Hunger Strike at Day Care and Marathon Feeding All Night

I'm ashamed to say that I work part time at a daycare. It has flexible hours that I can work while my kids are in school and be home with them in the after school. I know daycare for babies seems all fun and games at first, but from behind the scenes, all your baby needs is her mommy. Sorry if my words of wisdom are blunt but I've seen too many sad babies to remain quiet.

Of course things are different now, her little world has been turned upside down by being stuck in daycare all day. Of course she is in a good mood when you pick her up-she has missed you all day.

AT HOME WITH YOU she is able to do things on her terms, in her familiar surroundings. AT HOME WITH YOU it is all about her and her needs. AT HOME WITH YOU she is able to cuddle and get attention and be loved. AT HOME WITH YOU she is the most important person.

At daycare she is in competition with other babies for feeding, attention, play time and even a diaper change. She is in competition with the teacher who wants her break or lunch hour or is in a bad mood that day. She is fighting for sleep and quiet while other babies are crying and the lights are at full glare. Strangers are telling her "it's OK" when to her it isn't. Soon she will be getting sick a lot. Eventually those babies will be on the move and the biting will begin.

If at all possible, stay home and enjoy every minute with your gorgeous 6 month old.

Yes-I think its time to start introducing some solid foods like cereal for sure. This is very hard what you are trying to do. I'm sure you have no choice but to go back to work, but you have to understand that this nourishment thing is a very personal thing to baby. I can understand why she would not want someone else feeding her... because that was a special thing between you and her and no, she is not ready to give it up. Hang in there. Do what is right. It isn't easy.

Hi L.,

I went back to work when my son was 3 months old and even at that age he went on a hunger strike for the first couple days I was gone. But then he adjusted and with time did just fine during the day.

Your baby may just need some more time to adjust too, and like others have said, probably misses you during the day. One thing that I was fortunate to be able to do was nurse my son during my lunch break since his daycare was close to my office. Maybe you could try something like that. Whatever you choose to do, just try to be consistent with it and she'll follow your lead.

Good luck... everything works out in the end.

When I went back to work my twin boys got themselves on the "reverse nursing schedule" this is where they snack during the day and eat all night. My boys were no dummies and they would rather have it from the source. I know some moms intentionally do this schedule, I learned about it in my lactation specialist class. I think that she misses you and wants to spend this time with you.