Now I'm getting nervous -daycare starts on Monday

"cjra" wrote and I snipped:

I hope it works out like that. I just have this feeling she'll be
screaming for hours because she's so hungry! I'm not bothered about
having to nurse her constantly when I'm with her, I'll do it if
necessary.

I can understand your anxiety, but it's unlikely your DD will be screaming.
She'll probably be fascinated by the toddlers. And, an experienced daycare
provider may know just the thing to get your DD to drink. Don't borrow
trouble.

{hugs}
-Patty, mom of 1+2

PattyMomVA wrote:
"cjra" wrote and I snipped:

I hope it works out like that. I just have this feeling she'll be
screaming for hours because she's so hungry! I'm not bothered about
having to nurse her constantly when I'm with her, I'll do it if
necessary.

I can understand your anxiety, but it's unlikely your DD will be screaming.
She'll probably be fascinated by the toddlers. And, an experienced daycare
provider may know just the thing to get your DD to drink. Don't borrow
trouble.

Thanks for the reassurance. I really hope so. It's just a huge anxiety
on top of the usual separation anxiety *I* am feeling. She's a bit
needy - has a hard time napping unless we're holding her, wants to be
held a lot, etc...then again because she's my only one and because she
had such a rough start I indulge her that much. According to my parents
I was so fiercely independent even as a new baby, so I expected my
daughter to be as well. I love the cuddling though.

"cjra" wrote and I snipped:
PattyMomVA wrote:
I can understand your anxiety, but it's unlikely your DD will be
screaming.
She'll probably be fascinated by the toddlers. And, an experienced
daycare
provider may know just the thing to get your DD to drink. Don't borrow
trouble.

Thanks for the reassurance. I really hope so. It's just a huge anxiety
on top of the usual separation anxiety *I* am feeling. She's a bit
needy - has a hard time napping unless we're holding her, wants to be
held a lot, etc...then again because she's my only one and because she
had such a rough start I indulge her that much. According to my parents
I was so fiercely independent even as a new baby, so I expected my
daughter to be as well. I love the cuddling though.

Believe me, I know where you're coming from. DD, my first, would only nap
20 minutes at a time, wanted to nurse when not napping, and could not be put
down. I was sure no care provider would invest the time necessary to keep
her happy, and she would cry all day when I went back to work. I carefully
chose a provider, and she adapted. I credit the distraction of having the
other kids to watch combined with her resilience to make-do without me. :-)

Good luck,
-Patty, mom of 1+2

"cjra" wrote in message
oups.com...
And DD still won't take a bottle!


I had the same problem. DH had tried to give her a bottle without success,
my mom had tried with mixed success (the only time she took more than an
ounce was when I went shopping for a few hours), and when I tried *laugh*,
it was horrific. I tried many different types of bottles, and did find that
a faster nipple worked better, barely.
FF to D-day....she took a bottle no problem at daycare. Basically, once she
realized that I wasn't there and wasn't likely to appear she drank from the
bottle without fuss. Now, we did have a weird thing at the beginning where
she would only take a bottle from the first person who gave her a bottle
that day, so they had to make sure whoever started would be there all day.
She's now 9.5 months and even takes a bottle from me!
My suggestion would be to make sure they have several types of bottles
available to use. DD has a very small mouth but likes a fast flow, so we
ended up with #3 Avent nipples as the best match.

Good luck!
Amy

"cjra" wrote in message
Well, we've had about 10 different people try. I usually don't bother
given I know she'd prefer the breast if she's leaning right against it,
but I have tried on occassion and the next few days will have to do so
since no one else is around.

It's different with providers that do this kind of thing day in and day out.
There are tricks of the trade and they will get through it if they are good.
And since you are just trying, she may know that you will eventually give
her what she wants. She will learn at daycare that she will have to take a
bottle or sippy cup in order to eat. However, she may take in very little
and wait for you.
--
Sue (mom to three girls)

Thanks to all for the advice, we're still working on it. I dropped DD
off for 1.5 hours on wednesday, and she didn't do too well. She was
fine for 30 mins, but then started fussing - babysitter thought it was
because she finally realized I wasn't there. we'll go back on Sunday
and stay with her while babysitter holds her for an hour. She tried to
give her the bottle and no dice. I mentioned some other options - sippy
cup, syringe, and she's willing to try. So we'll work on the sippy cup
this weekend.

A colleague whose 6 month old refused the bottle suggested I try with a
bit of diluted apple juice, for a different taste. But she's only 12
weeks old! pedi said juice was ok at 3-4 months, but I hadn't planned
on introducing anything til 6 months (tho if feeding issues persist may
do so at 4-5). Any thoughts on that?

If you used a sippy cup, was it a special kind? DO the sippy lids screw
onto the playtex bottles? (the kind with the bag)

To add to my anxiety, DD has had diarhea since Saturday - 7 days now,
tho it does seem to be improving. No fever, pedi wasn't concerned on
Tuesday. But I've been feeding her A LOT to make sure she's hydrated,
and she wants to feed a lot. I know she'll get less Mon/Tues at least,
so now I'm paranoid about dehydration if she's still got diarrhea.

AND, the poor little thing also has a cold, as do I. SHe seems to be
tolerating it better than I though, my head's about to explode. She's
sleeping a lot today, finally, and eating a lot. I've been clearing her
nostrils out and doing the steam thing. She had her shots Tuesday but I
think it's related to our trip (airplanes and all that). Poor kid. I
feel like I'm abandoning her at her worst time! I knew going back to
work would be hard, but with all these issues I'm miserable, plus I
feel like crud now.

cjra wrote:
Thanks to all for the advice, we're still working on it. I dropped DD
off for 1.5 hours on wednesday, and she didn't do too well. She was
fine for 30 mins, but then started fussing - babysitter thought it was
because she finally realized I wasn't there. we'll go back on Sunday
and stay with her while babysitter holds her for an hour. She tried to
give her the bottle and no dice. I mentioned some other options - sippy
cup, syringe, and she's willing to try. So we'll work on the sippy cup
this weekend.

A colleague whose 6 month old refused the bottle suggested I try with a
bit of diluted apple juice, for a different taste. But she's only 12
weeks old! pedi said juice was ok at 3-4 months, but I hadn't planned
on introducing anything til 6 months (tho if feeding issues persist may
do so at 4-5). Any thoughts on that?

I'd skip the apple juice -- she seems waaaay too young.

Have you tried warming the milk or different temps to see if that makes
it more appealing? DD1 had a rough start at daycare @ 8 weeks, until
the provider started making the bmilk rather warm.

Oh heavens, it sounds like a crummy time for you, and you have my
sympathies. Truly, it's tricky, and I'll be thinking of you on Monday
and hoping all goes well.

Caledonia

"Caledonia" wrote in message
oups.com...
Have you tried warming the milk or different temps to see if that makes
it more appealing? DD1 had a rough start at daycare @ 8 weeks, until
the provider started making the bmilk rather warm.

Oh heavens, it sounds like a crummy time for you, and you have my
sympathies. Truly, it's tricky, and I'll be thinking of you on Monday
and hoping all goes well.

That, and the first week or two is usually the worst. New routine, new
people, all that. Sproglette's two and had a ****fit when we changed
daycares, even with a week's warning and a couple of visits in before we
changed over.

Jess

To add to my anxiety, DD has had diarhea since Saturday - 7 days now,
tho it does seem to be improving. No fever, pedi wasn't concerned on
Tuesday. But I've been feeding her A LOT to make sure she's hydrated,
and she wants to feed a lot. I know she'll get less Mon/Tues at least,
so now I'm paranoid about dehydration if she's still got diarrhea.

I would be surprised if the day care will allow her to come if she has
diarrhea.
Usually you need to be clear of any tummy upsets for 24hrs before
returning.

I hope you turn a corner soon and things fit into place. They WILL, you
just need time to adjust to the new routine.

Mary Ann

cjra wrote:
snip

I've tried every nipple out there. The nuk nipples gave the best
results, but she still fights it so much. DH tries, but gives in too
easily, which is why we've had friends try for the past 2 weeks. We
weren't consistent with trying just 'cause DH was always getting home
too late and DD is grumpy at night so I always try to nurse her instead
of turning her into more hysterics. I'm taking DD to the daycare
tomorrow for 1-2 hrs and will ask the babysitter to try then and see
how it goes. I just don't know what to do to get her to take the bottle.

Many many hugs. I wrote a similar post a couple of months ago, and I
feel your stress. Here's what helped me:

1. Buying nipples that were similar in shape and size to mine (TMI!).
So E used newborn nipples right upto when she stopped taking bottles at
8.5 months. Also she seemed to prefer latex to silicone.

2. Ask the baby sitter to offer the bottle in a position that's
different from the one you nurse in. Especially avoid offering the
bottle while her head is in the crook of the care giver's arm.

3.I forget what age A is (4 months ?). Consider introducing a cup in a
couple of weeks.

4. When mom is not around, and baby is hungry, baby is usually more
accepting of the bottle. My experience was that E took just enough to
take the edge of her hunger, and then had marathon nursing sessions
after I returned from work.

In the end I started solids (rice cereal only) and pushed the cup at
the daycare. The comination got us through the difficult patch until E
started taking the cup competently.

I know you are worried because of A's early issues and the stress of
change. But hang in there, I'm sure she will be OK. before you know it
she'll be starting solids and then things will get a lot easier too.
Plus you will see her at lunch as well so she's guaranteed one solid
feed anyway.

Good Luck,
PK (truly BTDT).