https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Thu, 23 Apr 2026 12:18:31 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-me-sort-out-daycare-feeding#post-996551 Wed, 07 Aug 2013 13:28:44 +0000 littlebittyhouse 996551@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>FWIW when I first went back to work my caregiver and I had a hard time with the whole 'he's hungry' thing. I used to fib about what time he last ate because I knew he wanted attention.</p> <p>My LO was taking 4, 4oz bottles at 4mo which was the max amount ever. We were at 16oz a day until about 8mo, then 15oz, then 12oz and now at 13mo he gets 10oz in two bottles. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-me-sort-out-daycare-feeding#post-996283 Wed, 07 Aug 2013 12:12:15 +0000 Smurfette 996283@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@septemberlove: I agree that is weird they gave him one. Everyone has to bring their own and had to have a name on it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-me-sort-out-daycare-feeding#post-995960 Wed, 07 Aug 2013 10:28:21 +0000 Adira 995960@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@septemberlove: Yeah, that's weird! My daycare requests that you provide a pacifier if your child uses one, and they even asked me to bring in a second one for Xander! Maybe if they try to send it home with you, you can say "Oh no, that's for him to use here! We have others at home!" or something like that? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-me-sort-out-daycare-feeding#post-995789 Wed, 07 Aug 2013 09:48:37 +0000 lomom 995789@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Adira: they sanitize them all the time, at least once a day. They said most kids just have one that stays there and the couple of times I've sent in his, they've stuck it back in his bag. I hope it was a brand new one, it looked that way, but idk. It was weird but I pointed it out again this morning, that I'd brought *his* pacifier, so we'll see... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-me-sort-out-daycare-feeding#post-995088 Wed, 07 Aug 2013 06:41:45 +0000 Adira 995088@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@septemberlove: Glad to hear things went much better yesterday!!! That's weird about the pacifier though - do they sanitize them every night and make sure they never give the same one to different kids? It's odd that the daycare has their own pacifiers... but oh well! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-me-sort-out-daycare-feeding#post-995030 Wed, 07 Aug 2013 05:00:11 +0000 lomom 995030@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Smurfette: I call and check on him once a day, but all they ever say is that he's having a good day and that right now so-and-so is holding him lol. Either he's super fussy or they just like holding him! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-me-sort-out-daycare-feeding#post-995002 Wed, 07 Aug 2013 01:03:42 +0000 Smurfette 995002@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@septemberlove: ha, I am the same way. In the beginning she was having a hard time adjusting and I was so worried all the teachers didn't like her but I really think she is one of their favorites. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-me-sort-out-daycare-feeding#post-994558 Tue, 06 Aug 2013 20:48:42 +0000 lomom 994558@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Smurfette: the daycare one was a gum, but he spat it out. He's taken a liking to the mam brand, so I'm hopeful if I take them a mam, they'll have some luck with it! :) I'm trying to give them all the tools/tips/tricks I can! I want them to think he's a good baby ;) though I must say, they don't ever seem to put him down, so they must be pretty keen on him! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-me-sort-out-daycare-feeding#post-994499 Tue, 06 Aug 2013 20:31:31 +0000 Smurfette 994499@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@septemberlove: good news! Maybe he likes that brand of pacifier better? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-me-sort-out-daycare-feeding#post-994433 Tue, 06 Aug 2013 20:13:07 +0000 lomom 994433@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Adira: today was pretty good! They spaced all the feedings about 3 hours apart (one was like 2 hours, 45 minutes but I'm certainly not going to fret over one bottle being 15 minutes early) its obvious they're trying. They said its taking him about 10 minutes for a bottle (he's almost 4 months) which is a little fast but they're saying they stop to burp him. I hope it continues to get better! They fed him about 20 minutes before I got there, but I haven't asked yet for them to not feed past 3/3:30.</p> <p>They did give him a pacifier (not his) today, which was really weird! They said they just have extras but I wish they'd used his! They said he wouldn't take it (he's gotten pretty picky about his pacis and generally won't take it without some coaxing). I'm going to make sure they have his tomorrow and see if that helps. I am so ready for this week to be over! It's been really hectic and I miss my little man! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-me-sort-out-daycare-feeding#post-992753 Tue, 06 Aug 2013 10:33:37 +0000 Adira 992753@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@septemberlove: I know what you mean, but don't worry! He definitely won't starve! Even if he doesn't eat enough at daycare, he'll make up for it at home. I think lying so that they push back the first feeding is okay. And it'll take a little time for everyone to get used to each other and he gets more comfortable there, so just give it a little time! And if your daycare is anything like my husband, I'm sure they'll just assume he's hungry when he's fussy! That's what my husband does!!! I think once he's been there longer and they've gotten to know him better, they'll get a better sense for when he's actually hungry vs when he's tired, bored, wants to bed, etc.</p> <p>Let me know tonight how it went today! :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-me-sort-out-daycare-feeding#post-992718 Tue, 06 Aug 2013 10:23:39 +0000 lomom 992718@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Adira: I lied on it this morning and said I fed him at 7, hopefully that'll get them to push out that first bottle a little further. I haven't been super firm with them yet, I'm hoping he will settle in and reverse cycle a bit! That's what he did with my mom but she also tried a few things before giving him a bottle and they aren't (at least it doesn't seem like they are). I'm so terrified he's going to starve. I don't want him to be uncomfortable or crying. I know, rationally, he won't starve, but still. I hate the thought of him being anything other than happy. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-me-sort-out-daycare-feeding#post-992070 Tue, 06 Aug 2013 06:45:28 +0000 Adira 992070@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@septemberlove: I definitely think it's easier for them to just give him a bottle than to try to figure out what he REALLY is looking for. Maybe he just wants to be held, and so he's getting that when he gets a bottle, so they think that's what he really wanted, when just holding him might've done the trick all on it's own!</p> <p>How old is your LO again? I think it should probably take him 15+ minutes to finish a bottle. Anything quicker than that and he might not be registering that he's full and he'll eat the whole thing up. I found this link helpful for timing:</p> <p><a href="http://www.babycareadvice.com/babycare/general_help/article.php?id=10" rel="nofollow">http://www.babycareadvice.com/babycare/general_help/article.php?id=10</a></p> <p>Of course, my daycare lets Xander guzzle his bottles in 5 minutes or less, but they're also keeping him to his 3 hour schedule, so it hasn't been as much of a problem for us (besides them trying to tell me he's hungry when he's not).</p> <p>How does your daycare usually handle feedings? With mine, they plan to feed every 3 hours, but will feed earlier if necessary. When we drop off Xander in the morning, we have to fill out an activity sheet and list when he was last fed and last had a diaper change. Then they use those times to determine when his next bottle and diaper change should be. Does your daycare do something like that? I've also discovered that I get the best results when I actually LIE on the activity sheet. Xander can always go four hours after his first morning feed, so I tell daycare that I fed him an hour later than I actually did so that they won't feed him too early in the morning and throw off the rest of the day. Could you do something like that? And maybe you just need to be really firm with them. Say "I just fed him at ____, please do not give him a bottle before ____." If he usually goes 3 hours, maybe tell them 2.5 hours, because it seems unlikely he'd be hungry MUCH earlier than that, but you want to give them a little leeway in case he goes through a growth spurt or something.</p> <p>I hope you get this all sorted out!!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-me-sort-out-daycare-feeding#post-992016 Tue, 06 Aug 2013 05:37:32 +0000 lomom 992016@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Adira: I'm going to ask this morning how long it's taking him to finish a bottle. It should take like 10-15 minutes, right? It seems like if they'd push that morning bottle just a little further (to like, 9, like I keep telling them to!) then all would be right in the world because they're giving him a bottle super late (like 10-15 minutes before I get there) and its out of his omg-I'm-going-to-wither-away emergency stash. I'm on a client this week that's really throwing a wrench into my schedule or else I'd push for them not to give it. I just can't guarantee I'm going to be there at my normal time this week. I wonder if they'd be okay with calling me before giving him that late bottle. He's going 3 hours between feedings except when he first gets there and right at the end of the day. I swear he's not really hungry. I think it's just the easiest way to get him to settle down. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-me-sort-out-daycare-feeding#post-991402 Mon, 05 Aug 2013 18:57:52 +0000 Adira 991402@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@septemberlove: I'm curious how often they are actually stopping him to burp him while feeding and how long they give him little breaks. You should ask how long it takes him to finish a bottle. Maybe he's still eating them too quickly to realize that he's full.</p> <p>I suspect he's transferring just fine with you. If he seems content after and he hasn't just fallen asleep, I suspect you're fine! How long between feeds does he usually go with you?</p> <p>I bet what happened was that he was fussy and they just assumed he was hungry when really he just missed you or wanted some attention or something, and they stuck a bottle in his mouth, and he just started sucking on it because that's what babies do! You could also ask if he spit up at all - if he spit up most of it, that might be a sign he was overfed.</p> <p>*hug* Dealing with daycare (or really anyone that watches our babies) can be frustrating. I totally understand. &lt;3 </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-me-sort-out-daycare-feeding#post-991393 Mon, 05 Aug 2013 18:53:58 +0000 lomom 991393@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@JoyfulKiwi: yeah, he's the only breastfed baby. I learned that today. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-me-sort-out-daycare-feeding#post-991385 Mon, 05 Aug 2013 18:51:08 +0000 lomom 991385@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Adira: I really think they're mistaking some of his actions for hunger cues. When I dropped him off this morning, he was fine until I passed him off to a teacher. He had a MAJOR meltdown. I took him back and soothed him and the teacher said "he must be hungry!" And I told them I JUST fed him. I got his sheet this afternoon and they gave him a bottle about 10 minutes later. They're saying he's guzzling every bottle. I've asked several times if they're doing paced feeding because they say he "guzzles" the bottles. They say he's held upright and stopped frequently for burping. He ate 16oz in an 11.5 hour stretch between nursing sessions, which is within the 1-1.5oz guideline from kellymom. I'm worried he's not transferring enough, but given that he drains my breast, is awake and content after feedings, and has been consistently gaining appropriately (even without the bottles), I want to say he's nursing just fine but I just don't know what to think. Why would he have had a 4oz bottle 30 minutes after nursing seemingly well?!</p> <p>I'm just frustrated. :( </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-me-sort-out-daycare-feeding#post-986133 Fri, 02 Aug 2013 21:04:33 +0000 JoyfulKiwi 986133@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Adira: @septemberlove: my daycare doesn't have many exclusively feed breastfeed babies either. They kept trying to up his ounces for a while because the formula babies drank more ounces. But, I feel like daycare teachers really just are trying their best to communicate and do what they think is helpful for the babies/families. I doubt they'll think your a PITA for figuring out a schedule. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-me-sort-out-daycare-feeding#post-986127 Fri, 02 Aug 2013 21:01:42 +0000 Adira 986127@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@septemberlove: I'll probably continue sending 5oz, because I am able to pump enough to cover it and that's what we've been sending ever since he started daycare. But I'm not going to let myself be pressured to send more AND I'm going to try to insist daycare stick to the 3 hour schedule (although they've been doing that anyway despite telling me Xander's hungry sooner).</p> <p>I suspect that you're right that your LO doesn't need more than 4oz, but seeing an LC and doing a weighted feed might be able to confirm that for you. You could also (if you felt up for it) just feed him bottles one weekend to see how much he actually eats and if he does seem hungry earlier to you. I think it's hard for daycare (especially THIS early) to know what hunger cues really look like compared to boredom/wanting attention/wants to suck on something/wants to be held/etc.</p> <p>Also, 6-8oz/week is AWESOME. Xander's only gaining 4oz/week and he drinks 15oz/day at daycare! So your LO is doing great!!!</p> <p>AND don't worry about being a PITA with your daycare! You're PAYING them - they work FOR you. You want to try to work WITH them, but if you feel really strongly about something, definitely don't let them pressure you into doing something you don't want! When my daycare accidentally fed Xander all 4 bottles one day (we send a 4th extra bottle), they were acting like they did me a favor because then I wouldn't have to feed him for another 3 hours (they fed him literally MINUTES before I arrived). I was like "That's not helpful - now I have to pump when I get home." I don't know about your daycare, but mine isn't really used to dealing with breastfed babies, so it's definitely been a struggle to work the feeding issues out with them! I hope you're able to figure it out! :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-me-sort-out-daycare-feeding#post-986052 Fri, 02 Aug 2013 20:24:08 +0000 lomom 986052@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Smurfette: this is tempting. I doubt he's getting more than 4oz from one side though, which is all he ever takes at a feeding. I know babies are more efficient at emptying the breast than a pump, but I usually only am able to pump 2-2.5oz a side unless I am extremely engorged. </p> <p>@sunshineandsushi: I never considered that. He's been totally wiped out at the end of each day. Maybe he does just need more fuel for all the playing and extra excitement at daycare. </p> <p>@T.H.O.U.: he's gone six days over a two week period, so he's still really new to the whole situation. They said he's eating every drop and the bottles aren't leaking. I may try to see if they could offer his pacifier and rock him when he gets fussy in the morning and just try to see if he needs comfort, not food. </p> <p>@Adira: I'm so glad you got confirmation that he's getting plenty! Are you going to continue sending 5oz bottles or less? I might see if I can get into the LC next Friday and get some confirmation. I feel like I'm making a big deal over 2oz but I just want to do the right thing for LO. It's not the end of the world if he eats the extra 2oz, he was a late preterm baby and lord knows his ped is all over me about him gaining weight (he gains 6-8oz a week though!) so it's not horrible but I do wonder if that late bottle is affecting him wanting to nurse at night. </p> <p>I never realized how complicated this would be. I hope daycare doesn't think I'm a PITA :( </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-me-sort-out-daycare-feeding#post-986003 Fri, 02 Aug 2013 20:02:35 +0000 Corduroy 986003@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My LO's daycare also wanted more milk (18oz!) and everyone here helped me out. I found specifying feeding times really helped. I feed LO right before drop off, around 6:45, and ask that they feed her at 9:30, 12:30, and 3:30. They seem to want her to get another bottle in the afternoon but I made it clear that I will nurse her right after pickup, around 5:30. After a few days they said it was "just right." I give 4.5x3=13.5. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-me-sort-out-daycare-feeding#post-985963 Fri, 02 Aug 2013 19:44:17 +0000 Adira 985963@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>You could do what I did - go visit a lactation consultant to do a weighted feed and find out how much he's getting from you at a similar timing you want him eating at daycare!</p> <p>Xander's on the same schedule on the weekends as he is at daycare. Daycare was telling me he was getting hungry after 2.5 hours, though he can go 3 hours just fine at home. They wanted to either put more in the bottles or feed him more bottles, but I was reluctant, because I really felt like what I was sending was enough and he should be able to go 3 hours on it.</p> <p>So I visited an LC today and did a weighted feed! He ended up eating a whole ounce LESS from me than he does at daycare (he ate 4oz from me, but we send 5oz bottles to daycare). Then he ended up being fine for FOUR HOURS. So to me, this confirms that what I'm sending to daycare is fine.</p> <p>It's likely that your LO is just fussy for attention. Since he gets a lot of comfort nursing at home and being held, he is probably just looking for something like that at daycare. And they don't know him as well as you do, so they see him fussy, think it's close to when he's supposed to eat, and just assume he's hungry, when he's really not, and he just wants some attention.</p> <p>I hope you're able to figure this out! Good luck to you!! I know it's stressful when daycare is telling you something that you believe in your gut isn't correct! You're his mother and you know him best, so trust yourself! But it definitely helps to get some confirmation of what you think - visit an LC for a weighted feed if you can. That really helped my sanity. :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-me-sort-out-daycare-feeding#post-985920 Fri, 02 Aug 2013 19:30:49 +0000 T.H.O.U. 985920@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>How long has he been at daycare? I agree it sounds like they are feeding him early in the morning. Maybe once he's more adjusted they can push that back a bit? </p> <p>Also have you confirmed he's finishing every last drop of te 14 ounces. Is any leaking from the bottle or dribbling out his mouth? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-me-sort-out-daycare-feeding#post-985845 Fri, 02 Aug 2013 18:37:14 +0000 sunshineandsushi 985845@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>When my boys were younger and not yet eating solids, I did notice that they would need to take more bottles at daycare than they would on the weekends at home with me (I EP). I think that they are more stimulated at daycare because of all the activity, and coupled with not napping quite as long sometimes, I think that made them hungry sooner than the 3 hour mark I know that they could do at home. I would just have them feed him at the 2.5 hour mark if that's what they feel he needs. Once they did start solids, they dropped a bottle naturally and now have no problem making it 3 hours or longer at daycare between feedings. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-me-sort-out-daycare-feeding#post-985832 Fri, 02 Aug 2013 18:18:34 +0000 Smurfette 985832@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@septemberlove: I would just have them feed every 2.5 hrs maybe he is getting more then 4 ozs nursing so that is why he can go 3 hours at home. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-me-sort-out-daycare-feeding#post-985817 Fri, 02 Aug 2013 18:04:28 +0000 autumnlove 985817@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@septemberlove: Ah yes, mine is the same way but I thought maybe other daycares allow it.<br /> Hmmm...I would probably try to squeeze in some pumping sessions on the weekend.<br /> Good luck, figuring out feeding is stressful! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-me-sort-out-daycare-feeding#post-985812 Fri, 02 Aug 2013 18:01:36 +0000 lomom 985812@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mewtill: he naps whenever, I never had him on much of a schedule. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-me-sort-out-daycare-feeding#post-985803 Fri, 02 Aug 2013 17:59:16 +0000 lomom 985803@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@autumnlove: They arent allowed to mix bottles. :( I don't mind sending the ready to feeds for his cubby for the occasional extra hungry day, but if he truly needs more than I can pump then I want to mix a formula bottle at home to send in. (And I'd like to try to boost my supply.) I use those $5off coupons similac sends to buy the ready to feed. It makes a case of 8 2oz bottles about $1-1.50, so I have a ton, but I also have a ton of powdered too. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-me-sort-out-daycare-feeding#post-985791 Fri, 02 Aug 2013 17:52:54 +0000 lomom 985791@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Smurfette: he's 3.5 months, so not due for a growth spurt and not acting like its a growth spurt. It's not a wonder week either :-/ all our bottles are the dr browns 4oz bottles so I'm hesitant to go buy bigger bottles. They say he's totally content after 4oz, he doesn't act like he wants more. It makes me feel like maybe he's not nursing well but I hear swallows and he's draining my breasts. I just don't know :( </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-me-sort-out-daycare-feeding#post-985784 Fri, 02 Aug 2013 17:49:03 +0000 autumnlove 985784@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Can you leave a tub of formula there for them to use if he goes through the BM? </p>