My poor niece -vent

PenelopePond · July 2014

So I mentioned that my brother and his girlfriend have done some questionable things with my niece: putting her in a hot tub, feeding her bacon grease, putting her car seat in the top of a shopping cart, calling her fatty and brat all the time, giving her prune juice...all of that before she was one month old.

My sister called me yesterday. She got to see my niece for a couple hours. When it was time for my niece to eat, my sister fed her the bottle. My sister noticed there was stuff floating in the bottle and asked what it was. It's strawberry and banana baby cereal. Her bottle is half cereal half formula. They've also started feeding her fruit purees. Since her stomach is upset and she's not pooping right they're giving her whole bottles of straight prune juice. Her mother has been complaining non stop on Facebook about how crabby she is, she doesn't sleep well, her stomach is upset, she's not pooping right... No shit!

I tried talking to my brother about it yesterday. I text a link to him about feeding babies food too early. Apparently I'm trying to tell him how to parent and he knows best. I've now been blocked on Facebook and on the phone.

She's six weeks old. I'm so sad for her

. It's not just this stuff. I don't doubt they'll continue to do dumb shit.

Newt69 · July 2014

That just makes my heart hurt so much. I think your B and Sil need to be throat punched. IMHO

hmp1 · July 2014

mssm2012 said:

That poor baby. I'd call her pediatrician and CPS, for the bacon grease & feeding issues. The names (given her age) and car seat on the cart (not safe, but somewhere on the spectrum with leaving baby unattended on the bed or changing table- things we know we shouldn't do but that many people do anyways) don't bother me as much.

I was thinking this too. Do you know who their pedi is? Perhaps an email with the bacon grease and foods they are feeding combined with the complaints about the baby having an upset stomach and being crabby. Letting them know that you have tried to tell them it is the food they are feeding her causing the problem but they won't listen to you and you would like if the pedi could talk to them about it.

watercolor5 · July 2014

Aw that poor baby probably feels so sick

I agree with calling the pedi... not sure they'll talk to you but it's worth a shot. I'd also see if you could talk someone else in your family into trying to talk some sense into them- maybe if they get it from you, your sister, parents, other friends, they might begin to listen, even if they get mad? Maybe if you get the girlfriend's friends/family involved? Or try CPS... not sure how well they work, but whatever you can do to shock them into taking better care of their child, the better.

MRoxy0628 · July 2014

Are they in mn or wi? There are home health nurse recommendation forms and it's free for them to come to the home. I'm in mn and would be happy to help with this (anonymously) if it's something you want to do. It's very sad to hear this and I hope you're able to get someone in your family to help.

PenelopePond · July 2014

mssm2012 said:

That poor baby. I'd call her pediatrician and CPS, for the bacon grease & feeding issues. The names (given her age) and car seat on the cart (not safe, but somewhere on the spectrum with leaving baby unattended on the bed or changing table- things we know we shouldn't do but that many people do anyways) don't bother me as much.

If the name calling and shopping cart were the only things they were doing wrong, it probably wouldn't bother me. It's just all this stuff adds up, and it makes me worry. I know she doesn't understand being called fatty now, but I'd be willing to bet a million dollars that they don't stop when she is old enough to know.

PenelopePond · July 2014

hmp1 said:

mssm2012 said:

That poor baby. I'd call her pediatrician and CPS, for the bacon grease & feeding issues. The names (given her age) and car seat on the cart (not safe, but somewhere on the spectrum with leaving baby unattended on the bed or changing table- things we know we shouldn't do but that many people do anyways) don't bother me as much.

I was thinking this too. Do you know who their pedi is? Perhaps an email with the bacon grease and foods they are feeding combined with the complaints about the baby having an upset stomach and being crabby. Letting them know that you have tried to tell them it is the food they are feeding her causing the problem but they won't listen to you and you would like if the pedi could talk to them about it.

Good idea about the pedi. I have no idea who it is, but I will try to find out.

PenelopePond · July 2014

watercolor5 said:

Aw that poor baby probably feels so sick I agree with calling the pedi... not sure they'll talk to you but it's worth a shot. I'd also see if you could talk someone else in your family into trying to talk some sense into them- maybe if they get it from you, your sister, parents, other friends, they might begin to listen, even if they get mad? Maybe if you get the girlfriend's friends/family involved? Or try CPS... not sure how well they work, but whatever you can do to shock them into taking better care of their child, the better.

My sister is on their shit list now since she agreed with me. I'm about to call my parents. Her family won't really speak to her since she got pregnant. The could of sisters that do talk to her thinks it's hilarious that her (BrOther's girlfriend) niece tells people to go f*ck themselves and calls people bastards and assholes. She's three. I'm sure they won't be helpful.

PenelopePond · July 2014

MRoxy0628 said:

Are they in mn or wi? There are home health nurse recommendation forms and it's free for them to come to the home. I'm in mn and would be happy to help with this (anonymously) if it's something you want to do. It's very sad to hear this and I hope you're able to get someone in your family to help.

They live in MN (Rochester). If my parents are unsuccessful with this, I will let you know. Thank you for offering!

PenelopePond · July 2014

IndigoVader said:

Oh honey, I am sorry. One can only hope their doctor steps in before they make their baby sick. Has your mom talked to him?

I'm about to call her now. She knew some of the other stuff they've been doing is wrong, but didn't say anything. Hopefully now she will step in. He's most likely to listen to her, so I really hope she helps.

PenelopePond · July 2014

I will! I've been very careful to try to be helpful and not judgemental with them. Hopefully they really are listening.

Unknown · July 2014

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Holly_1007 · July 2014

Aw poor babe! You have gotten some great suggestions.. Please keep us updated!

AKB090609 · July 2014

Poor kiddo, I hope you can get someone to step in before they do any more damage to her poor little belly!

tinyhumantoe · July 2014

that poor little baby. My goodness

bosha711 · July 2014

Omg this makes me sick to my stomach! Ditto those who said call CPS, but they'll need to see proof of the abuse, or else it won't make much difference. In nj you can call anonymously. I'm not sure how it is where you are.

MommaP12 · July 2014

This is just sickening. I feel like they are torturing this child a little. I hope your mom can step in and if not, I would definitely call their pedi or CPS because this is neglectful/abusive behavior to a certain degree - bacon grease to a 5-6 week old??? I'm sorry you are dealing with this.

Eastie156 · July 2014

I'm sorry that your brother and sister in law aren't listening to reason. I've found that your best intentions to family members about babies are often ignored. If you think they are being abusive or neglectful, you can report them. It's really hard to step back and not say anything to someone who doesn't know any better.

willy_gert · July 2014

I would agree with calling child welfare/ social services. (I don't know what it is called there, here it is DCF) Most states have programs aimed to keep kids at home and teach better parenting, which they may be referred to. There are generally several options before removal and while proof helps, most of the time, they will at least do an investigation to try to determine if the child is in danger or if the parents just need some help. I highly recommend calling if you truly are concerned.

PenelopePond · July 2014

My mom had to work all day yesterday, but she's suppose to be calling me today. Hopefully she's able to help me out.

PenelopePond · July 2014

I finally talked to my mom and she is pissed. Right after we left there on vacation she had a talk with my brother about this stuff. She thought he understood. She's going to talk to him again and get the name of their pedi for me. I won't contact the pedi unless my mom says the talk didn't go well.

I have to say I'm relieved she is upset. Most of my family thinks I'm a little nuts about this stuff, so I wasn't sure what she would say.

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