This makes me so sad!

My sisters and I went to a concert last night and we were updating each other on the family gossip. My mom's fiance's daughter (who lives with them occasionally) has a little girl who is 2 weeks younger than our boys. My sisters were tellling me that the baby is just barely 8lbs and no baby fat. Her mom gives her water and only feeds her 2oz every 3 hours. My mom has confronted her about the water and her response is "I want to keep the baby hydrated and her pedi okayed it!!" My mom told her that a 1 1/2month old is not supposed to be drinking water and that her formula gives her everything she needs. Also she only feeds her 2oz!! My sister has babysat the LO before and she said that the baby will take 4-5oz when she gives it to her. My mom said that one time she was feeding her and the mother came home and said "it's not time for her to eat" my mom responded "well she was hungry" and fed her 4oz. The mother went over to the baby and said "you should not be eating that much." Another thing that breaks my heart and angers me is that my sister said that when the baby is in her carseat, my sister can pull her out of her carseat with the straps still attached!!! My sister confronted her about the carseat and her response was "Well I don't want her to be uncomfortable." My sister responded with "well it could save your baby's life!"

She is 20 years old and definitely does not have her baby as her first priority. She is on WIC so I know she has enough formula to feed the baby.

This just breaks my heart for that LO.

 

It sounds like she has some mental issues. I would think that would be worthy of calling DFACS. Poor baby!

 

If I were you, or your mom, I would be on the phone to child protective services immediately. I cannot believe she won't give her baby more food than 2 oz., that is child abuse. I am sorry you guys have to deal with that, but seriously, that girl needs help and someone NEEDS to take care of that baby....since she is clearly NOT doing that.

 

I think it sounds like someone needs to call the authorities too... I remember one of the TV shows where a bf'ing mom was made to feel like she had to only bf... and basically her baby ended up dying b/c of lack of nutrition when she should have gotten help and/or used formula. I know its just a tv show... but being a mom is a huge responsiblity and evidently the 20 year old needs some help. Maybe there is a safe parenting class that she could go to before authorities are involved, but someone needs to intervene on the babies behalf. Both for the nutrition and for the carseat issue.

 

I agree...I would call the authorities as well! How awful!

 

That is terrible and I agree with pp .... someone should call the authorities, for the baby's sake. She doesn't have a voice so someone needs to step up and be hers. I just cannot understand some people's thinking and like you, it breaks my heart.

 

Please please please have someone call the authorities. That baby needs to be taken care of properly, and 2oz of food every couple of hours is NOT enough food for a baby. I had 5lb preemies, and after the first week of life, they were taking 3oz each feeding, every 2 hours.

For the sake of the child, please get the authorities involved. I just watched a horrid news story on child abuse, made me cry and sick to my stomach. As someone who struggled to have a family, I cannot imagine how others can be so cavalier about parenting.

 

Please call! This baby deserves better!

 

Could u find some information on nutritional requirements for the age of the child and present it to her, but I wouldn't like to leave it very long with the baby being underfed, its very scary.

Has your mom spoke to her fiance to approach his daughter

 

I would call asap. a baby can get dyhdrated froming having water or watering down the formula and it can happend overnight. I would also call her ped asap and ask them to page him if he has a call service. That is really serious! I believe child protective has to send someone within 24hours.

 

PS. If you could update all of us I'm sure we are all going to be thinking of this baby and hope that it gets the help that it needs. I just feel horrible Also you can be annoyomous if you call child protective service so they won't find out who called and even if they do who cares since the child's life is definately in danger. Good luck

 

She's starving that baby. Someone needs to call DCFS. Heck, give ME the information on her. I'll call.

 

oh no! my heart stopped for second!!

call DFPS asap before something bad happens to baby

https://www.dfps.state.tx.us/Contact_Us/Default.asp thats contact page for DFPS in TX

 

I would find out who the pedi is and call him and have him talk to her before calling authorities...my girl twin wasn't 8 lbs at 2 mos yet (and she was term - but tinyand NEVER had baby fat) and it took her months to work up to 4-5 oz of formula - in fact by the time they were done with formula at a year she never took more than 6-7 oz at a time...

 

:cry: I agree with the rest and hope that someone calls CPS.

 

I will update when I find something out. I am talking to my mom and seeing if she would be open to some information on nutrition and what the family can do to make sure that baby is getting proper nutrition.

I also found out that she has already gotten the baby's ears pierced.

I really don't think that she knows any better! Her boyfriend, who is the baby's father, has been physically abusive to her, and she says that they are no longer dating, but that is VERY questionable. She is not one to educate herself on parenting skills and how to better herself for mommyhood. She said that hospital did not check her carseat before she left because there are volunteers who take the moms and babies out to the cars, not nurses.

I am hoping that the family can do somewhat of an intervention and get her the help she needs.

 

Oh my goodness! This brings tears to my eyes. I hope that baby gets help and fast!

 

Agreed. :hug:

 

Ok, so I talked to my mom this morning and I have some good news. My mom said they sat her down and told her that she needs to contact her doctor and discuss the feeding and water issues. Also, my mom's 2 best friends are certified in-home babysitters and they have agreed to take the baby during the week and care for her since they know the situation. The mother has agreed to move back in with my mom and fiance so the baby will have 24/7 supervision when feeding. My mom said that she would keep me posted on everything and I will let y'all know more when I find out more.

 

That's good news. Maybe she will learn from your mom & her friends and will become a better mom. At least it sounds like the baby will be looked after!

 

I'm glad some support is being brought in; that poor baby! Hopefully this will get resolved. But if it's an ongoing issue I would definitely call the authorities. I interned at DSS in my county and it's not like they would go in and snatch the baby away; they would investigate and do everything they could to support the mom in learning how to take good care of the baby.

 

Thank God. I cried thinking of this poor baby last night. I'm glad her family is helping that child out. Keep us posted!

 

I'm so glad she has some help but please, please, please don't hesitate to call the authorities if you are worried for the babies well being!! It's so sad.

 

I completely agree. My sister in law is a social worker. There is a hotline you can call into, and remain completely anonymous. I have made reports on former neighbors, for letting their 2 year old run around outside in an apartment complex by himself every single day.

 

That is good news! I hope it works out.