Alergies with a 16 Month Old?

Does the mother mean the child has FOOD alergies or just allergies. He should be eating and drinking regular toddler foods. If he is not eating regular food and only eating from a bottle then that's the reason he just sits there with the food in his mouth, he hasn't had "practise" eating real food. If he has food alergies the mother might not know what to feed him. He also might be getting too much formula and thats why he's throwing up. He's too full of formula. If you don't feel like you want to watch him then don't, but as the sitter, I would ask more questions before just letting him go.

OK, here's another idea. If his only problems are primarily related to feeding, why not get ECI (early childhood intervention) involved? The can provide nutrition services, as well as OT or speech who can work on feeding. They can also provide mom with educational resources to help her understand what is appropriate for a child at that age to be eating. It's a state program, that is usually free of charge (there is a sliding scale co-pay, but your income has to be pretty high to have to pay, and I'm guessing this is not the case for her if she is complaining about the cost of baby food!) They come to the home, so they could come to mom's house, OR your house if mom signs a release, so you could get some information as well. Anyone can refer, all you need to do is have you or mom call the referral hotline which is ###-###-####.

Tell her to contact ECI (early childhood intervention). They have nutritionists that can address nutritional needs and instruct parents on what to feed children with eating problems and speech therapists help with swallowing. So I think for sure this baby would qualify! My mom works for ECI, so I hear about babies like this all the time. It's not normal. My baby started eating solid food off the table at 8months and at almost 18months eats full meals of pasta, meat, veggies, etc.
http://www.mhmrtc.org/ECI/

According to the website, you can make the referal: here's the info:

Parents, friends, neighbors, physicians, health and human services agencies, or anyone who is interested in children may make referrals to ECI of North Central Texas, serving Tarrant, Parker, Palo Pinto, Erath, Hood, Somervell, Johnson, Ellis, and Navarro Counties. To make a referral, please call: 888-754-0524.

L.,

From a lawful standpoint. As a daycare provider for this child, you have the right to ask for a note from the pediatrician regarding his eating/allergies/or lack thereof. Also, from a lawful standpoint, you, by law, are required to report this as potential neglect to Social Services if the mother refuses to comply with your request for a doctor's note. The comment you made about the mother saying baby food is too expensive could be an indication of neglect. Especially when at 16 months the child should be eating solid food; taking into account any allergies or medical problems (formula is not enough at this age). The pediatrician would have talked to the mother about an allergy diet or other medical accomodations and she should have relayed that information to you. Even if you were to stop caring for this child, if something happened to this child, you could be considered an accessory for not reporting it if this is indeed a case of neglect. I know this is not easy, I worked in private schools for 23 years and there were times I had to file reports with Social Services. I hated it, but I had to. If there is something going on with this child someone needs to stand up for him so he can have a future.

I have not read all the replies, but I agree that he should be eating more and it is NOT healthy for him to behave in this way.

It's also NOT acceptable that the mom just says she can't afford the baby food and it doesn't have nutritional value. You can buy a food grinder VERY cheaply and grind your own baby food if you're concerned about the nutritional value.

CPS needs to be involved because they can ensure that the child is receiving proper care in the home. You can't since you are just the sitter and as soon as you voice concerns the mom may just pull him out of your care........leaving you to wonder about his safety. If you involve CPS, you can separate yourself from her and the child without wondering if he ever got the care he needed -- since that's the job of CPS. That said, I would call it in as an immediate welfare check. The mom will have to give CPS the dr. information (not just with words, but on official type paperwork) about the child's "allergy" and what is to be done about it.

I would not continue to watch the child if I were you. Not only is it draining to you and distracts you from the other children, but in the end if the child has a significant problem while in your care, the CPS will also blame you -- I know this because it is a mandate to report anything "suspicious" for those in child care (like in the school system as well). If you don't report it, you could lose whatever license you have and all of your other clients as well........not to mention your own peace of mind if you lose a child in your care.

I have to agree with Michele S. who stated from a lawful standpoint you have a duty to report the neglect from this mother if she is saying baby food is too expensive....formula isn't??? Last time I checked it cost an arm and a leg to say the least. It's probably easier for her to feed him a bottle than to work with him on eating. Unfortunately neglect has a lot more ramifications, than lack of nutrition. Being a foster parent to three children who were removed from mom due to neglect, you wouldn't believe what all it affects. With that being said, however, I wouldn't report her without discussing it very gently with her. Maybe she doesn't have any family or any role models to help "guide" her in the care of the baby. God put you in this child's life for a reason. I understand that you can't devote all of your time to him with caring for others, but every little bit you do to help him, will go a long way. I agree with Michele that you should request in writing from the doctor more specifics and legally you should be able to as you are the child care provider. Good luck!

We have a 19 month old who is now off the bottle and eating/drinking age appropriate foods. But, it was a long process...

I can tell you right now that if you have not had a child with eating challenges than you should not be offering advice.

We wanted her to eat with all our hearts, but there was a lot more to it than that. She ended up having a really (still does) strong gag reflex, apirating, and just plain not knowing how to swallow food. She would either gag and throw up everything, or chew on something for 30 minutes. NOTE: She did much better when we gave her the food to put in her mouth or we just put it in her mouth (the spoon made her instantly get sick). She could not eat any baby food nor solids, until around 1 year old. Once she could eat some solid foods (cheese, yogurt, tiny pieces of bread), we started trying to wean her from the bottle. At around 16 months, she figured out how to drink from a sippy cup.

If you decide that you want to be there for this child, I suggest you make a list of foods... and keep trying... I also think sitting him next to the others, while they eat, may help him to see that it's OK to eat.

NOTE: She was NEVER able or willing to eat any type of rice cereal. I think the texture bothered her...

It's very easy to judge other people. I do not know the mom of this child. I doubt, if she is working and can pay a sitter, that it's a money issue... Maybe she just doesn't know how to deal with something like this? You might try finding some information about development at this age. Show the mom in a nice manner the info. Tell her that ECI will help (they helped us). They were great with suggestions and to just listen to our frustrations.

I would also tell her to go to another Pedi, to get a 2nd opinion. Our daughter ended up in the hospital twice with our 1st Pedi. She is doing great with the new one!

In conclusion, it's very easy to judge others... but, this type of situation can be extremely stressful. I am sure anything that you can do will be appreciated (if not now, in the future). Just do it for the child! :)

My little boy was diagnosed with celiac disease back in October- his poop was just like that. He wasn't throwing up, but he wasn't eating much and was having trouble gaining weight. We took wheat out of his diet and within three days his poop was solid and had completely changed color. He's so much happier now.

If it's not a milk allergy, you might suggest they check into gluten intolerance or celiac- it sounds to me like it could be that. My son got to the point where he was drinking TONS of milk too- I think it was the only thing he knew for sure wouldn't hurt his tummy.

McDonald's fries have wheat in them too, by the way. :) It's amazing the things that have hidden gluten in them that you'd think would be fine.

that doesn't sound normal...i would recommend seeing his pediatrician. he may need to be tested for allergies...my son has a milk allergy, and vomits after drinking milk...which if this little boy is...he might not want to eat because the food could contain milk. cheetos, have cheese, which has milk. my little boy would always stop eating if something had milk. (before we knew he was allergic)...and even now if its an accident that he eats something with a lot of milk, he will complain that "his mouth hurts"... my husband has a peanut allergy, and when he gets a small amount, he says his throat itches and kinda tingles/burns...so that's what i assume is sorta going on with my son too with his milk allergy. and kids have a keen sense of things like that...my son almost always stopped eating if there was milk in it. something doesn't sound right, and i would encourage the mom to look into it further. (if this is something that has been going on for awhile, and couldn't possibly just be a tummy bug.)

sounds like a bit of the stomach flu. My daughter just got over it. give him pedia lite and he will be fine

I would treat him like he was a six month old baby or a delayed child. I would give him rice or oatmeal cereal. Just like starting out a baby on solids for the first time and give him the cereal with mainly formula in it. Then, slowly work him up to more and more cereal and less and less formula. Or, puree fruits and vegetables in a food processor if the mom does not want to buy baby jar food.

i think it's a good idea to start from the beginning with him. I would also start him on cherios. just put them on his tray and let him feed himself. or those disovable puffs are great. He obviously has some eating problems and hasn't learned to eat right.

But really why are we still talking about baby food! at 16 months he should be on complete table food and feeding himself! My 12 month old eats all the same things my 2 year old does.

as far as watching him goes. You need to worry about you and your family first. if it is causing extra stress in you then you are not taking care of your family. I would sit down with the mother and talk about your concerns about his eating and his health. Talk about some changes or goals that maybe you could work on together. mentioned to her that you are considering not watching him anymore. Sounds like something is really wrong, and he could get very sick.

YES TOOO OLD for bottle YES TOO OLD fotr formula YES he doesn't knkow what to do with food because he has never had it.the only thingyou can do is when babe there dont give bottle only sippy dont give formula start like you would with little baby cearela then pured food then baby puffs then toddler size REAL food i hope yyou gat e verything straight. i think the mom is over babying 16 mo and maybe you should talk to her about your kids or ask her to plaese spend a day with yall and go to placess that have the same age kkids and let her SEE for herself how far behind he 16 mo is
my 21 mo has been eating reall food for almost a ear, and off bottle that same lengthof time heck my 9 mo is not eating like the 16 mo hell eat fries andeven chicken at md's

I think this child has more than allergies. If he is throwing up food and his poop is the consistency of cream - there could be something else wrong, like some sort of virus. He needs to go to the doctor ASAP.

I may sound like an overprotective mom, but if this were my child - he would be at the doctor's office now. I hope he will be ok.

I don't know where her money goes if it isn't first for rent and food, but sounds to me like she needs to get baby food down him expensive or not, or else mash up peas carrots etc. she cooks for him, or he will have malnutricion, and be suceptable to getting sick all the time. And if he throws up his milk, he needs another kind, until she finds a brand that he isn't alergic to. In case she didn't know it cheese puffs are much more expensive than baby food.She thinks cheese puffs has more nutrition than baby food. Sounds to me like she just doesn't want to mess with haveing to feed a baby, it does take time when they start and is messy with thesppoon etc. where she can just throw a cheese puff at him. If he can't manage food, I'd wonder if there is something wrong with his chewing or digestion that the Dr. didn't pick up on? Sorry I'm feeling real sorry for this baby, and I guess it shows.

This child should be off the bottle by this time. He should be eating solids, like chicken pieces, small pieces of apple, grapes, macaroni and the like. I am a registered child care provider that cares for infants and toddlers. By 12 months, children should be on whole milk and finger foods. If he cannot tolerate whole milk, you should have a doctor's note as to the type of formula he must have, and why. If he is still on baby food, he should have 2 full jars of fruit and vegetables, and some cereal as well. He probably should also be eating cheese, eggs, and other forms of protein. If the mom is not willing to go along with these nutritional guidelines, you are certainly well within your rights to ask her to find another care provider. Also, I would think about notifying CPS regarding his nutrition at home. The mom can get food through WIC if she wants. Please, for this child's sake, follow up on this! All children deserve to be fed properly and grow healthy!

I have a day care at home and seems a lot of picky eaters as they get older. I have a 2 yr old that will not eat a lot. I never gave my children much baby foods and pureed the table food. The meat I bought. But I also believe there is not a lot of great stuff in them. Fresh cooked and pureed takes a few min to prepare. I also have one child that was a preemie and we had a time getting him to eat. Now he will not eat the veggies and fruits. In the baby food I make I ad all sorts of fruits and veggies. This morning one is allergic to eggs so I have been making pancakes with applesauce. I added a banana to it and they loved it and never knew. Meat loaf I add carrots or peas. What ever and any time I can sneak in veggies I do. Home made bread with adding cheese. They suggest 2% milk now days the fat in whole is not as good. As long as it has Vitamin A and B in it. I think he is ok with the bottle depends on if he was underweight and if that is all he eats. But by a year they should be on all foods. My kids ate by themselves. They also did not use sippy cups. By one they should eat what we eat. They do have vitamins like gummy worms that will give kids a balanced diet if they will not eat.Whole grains, fresh over cooked or canned fruits and veggies. I will add some times canned with fresh if I am running low. Fresh then frozen then canned. But sounds like the parents are lazy in teaching him. My one that weighed 1.9 oz at birth is big and healthy and eating well. He does however sleep a lot and the doctor says that is ok. Great parents that are on top of his health. Older and smart. Some times we just can not progress if parents do not do their part. I think all parents should stay home to raise their children but we just find a two income rather then two parent home is more important and someone is raising our children. I started this because I wanted to be home with my granddaughter and day care is expensive. G. W

This child HAS food allergies to dairy obviously. Vomiting is a sign of anaphylaxis (life threatening). The form of his stools as you have describes is characteristic of food allergies.
Please, please, please, if possible, make the mother understand how serious it is and how important it is that this child should not be feed his allergens. His child could fail to thrive, be sick, and die.
If you decide not to care for the child anymore, be aware you may want to consider letting someone else be aware of the child's welfare and the mother's lack of capability in keeping him safe(medically negligent.) Knowing that a child's welfare is a risk and not doing anything about it makes you in a way responsible for it too.

The mom may want to take her son to another pediatrician. Our grandson had similar difficulties. When he was 7 months old he was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis. Later the same year, he was also diagnosed with celiac disease. Now he is a happy healthy (with the help of medication and special diet) 5 year old.

There is a disorder that makes it to where the child can not handle solid food and has to eat baby food for a long time. I have a friend with a 4 yr old who still needs soft foods.

I made my own baby food for my children. It's easy and then you freeze the extra portions and save it for the next meal. We froze ours in an ice cube tray. We would use the blender to turn the food into mush.

I would say that the child probably need some intervention in his life. If you decide to not watch the child and the mom doesn't seem concerned about her child you should call CPS.

L., it sounds like he definately has digestive problems. There are a number of illnesses it could be.
My now 4 & 1/2 yr old grandson had problems that sound like your little guys and the valve in the bottom of his stomach was the size of a pencil when it should have been nickel size. After the Gastrologist ran extensive test he went in and dialated the opening. That did fix the problem and he is still small but he is growing and gaining now but he was an extremely sick and tiny little boy. At 19 mo. he only weighed 17 lbs. his iron level was dangerously low thought they would have to give him a blood transfussion, he vomited after eating and stool was muchy and clay colored. Praise be to God we were able to get through with that one proceedure and the help of diet and vitamins. Like your little guy he couldn't eat and when he did he threw up very shortly. Do what you can from your end but his mother should get him to a specialist before other complication come up. I'll keep you in my prayers.