DCP has problem with...

[Shaunsmom]

I received an email at work yesterday morning from my LC friend who works in our local WIC office. Apparently, DCP called the co-worker of LC friend with concerns that we have chosen not to feed DD solids. Said co-worker is the infant nutrition liaison between WIC and DCP.

I am so torn on this. LC friend will write something up on my behalf that says DD can start to have 1 tablespoon per meal of either soft, diced fruits or veggies or a cereal like Cheerios. Or, if we prefer- she can write up something stating that DD is to be on EBM only while at daycare.

I know our daycare is regulated by the WI state DPI and daycare is following the DPI guidelines or whatever.

I was annoyed all day yesterday that DCP called the WIC office with their concern. It was not brought to my attention at all. And, I'm at the daycare everyday during lunch...DD is only there part time, which is 3 days per week.

DH and I want to be able to control what solids DD is taking in. I see how much baby food the teachers in DD's room feed the other babies who are all either a month older or a month younger than DD. They're fed 4 ounces of mixed cereal with pureed foods and then offered up to an 8 ounce bottle afterwards. (DD will be 9 months tomorrow.) The teacher's make the solids the primary source of nutrition and I don't want them trying to overfeed her while I'm not there, you know- cuz "she should be eating solids by now". Whateva.

DD does eat small amounts of solids at home. Though, not daily and not in amounts greater than a few bites. Most times, we make EBM slushies and feed that to her.

Breakfast time is fine at daycare, as she's already nursed from me in the morning. It's lunch time that I'm concerned with. The infant room has lunch at 11 am and I'm not able to go nurse DD until my lunch which is 11:30. I don't want the teachers to feed her food just before I go nurse her.

I know, you might be thinking- my child/my decision, right? I want to do the right thing and it's not forcing solids on DD because it's our DPI guidelines. What would you do? I can agree to the 1 tablespoon max of soft fruits/veggies/Cheerios being offered per meal, as long as it's being "offered" and not forced on her.

[Psyche]

I would be livid that she called the WIC office.

I don't think the tablespoon is too much at all, but thats beside the point (and how do you know she'll only give her a tablespoon). The call to WIC would send me over the top and she'd get an earful.

[Becca75]

I agree with Psyche. I live in WI and I've worked in a day care center. We always followed the parents' wishes to the letter. It is not their job to make decisions for you. I'd have a little discussion with the daycare director and the person who called WIC.

To be honest with you, I'd also have reservations with sending my kids to a daycare where they may not listen to your directions. If they are that way about food, who knows what else they don't pay attention to?

[Shaunsmom]

I re-read my original posting. I need to clarify something. I may have used the wrong terminology.

DD goes to daycare at a daycare center. If we as parents have a concern with anything at daycare, we need to address the infant room teachers. If the concern is not resolved at that level, then we address the supervisors. If the concern is not resolved at that level, then we address the center director.

I'm just ticked that the center (still haven't found out if the supervisor or the director called, as neither are in yet today) initiated contact with the WIC office in regards to their concern of DD not yet intaking solids on any regular basis. Why did they NOT call me???

And yes, I am concerned that the infant room teachers may not adhere to the 1 tablespoon of solids offered per meal. I am also very concerned that EBM needs to be offered first and foremost.

[jaelwoman]

Wow! They did all of this without talking to you first? Are there other alternatives for daycare in your area, cuz I'd be pulling my dd out as fast as I could. That was waaay wrong.

Yes, your baby, your rules. Of course you want to control what your baby eats. Is she malnourished? FTT? Underweight???? NO? then the daycare has no reason to be concerned and someone way overstepped their boundaries.

[Psyche]

I'm just ticked that the center (still haven't found out if the supervisor or the director called, as neither are in yet today) initiated contact with the WIC office in regards to their concern of DD not yet intaking solids on any regular basis. Why did they NOT call me???

And yes, I am concerned that the infant room teachers may not adhere to the 1 tablespoon of solids offered per meal. I am also very concerned that EBM needs to be offered first and foremost.

Yup. And if I could find different care, I would leave the center. Its unacceptable for them to call WIC. Just what were they hoping to accomplish? Did they want to educate you? Were they seeking to be educated? Because they think you're starving your baby and want to know if they need to do a CPS report?

[RedheadbyChoice]

You know, I don't have a problem at all with the call to WIC, presumably, it was to get information, not to 'tell' on you. It sounds as if they were asking if it really is a good idea, to NOT feed babe solids at this time. In and of itself, that doesn't bother me.

It bothers me that they're trying to tell you that they MUST feed your child.

[Sunnie]

You know, I don't have a problem at all with the call to WIC, presumably, it was to get information, not to 'tell' on you. It sounds as if they were asking if it really is a good idea, to NOT feed babe solids at this time. In and of itself, that doesn't bother me.

It bothers me that they're trying to tell you that they MUST feed your child.


this

[MommytoLuke]

I would be very pissed if that happened to me. If you and your child aren't ready for solids, then it's none of their business. Just because "mainstream" tells us they should start solids at 4-6 months your are depriving your child? Don't think so. At my LLL group we have most moms delaying until a year. Obviously these people need to be educated.

[JenniferH]

Were they calling because they are concerned or because they needed to get a waiver in order to not feed solids by 6 months of age?

When my kids were in daycare the provider was registered for a food subsidy program and she got a visit from a nutritionist every couple of months and had to be able to show what she was offering to each child. She had to show that she was offering a balance and not filling in with too much milk, or too much fruit, etc.

The "regulation" was that she had to start offering solids by six months or risk losing her subsidy. She had to have a note from me (and maybe our health care provider as well) that showed it was okay to delay.

[StElmosFire]

My whole problem with it is they didn't even talk with you about it before calling WIC.

[RedheadbyChoice]

But why would they need to speak with her before making an informational call?

Again, I think momma has the final say in what to feed babe but I can't make out DCP to be evil because they were trying to gather more information.

[Babyblue]

was it trying to gather info to try and push or scare the mom into submission? as in "oh you have to do this because babys should be eating such and such by this age acording to wic"? I dont trust dcp at all, in my experence they say one thing and then do whatever they please behnd your back.

[RedheadbyChoice]

And we don't know that DCP was or is trying to pressure her into doing anything, since the OP hasn't even spoken to DCP about it. Hell, it's hearsay to start, since call about the call came from the LC friend of OP's. KWIM? And really, if WIC calls the LC person, to ask about a child's nutrition, should they be saying which child it is? And should the LC person then be able to call that mother about it?

I guess I'm just not willing to paint DCP as evil, without knowing a lot more information.

[QuiltyConscience]

If the daycare merely wanted information about feeding solids, the call to WIC should not have included the op's info. Obviously enough information was relayed by the daycare for the LC friend to know who the daycare was referring to. That's a needless invasion of privacy, IMO.

I'd certainly want to talk to whoever made the phone call and ask why this was not discussed with me.


Either I really don't understand something, or that is really invasive.

I would be angry about that. What reason does the daycare have to be consulting WIC about your child? WIC is not an enforcement agency.

Why in the world would you need a letter written by an LC on your behalf to show the daycare anyway? I have never heard of anyone needing permission/blessing from WIC to have a baby fed EBM at Daycare.

I hope you get top the bottom of this, it just makes no sense.

[QuiltyConscience]

But why would they need to speak with her before making an informational call?

Again, I think momma has the final say in what to feed babe but I can't make out DCP to be evil because they were trying to gather more information.


Gathering info, fine, telling the WIC office who specifically they are asking about, not so much.

[RedheadbyChoice]

Yep, hence my wondering about all of it. There's something wonky about the whole situation.

[QuiltyConscience]

Yes, wonky. That's exactly it, lol

[TayNRobbiesMom]

LOL waiting an update. I'm w everyone else dunno why they would call WIC other than for INFO. But if it was strictly INFO no need to name drop.

It's b/s...maybe they thought WIC would do something since they offer their clients cereal at 4 months ? (not that i agree w this...)

[Indigo]

I received an email at work yesterday morning from my LC friend who works in our local WIC office. Apparently, DCP called the co-worker of LC friend with concerns that we have chosen not to feed DD solids. Said co-worker is the infant nutrition liaison between WIC and DCP.

I am so torn on this. LC friend will write something up on my behalf that says DD can start to have 1 tablespoon per meal of either soft, diced fruits or veggies or a cereal like Cheerios. Or, if we prefer- she can write up something stating that DD is to be on EBM only while at daycare.

I know our daycare is regulated by the WI state DPI and daycare is following the DPI guidelines or whatever.

I was annoyed all day yesterday that DCP called the WIC office with their concern. It was not brought to my attention at all. And, I'm at the daycare everyday during lunch...DD is only there part time, which is 3 days per week.

DH and I want to be able to control what solids DD is taking in. I see how much baby food the teachers in DD's room feed the other babies who are all either a month older or a month younger than DD. They're fed 4 ounces of mixed cereal with pureed foods and then offered up to an 8 ounce bottle afterwards. (DD will be 9 months tomorrow.) The teacher's make the solids the primary source of nutrition and I don't want them trying to overfeed her while I'm not there, you know- cuz "she should be eating solids by now". Whateva.

DD does eat small amounts of solids at home. Though, not daily and not in amounts greater than a few bites. Most times, we make EBM slushies and feed that to her.

Breakfast time is fine at daycare, as she's already nursed from me in the morning. It's lunch time that I'm concerned with. The infant room has lunch at 11 am and I'm not able to go nurse DD until my lunch which is 11:30. I don't want the teachers to feed her food just before I go nurse her.

I know, you might be thinking- my child/my decision, right? I want to do the right thing and it's not forcing solids on DD because it's our DPI guidelines. What would you do? I can agree to the 1 tablespoon max of soft fruits/veggies/Cheerios being offered per meal, as long as it's being "offered" and not forced on her.

I would say no solids at daycare. She certainly doesn't need it during a part time thing and you will not be in control of how much they offer as they obviously don't think you are making a good decision, they really might push more than you would just to get some food into her.
So I would go with not solid food at daycare, and keep the experimenting at home.
I would be livid if she went through this process without discussing it with you. In order to be an effective team for caring for your daughter open communication is essential.

[camille97]

LOL waiting an update. I'm w everyone else dunno why they would call WIC other than for INFO. But if it was strictly INFO no need to name drop.

It's b/s...maybe they thought WIC would do something since they offer their clients cereal at 4 months ? (not that i agree w this...)

They offer cereal at 4 mos? I thought it was at 6 mos. Crap, that means I'm going to have craploads of it to donate to somebody who will use it. Juice, too. They give way too much of both. They told me I get the bf package for 6 mos.

[TayNRobbiesMom]

Im not sure how it is now...W/ dd (2.5) they gave cereal at four months juice at six...I was on it when i had ds but now we aren't. IMO they gave me a crappy breastpump LOL but it was free so im thankful. They didnt seem to know too much about bfing though...atleast in my area.

[Shaunsmom]

Sorry about not updating earlier. I'm also very much under the weather (sore throat so bad it hurts to eat/drink, massive headache, sore lower back, hot/cold chills, fever)...I came home from work early today, nursed DD and we went down for a nap for a couple of hours.

I'm not saying daycare is evil, by any means. We pay on a sliding fee scale each week. The daycare is one of two company daycares. The price for part time care for DD is $41.80 per week and the price for part time before school care for DS is $21 per week. Both prices include food and the daycare shuttles son to his school every day he's there. We can't afford a "real world" daycare, as we don't make enough money for the cost and we don't make enough to qualify for assistance.

I think I was more upset that whoever from the daycare made the call into the WIC office specifically in regards "to one of the infants here, Shaun." She is the only Shaun in both centers infant rooms. So when Jill received the call, she relayed the concerned call information to LC friend.

In WI, there's something in the Dept. of Instruction guidelines that says for a baby Shaun's age, there SHOULD be solids in their diet. IMHO, what does the DPI know about what's best for my daughter. If we aren't going to offer solids, then the center needs a medical waiver on file- which LC friend can sign off on for us.

I still don't know what the intent of the phone call was. If the call was for informational purposes, then my daughter's name should not have been used. If the call was to "tell on me", DCP has no idea that the ladies at our WIC office support nursing 100% and leave the introduction of solids up to the parents.

There was no supervisor or director in today to speak with about this. I'm not going to assume anything beforehand. I'm not as pissed off as I was when I wrote this post this morning. lol, being sick will do that to ya.

Our local WIC office is fabulous. We're not eligible for any WIC services but they can help with bfing in all ways, shapes, and forms. There is at least two WIC ladies that are registered dieticians and LC experts. Well, maybe not "experts" per se but they are required to attend "X" amount of time in bfing training each year.

I'm sure that DD is NOT malnourished or anything like that. She weighs roughly 22 lbs and is 33 inches long. We haven't gone in yet for her 9 month check up with pedi. That appointment is not for another 2 weeks. The big girl fits a 2T for shirts and 12 month pants. haha, she is not hurting in the weight area.

Let me know if you have any additional questions or concerns. Thank you!

[BeachMama]

First of all, I am surprised that your friend told you about the call. Shouldn't it be confidential?

Beyond that, I'd be pissed if they took it upon themselves to call WIC and 'report' your dd. If they were concerned, they should've brought it up with you.

It makes no sense that the WIC nutritionist would write a letter. Either YOU should write a letter or your ped should write the letter (assuming they need a letter).

[JenniferH]

IF the program is part of Federal Child and Adult Care Food Program through the US Department of Agriculture, then they do indeed need a waiver in order to not offer a child who is "developmentally ready" solids.

The program is administered by different programs in different states and WIC is often the program sponsor which is why they would have called them.

My daycare provider had to get the waiver - here it started with a note by me, but then the nutritionist at the Child Care Council had to grant the waiver (that is who administers the program here). My DCP and the CCC know that the regulations are archaic, but it was easier to get a waiver than to expect a literal act of Congress to change it.

Here is the link to what must be offered to an infant on the program:
http://www.fns.usda.gov/cnd/care/ProgramBasics/Meal%20Pattern.htm#Infant%20Meals

It is not only a program for low income families. If there are enough low income kids in a particular daycare (not low enough to be on traditional welfare) then all the kids there qualify for it. Our provider got it because she accepted the "Welfare to Work" progam payments.

[Shaunsmom]

BeachMama- I'm glad LC friend called and let me know what was going on. The initial phone call from DCP to WIC wasn't confidential.

The LC friend/WIC nutritionist has offered to write the letter. It's one less thing I need to worry about. I know that me or the pedi "should" write the letter. If LC friend does a great job on it (and it's acceptable by daycare standards), that's great!

Thanks again for all the responses! I will post when I find out who called WIC and what the nature of the call was for:)

[camille97]

Im not sure how it is now...W/ dd (2.5) they gave cereal at four months juice at six...I was on it when i had ds but now we aren't. IMO they gave me a crappy breastpump LOL but it was free so im thankful. They didnt seem to know too much about bfing though...atleast in my area.

Huh. My local WIC loans out hospital grade pumps. If they are out, they give you a $250 personal pump. A medela, I think. They seem to be pretty knowledgeable about bf.

I will get the stuff and probably just give it away to people who need it and don't qualify for WIC. Right now I have 9 juices for this month left on my card and six between my cupboard and fridge. That's with three of us drinking it and only two of us getting it! Some months I give milk to my neighbors because we don't drink it all.

[TayNRobbiesMom]

camille,
we had to do the same w/ milk and juice and eggs too LOL. I called them 6 days post pardum and told them I needed a pump b/c i wasn't making enough (I had a script from DS's doc to get a pump but the medicaide was jerking me around) and they ASSURED me a pump would do me no good.

they gave me a bailey nurture III and to this day i can't get it to really work well. Perhaps user error. also when i called in to ask about thrush they told me solely to phone the doc. I explained i already had and was just looking for ways to lessen the pain til the appt. They offered me a can of form. if i was unable to nurse!!!

[camille97]

they gave me a bailey nurture III and to this day i can't get it to really work well. Perhaps user error. also when i called in to ask about thrush they told me solely to phone the doc. I explained i already had and was just looking for ways to lessen the pain til the appt. They offered me a can of form. if i was unable to nurse!!!

well, good thing we have bf.com for help.

[TayNRobbiesMom]

Yes, when they couldn't tell me how to relieve the pain or even really encourage me thats when I came here!

Glad they are better in your area though!

[BeachMama]

BeachMama- I'm glad LC friend called and let me know what was going on.
I would be too, I just figured that wasn't information they could share.