My 17 month old toddler has stoped drnking milk. I am workign full time. Is she unhappy abt me leaving her?

Question

My 17 month old toddler has always been a fussy eater but I used to substitute less food with milk. She generally used to take 2-3 glasses of milk daily.She also loved fruits but from the past week or so , she stopped drinking milk or eating anythig, even fruits. I am working full time and was wondering if she is unhappy that I leave her? She is happy with the kids in the creche but does cry when my husband drops her in the morning? I feel guilty about not givign her adequate attention although I am very particualr about my 9-6 routine. What do I do? Whay has she stopped milk, eating etc?

Answer 1

I am a stay at home mom. My child has done everything that yours has. It's just what they do. Don't beat yourself up about it and don't feel guilty for having to go out and work for the sake of contributing to your household. Their food habits change constantly. They're testing the waters and verbalizing their likes and dislikes. When mine refused milk, I just compensated with other calcium rich foods (yogurt,cheese & pudding). Also, when my daughter started nursery school, she cried a little. When she stopped doing that,she now tells me every morning before school that she doesn't want to go and cries. Once she gets there she is ok and has stopped crying when I pick her up. It's an ongoing process and must be real tough on you. It must be hard being mom and a full time worker,I don't envy you. Keep your head up!

Answer 2

I know my child by the time she hit 17 months had done what yours is doing more than once. I also use to teach preschool. Children know what they need. She might not be craving milk right now or fruit, keep offering it to her along with other foods, she will drink it when she is ready for it or needs it. She can get her dairy from other source, cheese, yogurt etc. Children tend to binge eat and if given the choice a lot of them will choose health foods before unhealthy if they have been introduced and consistently fed such things.

If she isn't eating or drinking anything at all, you need to think about how long this has been going on, she might have some kind of virus. If she is eating even just a little it might be she isn't hungry. There is a chance your child might be acting out and if this is the case you need tohelp nip it in the bud now, eating habits start now not later. My guess is, its just a food phase, but if it goes on to long talk to the doctor. (its more for peace of mind, mine always told me to relax I was upset over nothing and funny thing is, it seems like every time after having to pay the doc, my kids were a okay the next day, go figure).

Answer 3

I don't think it's a case of she is unhappy with you, more so that she is going through a phase of not wanting to drink milk. She may have picked up from one of the other children that does not drink milk. Keep offering it though as one day she may take it again. My daughter eats a variety of things at pre-school and the child minders that I couldn't get her to eat at home, so don't worry. When a child is hungery they will eat. She may just need reassurance whwn she is being dropped off in the morning by you saying that you are only going to work and will be back later and that you love her.

Answer 4

Lots of formulas are cows milk based so I wonder if its not something else that is causing a rash? I would check with your physician, but it wouldn't hurt to try soy milk also. At 21 months though I think he should be off of formula. By 12 or so months little ones should be on homo milk and by 2 years, kids should be on 2% milk. Whether that be soy or cows. Good luck.

Answer 5

You should talk to your Pediatrician about this. If you were staying full time, and now you are away from her full time, yes, she could be feeling abandoned. It might just be for a while until she gets used to it. Does the day care tell you this, or is it just when she is with you? I baby-sit at church with this age group, and they do get really upset when the mother leaves them. Could you just work part time, and gradually go into full time. Usually, however, they just get upset for awhile and get over it, but some are just upset the whole time and we have to call the mother. If she has stopped eating, and she was eating before normally, it could have to do with you leaving her. Check with her doctor and discuss it with him. In time, it will probably get better, but there should be some kind of concession for right now, perhaps, like just working part time.

Answer 6

You obviously are feeling guilty about leaving your child in the care of strangers. Find a way to cut back on expenses and stay home with your child. You will never regret the time spent raising your own child. Your family will be healthier and happier.

Answer 7

Black Kat is right about the dairy thing and companies. We are from humans not cows, you wouldn't feed breast milk to a calf, right? Your toddler is finding out what she likes and dislikes at this point in her life, heck tomorrow she might like milk and not juice, so don't worry mom. if you are giving her veggies and meats she will get what her body requires. my son is 6 and every since i stopped nursing him at 16 months (pumped milk at 12 months) he does not like milk, i was so worried about the fact that he didn't want to drink milk and his dr. told me to relax, he does not like milk. he had me do a test (I believe it was for my sake) but put three glasses(clear plastic) in front of him, milk, orange juice, water, see what the choice is then put 2 OJ and milk see what the choice is for him then put 2 milk and 1 water, see what the choice is I found out he likes water no milk and is not a fan of orange juice but he drinks orange drink. so i was fine after the test. JUST REMEMBER THAT EVERY INDIVIDUAL HAS A PREFERENCE IN LIKES AND DISLIKES OF FOOD, PEOPLE, AND PLACES. GOOD LUCK.

Answer 8

She could have a stomach bag,give it a more time.If you have,then they do go through a eating phases.Sometimes they eat the same thing for days.Then they eat everything and then it seems they completely stop eating.I don't think you should worry about it.It is your own thinking that torchers you.

Answer 9

Most Dr.'s would not recommend that much milk. It's not a perfect food like the dairy industry wants you to think.

Answer 10

Spend time with her and dont' feel guilty, if you feel in your heart it is OK then she will feel it is ok.