I run an in-home childcare, and over the last 3 weeks, I had a 2 year old girl start. Since her second day here, she throws up, always at meal times 2-3 times a week. She only does this here, not at home, and not at her previous childcare. At first I thought it was milk related, because it was generally during breakfast and lunch time, and it was always white. But that's changed over the last few days. Any tips? I've thought about asking her parents to pack her food to bring with her, but her mom has looked at our menu, and says that her daughter loves everything on it. I just need some advice. Thanks all you wonderful mommy's!
another thought......
any signs of aspergers syndrome? The sight of certain foods can make an aspergers child nauseated and upset. Look up the signs of aspergers syndrome and see whether this child fits.
A couple of things come to mind:
Could it be a certain ingredient or seasoning in what you fixing (that may be different then at home)?
Could it be nervousiness about her new setting and/or being away from her mom? Or being around too many people?
Could it be something else (a smell for instance) in your home? My daughter is super sensitive to smells and loud sounds and has a tremendous gag reflex.
Keep a food journal - could be an allergy. If not than something is upsetting her tummy (I guess that is obvious). But I'd start with a food journal.
My step son use to do the same thing when he came here, but would not do it at his moms house. He is 5 and sometimes will still do it if he dosn't get his way. He is normaly very queit and well behaved and well mannered. I first thought the same as you but after a while realizes it was behavior related.
Is the routine very way different than at the last daycare...like after lunch right to bed or some such and maybe the last daycare had a different deal? Could be anxiety over what is next in the day? I have had daycare children with big anxiety like that that we worked thru..not quite your severe issue...but not eating...gagging on foods, etc. Till we hammered it down to he wanted/needed MORE space for sleeping...and to be near a window where he could see a tree? My nap room is dark and snug with many pack and plays and toddler beds (looks like a dorm..currelty 4 cribs and 2 toddler beds)..and he was claustrophobic I guess.
Just a thought.
Could be anxiety-related. Try having her eat lunch with just you or one of your aides. Depending on where se was before, she may be nervous. It probably wouldn't hurt to write down what she ate to see if there is a pattern.
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My son used to throw up sometimes at meals if he ate too fast or took too big of bites. He wanted to get dinner over with so he could run and play, so he would choke and throw up. Watch her when she is eating to see if this is the cause. Maybe she is just excited at so many new things to do that she is eating too fast.
It could be seperation related. Some kids get fussy tummys when they are nervous, or anxious.
T.,
I am a foster dad and my 1 yo does this. I'm not sure his past but he will gag himself on purpose if he feels he is not getting enough attention. It took a while to break him of this, but I noticed he would shove his little finger down his throat before he puked and when I kept telling him no he would try to hold his breath until he puked. I'm not entirely sure this is the case with this girl, but watch her behavior closely and see what happens just before she vomits; it may have nothing at all to do with the food. The other thing may be her feelings; because you are feeding her and you are not her mom then she may be puking in protest. If this is the case it may go away on its own after she gets used to you taking care of her.
Do you serve her or let the kids select their foods? Maybe she's overeating or getting too excited after eating?
Try to narrow down any particular food/drinks etc where it seems to happen.
I agree it sounds like anxiety--is she happy while she's there? Poor kid!
