymous
| I take care of a14 week old baby, i don't think he's getting enough to eat. They only allow him 4 ounces of breast milk every 4 hours. In my experience at that age he should be up to 6 ounces every 4 hours especially being breast fed. He cries and acts hungry when he finishes the bottle and could eat at 3 3.5 hours as that is when he starts acting hungry.Seeing if you guys agree and how should i tell nf? |
Anonymous
| He is hungry and you should tell his parents. |
Anonymous
| I'd be speaking with the pediatrician. Seems dangerous. |
Anonymous
| I've only been on the job 4 weeks and have mentioned he seems hungry and 4 hrs is a long time for breastfed babies and the amount wasn't enough but mb just brushed it off |
Anonymous
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The mother's behavior could be hurting her child. Ask why she's not allowing the baby adequate nutrition, OP. You are right to be concerned about this.
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Anonymous
| I would tell her that kids need more food as they grow and gain weight. The BM she is leaving is not adequate. She may be having a supply issue and does not want to supplement but that is terrible for the child. |
Anonymous
| Do you know when was the baby's last doctor's check-up, and did/will you normally go to? |
Anonymous
| You need to take a strong stance. As unemotionally as you can you need to describe the symptoms of hunger you see and tell her that without hearing from the baby's pediatrician that this is an appropriate amount of food you are not comfortable withholding milk from a hungry infant. Nannies who starve babies don't tend to work for long. |
Anonymous
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I think it's so stupid when parents measure food out like that and then time everything according to what some Dr. or some chart states.
Babies need to be fed on demand. Plain and simple. Since this baby obviously cannot advocate for himself, then yes OP you need to stand up for him. Talk to his parents and tell them what you just told us. Tell them you do not think he is getting enough to eat because he finishes his milk, then cries for more. I cannot imagine any loving parent telling you to not give him anymore milk. |
Anonymous
| My MB did this as a control thing because she couldn't produce enough milk. I gave the baby formula when she wasn't around, and it's a good thing I did because the baby was later diagnosed with failure to thrive and the pediatrician made MB give the baby formula. I hate moms like this who think they are the centre of the universe and only they can feed their baby with their miracle breasts. |
Anonymous
| Under feeding an infant is child neglect. Do something, OP. The mother may have some mental health issues. |
Anonymous
I fed my babies on demand but this isn't necessarily true. Many working women get their babies on feeding schedules to help them sleep through the night sooner. |
Anonymous
It's not neglect, it just makes the job more difficult for you. |
Anonymous
You did the same thing to your baby? |
Anonymous
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OP, I'm an MB. I had twins and getting them on a schedule was critical to us - so I support a mother who wants a schedule. But it can also catch us by surprise when a baby takes a leap to a new level in terms of appetite, sleep patterns, etc...
Have you talked to the MB? Maybe you could just sit down with her and say that it seems like the baby is really ready for more, and inyour experience you've seen babies taking as much as 6 oz every 3 hours at this point. Ask her if it would be ok if you offered more? Don't necessarily try to alter the schedule at the same time - start with upping the amount. (Or ask to change the frequency - just don't push on both fronts simultaneously.) My hunch is that with 6 ounces the baby might be fine every 4 hours - but that can vary from one kid to another. So just try talking to her. Don't come at it from the mindset that she's abusing or neglecting her child, just say that you think he's still hungry - could you offer him a little more. If she's rational she'll probably be fine with that. If she really resists then you have a larger problem on your hands! 
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