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Babies: 9 - 12 Months
callaann27
member
1yr old that I babysit is losing weight
callaann27
member
This is in no way related to neglect from the parents. I started babysitting her when she was 9 months old. She has always been a very picky eater. There are very few things that she likes. Her fav foods are Cheerios, mandarin oranges, diced peaches, and elbow macaroni--and some days she won't even eat those. She transitioned to WCM in September when she turned 1 and had no issues.
She has recently been sick on and off with ear infections, fever, diarrhea--they took her to the doctor each time, checked her head to toe and she was fine. When she was weighed, they noticed each time she was sick that she had list 1-2lbs each time. She is low in the percentiles. I have her 3-4 times weekly and she is here for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. I try to work in snacks too. I have an 11 month old myself. He is a very good eater, so no issues there.
Im wondering what more I can give her while she is in my care. What would you do? I looked in to Pediasure, but it is for toddlers over 2yrs. Any have suggestions. Is there a something more that I can get her to eat or drink to beef her up. Sometimes the only thing she has at my house is a bottle, and her parents don't even want her having that anymore--just a sippy. Any help would be appreciated! Thanks All!
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Re: 1yr old that I babysit is losing weight
My first response was pediasure -- but did not realize it was for children over 2. I would have them ask their pedi if that was okay to give her. She only just turned 1 yrs old. I don't see the rush in taking her off formula if she still needs it. Maybe the toddler version once a day. I would be inclined to implement 1 serving of formula back into her diet per day (with mom's permission, of course). It does not have to be in a bottle. She could get it in her sippy or a cup.
Good luck!
I would not offer pediasure without talking to her pediatrician first. Her pedi will be familiar with her, her health history, etc.
What about something like ice cream?
The sugar might cause a crazy kid... but my thought was that I usually give it to our three year old when he's sick. When he's not feeling good and refuses to eat anything else it gets some fat and calories in him and is essentially a liquid.
Maybe scour some labels for high protein/high fat ones. I know the soy ice cream is delish!
My other thoughts were eggs & nuts.. but those are out.
Does she like cheese? String cheese not made of low fat ingredients may be a good start.
Married April 1st 2017
DS #1: May 2009
DS #2: Jan 2012
this is a question for her mother .. not strangers online .. if I found out my babysitter was asking for advice on taking care of my child online instead of talking to me .. I would be quite upset .. obviously, they take her to the hospital and are not neglecting her health .. I would do as you're told by the child's mother ..
asking people what you can do for someone else's child is pretty much insinuating neglect by her parents .. you want to treat her differently while in your care compared to how she is treated at home ..
I wouldn't put it as harshly but I have to agree with going with whatever the parents say to do since THEY are the parents. I do agree with someone on here as to asking if they can add formula back into the diet?
DS is a really picky eater. He won't let us spoon feed him and he will only feed himself if he is hungry and if it is something he likes. He still has like 20 oz breast milk a day at almost 11 months. We also give him 3 solid meals a day and sometimes a snack.
We have had good luck with these finger foods, so you might try these:
Cheese (mild cheddar or string cheese, cut up into tiny little cubes)
peaches (we've bought the little cups so they are already cut up - no sugar)
cantalope - cut up into tiny cubes.
Grapes cut up (cut in half lengthwise, then across three times so the pieces are really small)
Gerber/Ella's pouches - he will sometimes feed the little pouches to himself
graham crackers (just hand her a square and let her go to town on it)
Cooked frozen peas, carrots and green beans (he LOVES these, can also do canned just keep it low/no sodium)
Here is a chart of the calories/fats in common foods to help pick good ones:
https://kellymom.com/nutrition/starting-solids/babyfoodcalories/
You could also try one of those self feeder pouches. DS also does better if he is holding his own spoon. He won't let me spoon feed him but he will let me hand feed him sometimes.
Good luck, it seems like your heart is in the right place.
Really? To ask on a message board for ideas in getting picky eaters to eat more? There are a lot of 'tricks' that mothers and daycare providers know. I would think it would be careless to NOT ask a question like this.
If she's only lost weight because she was sick, I really don't think that is any cause for concern. That is normal. We all lose weight when we're sick.
The low percentile weight isn't a cause for concern either. Both my LOs are 20th percentile or lower and have been since about 6m old for both of them. Some kids are just small and there is nothing wrong with that.
My DD isn't picky, and she eats a ton, but she's also losing weight (she never stops moving!). She doesn't love her bottles...anywho, the doctor recommended I try to get as much fat in her as I can. Whole milk yogurt. Lots of cheese. Butter EVERYTHING. Will she eat toast? Butter or peanut butter. Will she eat buttered noodles? Will she eat macaroni and cheese? Extra cheese and make it with cream.
I agree with pp that the toddler version of the formula may be a smart thing to do. And if all else fails, give the kid a cookie.