5 month old in daycare not drinking or sleeping?

Question

I have a 5 month old that just started family daycare 2 weeks ago. When he is there, he refuses to sleep unless the woman holds him, and as soon as she puts him on his back he wakes up and cries. He sleeps for no more than 30 minutes in the 7 hours he is there. We pick him up at 3, and he'll nap a good hour and a half in the afternoon, but he still is tired all the time. Also, he eats food like a pig for her - cereal, veggies, soups, fruit, etc., but he won't take a bottle from her. He just plays with it. She makes the cereal with the formula, and combining that and what he gets from the bottle as he plays with is, he takes about 4 oz all day! He is breastfeeding the rest of the day so it is hard to know how much he gets from me. I am so worried about his heath I am sick. We have a doc appt very soon, but I just wanted to get some feedback now. Any comments or ideas???

I should have said that he has been taking a bottle from various people for a least 2 months, so taking the bottle isn't the issue. Also, it isn't the formala that is the problem because he has no issues over the weekend when he has formuka during the AM. Also, at home he does NOT need to be held to sleep whatsoever.

Answer 1

He has to be allowed an adjustment period. Give him some time, but if things don't get better this could be a sign that he is not happy in his new setting. But here are some tips to try in the meantime....

Wear one of his washcloths pinned inside your shirt or bra. Have the daycare provider lay the cloth with baby at bottle time and nap time. This way he will have the comfort of Mommy's scent.

Use bottles at home. He may just love the breast and maybe doesn't understand why he gets a bottle at daycare but not at home. Let Daddy or siblings bottle feed him sometimes so that he can learn to accept the bottle.

Maybe he doesn't like the formula. Buy a breast pump. Get a good one like Medela, Lansinoh, or Ameda. You will need one specified for long term frequent use. The cheaper ones are for occasional use only and won't hold up. Pump at work and send the milk to daycare. He might take this better. Formula tastes different (like iron, versus breast milk tastes sweet) and is also harder to digest. You may need to send breast milk for him or try a different formula. I tried 4 before I found one my baby would take.

Find one nipple/ bottle and stick to it. Breastfed babies often suffer from nipple confusion and then have feeding difficulties. I used Avent, but there are several good ones out there. Be sure to use one that is shaped more like your breast.

Stop in for visits if possible. If you work near your daycare then maybe you could go nurse baby on your lunch break. If he absolutely refuses the bottle this may be your best option.

Try not to worry too much. The good thing is... he's eating. So even though his milk consumption is reduced, he is stilll getting some nutrition. Contact your local LaLeche League chapter or hospital for more advise and support. You're not alone. Millions of working mothers understand what you're going through.

http://www.lalecheleague.org/

Answer 2

At the age of 5 months, I would definitely be concerned about the amount of milk he's not getting...I would talk to the pediatrician on that one...it could also be the way he's being held by the care provider...see if she has just one way that she'll hold him...if she's tried various feeding positions and he still won't take a bottle, that's not good. As far as the sleep goes, this is pretty typical of an infant that's been just enrolled. It can take them up to 3 months to fully adjust to the light, noises, smells, etc...Taking along something from home that smells like mommy can help tremendously...try sleeping with one of his blankets for a week and take that to the center...chances are it will help a bit. Otherwise, he just needs time to get used to the new surroundings.

Answer 3

He probably just doesn't feel comfortable enough to relax enough to sleep. Is this daycare loud and constantly busy. Do you trust this woman completely? Because you breastfeed him at home, it is not uncommon that he is having a hard time transitioning to a bottle. Do you give him bottles at home? This is something you should have transitioned him to before putting him in daycare. Also, 5 months is very young to be getting most of his nutrition from solid foods, he needs to be getting his fill from formula or breastmilk (food right now should only be for practice). I too would be concerned and would be working on the bottle thing at home. I think once he is taking a bottle from her that he will be napping better there as well. Good Luck.

Answer 4

He wants the breast. Lots of breastfed babies will not take a bottle. Try having his dad give him a bottle at home while you're sitting there. Is he urinating? If he has wet diapers and he has no signs of dehydration (pinch his cheek, if it stays "tented" and doesn't pop right back he's dehydrated and you need to immediately take him to urgent care) he's probably getting enough. Do not wait for the Dr.'s appt. Call them back and tell them now. Your baby is probably going through some major separation anxiety from you, especially if you've been home with him for the 5 months. Anyway you can adjust your schedule so dad or someone else close to him can be his caregiver? I feel for you. Having a baby going through such is rough. Good luck to you. I know how worried you must be. When you're home with him, let him nurse for as long as he wants.

Answer 5

I would ask your doctor about milk/lactose allergy. He is getting good, necessary nutrients from you, but some children are allergic to cow's milk. It may make him restless and unable to sleep.

If that does not check out, check your family history for diabetes. A precursor condition to that is high insulin (hyperinsulinemia) and that can cause another condition (hypoglycemia - low blood sugar) that can play havoc with sleep schedules. Also, do take into account that the change in habits has put your child under (a mild amount of) stress. As the other answerer said, it may be just a matter of adjustment.

For info on low blood sugar, there is basic information at www.hufa.org.

Answer 6

You seem to have been holding the baby a bit much at home . Change his formula. I had to do that with my son. Keep the same routine that is done at daycare, try it at home. As long as the baby is nice and dry, has been fed, just let him cry. Is a good thing you are taking him to the doctor to make sure there may not be any problem, but I suspect there won't be any.

Answer 7

I don't know what to tell you, except I was never a fan of the "just let him cry" theory. The only way a baby has to tell you he needs you is by crying. Ignore that, and how can he trust you?
I'm sure the bottle/breast thing is confusing him. Maybe you could start expressing milk and using a bottle at home to help ease his confusion.

Answer 8

You should consult your pediatrician. Daycare facilities aren't really set up for one on one attention with the children. Do you have a friend or relative that could babysit for you? That way, they'd be more available to hold him and help him adjust to the bottle -- plus it's always nicer to pay someone you really trust and care about. ;-) My mother in law and sister were more then happy to babysit for me in the 2 months I worked after my daughter was born. It was full time work and it really helped me to know that my kid was safe and happy and that they would call if anything were wrong. Plus, they were so happy to watch her, they did it for free!

Answer 9

if he is eating food for her he is just full when she is trying to give him a bottle. the sleep thing could also be a not being in his normal bed and noises that he is not use to at home. try making noise when he is asleep at home. leave a radio on, tv something while he is asleep. just because the baby is asleep doesn't mean there can be no noise in the house.

Answer 10

I think he's eating far too much food.. Soup? It may also be too noisy where he's at. He's used to it probably being quiet at home. At that age formula is more important than food. Cut down on the food and I think he'd drink more.