Daycare Boy Sick

Updated on October 09, 2010
N.L. asks from Neosho, MO
15 answers

I have a boy in my daycare he is 11 months old and has been throwing up quite frequently i sent him home early day before yesterday because he couldnt keep anything down. I have had other concerns about him and tried to talk to his parents about this but they seen to think he is fine. At 11 months he cannot pull himself to a sitting position he cant crawl. he has made some huge leaps in development recently like holding his own bottle clapping and saying dada but he is still very behind (he can do most things a 6-7 month old can do) He has always been very stiff wont bend when you hold him and his stomach is very hard after he eats anything its like a rock and you can hear the liquid in his stomach sloshing around. He has never been a puker until this week. Im not sure what to do I know his parents are no longer taking him to a pediatrician and im not sure he has had his shots? Do any of you have any idea what might be wrong with him or what I should do?

He has always been very fussy never babbles just cries and fusses all the time.

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So What Happened?

I cant see any other way to respond to your replies than this (this is my first post) I have a small in home daycare we are in the process of getting liscensed and i just recenlty asked for shot records she told me he has had his shots but he has been here for 6 months and i have never heard her say that he got shots or he had an appt? He wasnt a premie, he can move his head but some things that are bothering me is he wont keep eye contact he cant figure out how to get food out of his hand and into his mouth... So you think I should send him home until he comes back with a drs note?

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N.R.

answers from St. Louis on

First talk to the parents and tell them that he has to be seen by a doctor immediately or you will be forced to hotline them for medical neglect.
The child has developmental delays and they may need a push to get services for him. Good luck

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L.M.

answers from Dover on

I would talk to his parents and explain that while you value their opinions as his parents, you are very concerned. Explain that with the vomiting you really can't have him back in daycare until a doctor has examined him and gives written authorization that he is not contagious and it is ok to have him return.

As for development, many normal kids develop late...I suspect because the parents can sometimes baby them too much and not let them do the things they could....like holding a bottle.

If that doesn't get him to the doctor, you could then follow the suggestion of MamaBear09.

As for the shot records, you need to put your foot down and demand a copy by a set date. You presumably have other kids in your care and for everyone's safety need to insure they are all up to date. Also, if you are getting licensed, you will be REQUIRED to have the records.

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A.C.

answers from Columbus on

I think you're right to trust your instincts--something is wrong, though what it is is probably impossible to determine except by a pediatrician.

If you're in the process of getting licensed w/ the state, call your contact(s) at the state and ask them if they have information on what is appropriate/allowed in cases like this.

You may also want to call Child Protective Services and talk to them aobut your concerns. I believe you can talk to them anonymously.

And thank you for trying to help this little boy--it sounds like he really needs an advocate for his wellbeing, and I'm glad you're trying to help him get the help he needs.

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G.W.

answers from Wichita on

I am a home daycare provider in Kansas. Parents can be tricky to deal with. It sounds like your concerns are justified, but getting the parents to understand that is hard. In Kansas we have licensing laws that all children need an immunization record on file with us to receive child care. I don't know what Missouri's laws are, you might look into that to get him to a doctor. Also, as far as developmentally, Our county has child development specialists for parents and providers to do screenings. I can have her come and do a breif screening on all my kiddos as a service to my parents. And because you are offering it to all parents you are not singling this child out. I also send home a monthly newsletter with little articles and things for the parents. You could include activities for families to do together, developmental skills information and stuff like that. It helps parents and also adds value to your child care. Good luck, I know this is a challenging situation for you.

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M.S.

answers from Los Angeles on

Sounds like he has an intollerance to something he is eating. Not much you can do but since you have him in your care, maybe keep a food journal?

You should know what shots he's had but whether he's up to date on shots or not is irrelevant in my opinion.

I wouldn't worry about the not crawling (many kids go straight to walking) or not pulling up or bending. My daughter was exactly the same - I was never concerned. She is now a very bright 7 year old.

Vomitting/diarrhea/fever are reasons for concern though. You could always tell them you need a dr.'s note before he returns?

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S.H.

answers from St. Louis on

sounds like an intolerance to the formula. I had one child who had the same symptoms: the rock-hard belly, the body stiffness, the sloshing, & the fussiness. Gas drops did not help. Body massage did....but didn't eliminate the problem. Switching to formulas helped, but the biggest change came when we really got into "real foods". Kinda strange, I think!

As for the developmental issues, he's pretty close to being on track. I currently have a very insecure child in my daycare. He will not hold his own bottle....will go hungry rather than hold it! I know he is capable of doing his bottle, because he can hold toys. & as for the clapping & dada....that's great! The issue of not crawling/pulling up......also can be "normal" for this age. One of the other boys in my daycare.....never crawled....he army-scooted & that's it. He did not pull up until almost 1.... & is 14 months & still not wanting to walk! (16 months is usually the cut-off for most drs before they begin testing.)

I'm thinking (hoping/praying) that this child has a stomach flu virus. I think the delays you're seeing in his physical abilities can be normal for some children. I would focus on holding & nurturing him more.....to soothe him, to help him learn to relax. I remember a co-worker who simply could not stand the parents of one of the babies (at the daycare where I worked) & the child "felt" it. He acted out every single time my co-worker held him.... kids sense these things!

& as for the shots issue: you are running a daycare. You have the right & the legal responsibility to make sure all children are up-to-date on their medical requirements ......in accordance with your local health dept. Create a standard letter requesting proper documentation & proof of immunizations......& hand it out to your families. Set a deadline for confirmation of this information.....& stick to it. Good Luck!

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R.K.

answers from Boston on

you don't require vaccine records? As a daycare provider you are a mandated reporter so report them. From your post it seems like they are not properly caring for their baby.
edit: licensed or not you should have vaccine records in your hand not just them saying yes is vaccinated because that's not good enough. You need to know. Also if he is vomiting and its just because of formula or an intolerance to something else you need to know that he is not contagious. Most daycares and schools have the following rule: no vomiting/diahrrea for 24 hrs following a stomach bug, fever free w/o meds for 24 hrs before returning, no sore throats, runny nose should be clear, etc If is there today and vomits send him home and tell them he cannot return until you have a copy of the vaccine records and doctors note.
edited: If they allow their child to suffer everytime he eats w/ gas, hard stomach, and obvious pain/discomfort and have not gone to the doctor for a diagnosis IMO that is neglect. Others may disagree but not getting proper medical care for a child is NOT right.

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D.H.

answers from Indianapolis on

You're on very difficult ground here.......if you help the child, you could end up with hate from the parents...........if you don't and you continue to to try to talk to the parents, you could have something even worse happen to the child.

I would probably take him to the hospital or at least call child protective services.....but think before you do this.....you know the parents, will they do something really stupid? You don't want them coming to your home with a gun or doing something really dumb.......if you can make this call without giving out who you are, that might be the way to go......people seem to do stupid things these days and you need to consider that........I'm on the child's side here, so, do what you can.

Either way, good luck and take care......

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S.C.

answers from Dallas on

Years ago I was a registered day care provider in the State of Texas. Every state has different rules but they all require that the provider has a copy of immunizations it is a health issue for all of the children that you watch. Early intervention services during the first years can make a big difference in a child’s life. Early Support for Infants and Toddlers (formerly the Infant and Toddler Early Intervention Program or ITEIP) provides services to children birth to 3 who have disabilities and/or developmental delays. Eligible infants and toddlers and their families are entitled to individualized, quality early intervention services in accordance with the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), Part C. ( this is free of charge)
To learn about typical development and what to do if you have concerns, read this
birth to 6 pre-screening chart http://del.wa.gov/publications/esit/docs/PrescreenChart_E... or call the Family Health Hotline at 1-800-322-2588.

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S.T.

answers from Kansas City on

well first off if you are a daycare provider you have to have records of each kids shots on file I know I do for my in home daycare so I would tell the parents you need a copy and if he isnt current I wouldn't let him come back till he is or you have a doctors note saying something. You don't want him to pass on anything to the other kids.

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K.G.

answers from Sarasota on

At the preschool/daycare my children go to, not only do I have to provide up-to-date shot records, I also have to provide a form for their yearly physical that shows they have been cleared as healthy by their pediatrician or if there are any health issues, what they are (allergies, developmental, etc.).

The preschool also does not allow children to attend on the days they are vomiting, have a fever, or have severe diarrhea. They require the parents to keep the child until 24 hours have past with no symptoms to reduce the spread of illness.

Not sure what the requirements are in your state, but it seems all this is logical for a licensed daycare center.

While I would not go to the point of accusing them of neglect at this point, it seems perfectly okay to require them to provide such information as I listed above, AND require that the child stay home until the vomiting is over or when the child has been cleared as healthy by a pediatrician, in case the vomiting is due to an allergic reaction to something he is eating/drinking.

I hope you can work things out.

Good luck!

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G.B.

answers from Tulsa on

To get your license you will have to have a current copy of his shot records in his file, tell her it is now a requirement but the state, that makes it out of your hands and the states issue. She can't argue with that. She will have to give you a new copy every time he gets more shots because your copy must be up to date. If your licensing worker comes in she will look at your records and if his shots are not up to date you'll have to call his parents to come get him and it will be part of the inspection report which is public record on the states website.

As for the developmental stuff. There are lots of websites that show developmental milestones for children. If he's truly that far behind it will become evident as he gets older. Just take the best care of him that you can and keep a close eye on him.

As for the vomiting, he can't legally be in your care until he has gone over 24 hours without vomiting. It becomes his parents word against yours if he comes again and does the same thing and start vomiting. Call them to pick him up again and again if he is vomiting. Other children have to be your concern, plus yourself. You don't want a virus or other stuff making you ill too. If it's GERD or something like that then he may just have these issues and outgrow them when he gets off the bottle. He's 11 months old, he should be eating table food soon and onto regular milk. See how he does after that.

In my part of Oklahoma a local Mental Health Agency has a counselor that goes around to the child care centers and offers support to teachers that have a difficult child or they have burn-out going on. I would call around to the centers and other home care givers and ask if anything like this is avail. to you.

As for taking the child to a hospital or doctor, obviously this is against the law and you cannot do it, but if your licensing worker is around and "observes" the child she may be able to tell you if he is in crisis or not.

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J.O.

answers from Chicago on

Was he early? How ling have you been caring for him? If you are a licensed day care in your state are there resources you could refer the parents to so they can have him really checked out? Ask the parents if either of them has any allergies too.Can he turn his neck, follow a object with his eyes, bring a toy to his mouth, does he eat anything else besides formula? If he does not find a clinic for the parents let them you are concerned about this little guy and offer to met them there with him if taking time off of work is a big issue for them if you can. Your heart is in the right place Good Luck!
J.

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J.B.

answers from Atlanta on

You need to require her to provide you with his shot record from his doctor! I would also suggest they take him to his doctor and if they say "No," I would ask why! YOU are in charge of this boy all day long, so you do have a say in this. It sounds like something is a bit off somewhere with his care, so their attention needs to be called to it. I would absolutely require that he see a doctor and that they provide a shot record before you allowed him back.

S.Y.

answers from Sharon on

i would get children and youth services involved and possibly get him to the hospital and see if it is normal sounds to me parents are neglective deffinately get child endangerment services involved and if you take him to hospital they will get children and youth services involved and they could loose there son

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