2 year old and formula

[Busy ECE mommy]

I've had a child in my care over a year now. The child is 2 yrs and parents are requesting that the child remain on formula versus milk(they do provide it) The child has no food allergies, and weighs more than my kids did at 3.5 years, so failure to thrive is not an issue LOL. The child's appetite in the last 6 months has dropped off significantly, and I know toddlers go through picky eating phases. The parents solution is to feed more formula when the appetite drops(about 30 ounces a day btwn here and home) I think the cause of the drop in appetite is too much formula(and calories) for the child's age. I guess it's the chicken or the egg thing....
Not sure what caused what. I don't believe it's developmentally appropriate for the child to "drink" the calories at this age. The child needs how to learn to chew/swallow/use utensils etc. Any thoughts on how to handle this?

[Lee-Bee]

You need to decide how much it bothers you. Odds are the parents will not come to see your point here. So if you can choose to continue as per the parents wish or just give an end date to formula. Please tell me it isn't in a bottle? If it is in a bottle then maybe that is your starting point. You'll continue to give the formula but only in a cup (not a sippy cup - either open top or straw cup). Set a time limit (he gets 5min to drink after meals then it gets put away).

What a disservice to the child. Toddlers are picky by nature...having them come to the table with a full belly just sets them up to never NEED to try anything. We know that children learn to eat new foods through exposure and trying. This won't happen if the child is full.

Unfortunately the odds are the parents likely won't change because you want them too. At best they will accept that you won't serve it anymore and they will increase the formula on their end to compensate.

Best of luck!!

[Suzie_Homemaker]

I would honor parent wish but provide in sippy AFTER the meal.

[Busy ECE mommy]

It's in a sippy now, not a bottle. I like the idea of giving after a meal, instead of with the meal.

[mickyc]

My contract states that I do not allow formula after 16 months. If they want to feed it at home all the power to them but here we eat food!

[5 Little Monkeys]

Not my child, not my decision IMO.

I'd do the same as Suzie.

[babydom]

Agree with 5LM and Susie. Not my child so can't have a say unless it's in my contact like mickyc. I would allow it but only AFTER snacks and meals. Not before or with food only after.

[33 Daiseys]

i woukd agree to it only if it is served after meals, as a touch up for vitamins and minerals. but never as a meal. For lunch kids are given water during lunch, and have milk with dessert.