Daycare Moms

amberpro

How hungry and thirsty is your child when they come home? C has been absolutely famished lately... As in demands a huge snack immediately and drinks an entire cup sometimes 2 of water.

His sheet ALWAYS says "ate most". Would I be "that mom" if I asked for a more detailed account of his eating? I'm curious what he's actually getting in his mouth.

Or just let it be and keep giving him a snack at 5? mind you, they have a 3:00 snack at school.

I also want to note that I don't think it's a growth spurt. He's been at this new DC 3 weeks and the pattern has been consistent. And he doesn't demand the extra snack on weekends, either.

On the thirst is that normal? I wish there was a way for them to allow drinks between meals. Does anyone's DC give sippies between meals/ snacks?

I'm usually pretty laid back, so I'm not sure why this is so high on my radar, lol.

Thanks!

CarlaAndJames

Our daycare will give milk or water as often as she asks throughout the day. (They taught her to sign separately for milk and water so she can ask). And they always offer milk at meals and water when they come in from playing outside (1-2x per day depending on weather). She still drinks quite a bit at home, but I know she's getting a lot there too. 

We do have to give her a snack right when we come in most days. (and we eat dinner at 530!), even though she eats everything from her breakfast and lunch, and a snack at 3. A snack trap full of cheddar bunnies and raisins or a small size pouch usually is enough to tide her over.  

Jills83

I don't think you would be "that mom" if you asked them how much exactly he is eating each day.  V's last snack at the babysitter's is at 4:00 so he is usually good to go until dinner.  He sometimes guzzles a cup of milk or water right when we get home.  His babysitter has a cup of water sitting out for each kid on the table and she will offer them a drink throughout the day/if he "asks" for it. 

magnoliablossom00

I don't think it would be weird to ask for another afternoon snack. I would start off by asking about his eating habits (try to sound casual) to the teacher, etc. Explain that you don't know if it's a growth spurt or what, but that he is usually very hungry when you pick him up, yada yada. Ask if you could send a late afternoon snack for him and if she would offer it "just in case." I used to work at a daycare, and this seems like a good way to approach it b/c you're asking for her help as a team, not singling her out as a bad guy, kwim?

Fwiw, my LO won't eat as much when other people are around or when she's stimulated. For example, if we are at my mom's, then she won't want to eat at all and I practically have to force her to eat dinner b/c she's so excited/distracted. Then, the second we get in the car she cries for food b/c she can finally focus. Strange, but I think it's normal. Maybe your LO is the same way and just is too hyped up to concentrate on his food when he'd rather be playing, etc. 

OpheliaChem

I don't think our DC gives drinks unless its mealtime or snacktime. We've only been at this new daycare for 3 weeks too and I feel like I ask too many questions as is so I try to keep my nosiness to a minimum. That being said, DD is always thirsty when we get home too. And as for food, her container is empty but her sheet also says "ate most" so where is the other food?? I assume she threw it on the floor or dropped it on herself or spit it out and they pitched it. I did ask them to put any extra food in the container to send home and she eats it when we get home. Maybe you could just tell them that you aren't trying to nit-pick but you're curious about exactly what your little man is eating? As for drinks, I'm not sure what to say. Maybe you could ask that they let his cup out so he can see it and point to it if he wants it? If they offer it randomly for a few days, he should learn where it sits and should be able to let them know he is thirsty.

smurf605

I've asked daycare for more detailed accounting on how much DS eats or drinks on occasion. I don't think it would be an issue. Maybe he's just too distracted at daycare to drink much.

egpitt22

Both of my boys are starving when they get home!  We eat dinner pretty late (around 6:45) so I give them both a snack when we get home around 5:30 to hold them over for that hour.

I don't think there would be any harm in asking what he typically eats for his lunch, or if he finishes his snack at 3.  

dicer2

DS just started doing this too.  His snack is at 3:00 and by 5:00 he is crying for more food.  I have to have a sippy ready for him as soon as we walk in the door.  I think he is burning a lot more calories being in the toddler room now so I attribute it to that.  He also appears to be taller so I think he's been going through a growth spurt too.

Telly21182

He gets water throughout the day, and they'll give sippys of milk as well if his regular meal times don't seem to be satisfying him.  

HIs reports generally say he "ate 1/2, most or very little".  It all depends on what I send I guess! 

kimbo1216

amberpro:

I wish there was a way for them to allow drinks between meals.

Our DC allows Audrey to walk around with her sippy at any time, I'm pretty sure.  At least, when I take her in and she's got hold of her snack cup and sippy cup, they never seem to mind.  So, I guess I don't know how long/often they let her keep them.  However, I see the sippy cups they provide too.  They have their names on them sitting on a table.  I've seen them give them to other kids at non-official snack times.

Audrey usually comes home a bit hungry, but she has always done that.  Well unless she's been at my parents.  I swear, sometimes I think all Audrey does at my mom's is sit in her chair eating. lol.

 

I'd talk to them about your concerns.  Just mention that he always seems so hungry and thirsty when you pick him up.  Ask if they can do something to give him an extra snack or water.

If you are still unhappy in another week or two, I think you should think about switching to your old DC.

Syncronicity09

I have the opposite problem, he eats great at daycare, but doesn't seem interested at home. I just spoke to daycare about what foods he seems to love when she feeds him so I can try to get him to eat them at home.

I would definitely talk to them. Regardless of the reason you should never feel you can't openly communicate with your DCP.

vanessa999

At Lexi's daycare they give us a little sheet everyday that says what times she ate and what she ate, and they always breakdown the milk she had by ounces so we always know. I would ask if it's that important to you. Alexis usually is really to eat when she gets home, but a lot of the time it's because she just had her nap right before we pick her up.

amberpro

Sorry that turned into a post and run! My life is outta control right now :

Thanks for the input. It makes me feel better that everyone else's LOs are starving when they get home, too.

I presented it was suggested... I think he's having a growth spurt...blah blah...can I have more detailed account...blah blah. They were very nice about it :.

As for drinking, they say they offer water several times a day and always after outside time. He can't ask for it yet other than pointing. I'm been trying to push the word "drink" for months now, lol.

I appreciate all the responses. It really does make me feel more secure. I think I'm just having a hard time moving from grandpa's daycare to real daycare. It's a tough transition for everyone.