Parenting Forums

Posted: 02 August 2008 at 9:58am | IP Logged

Hey All,

I had dinner with a group of my friends on Thursday and I have to admit I was shocked at what one of my friends was feeding her 7mth old My Millie (now 5mths) is doing brilliantly with her weaning. We're still on the first stage babyfood, but she's having an eight fl oz bottle on a morning, food (baby food/baby cereal/mushed banana/mushed veggies etc)and a 5-6 fl oz bottle for lunch and dinner, and then another 8 fl oz bottle before bed. Anyhow, while we were at dinner I have admit I was shocked at what Jane was giving Joe. Firstly she gave him a huge solid lump of garlic bread, then she gave him an ordinary kids yoghurt (not a baby yoghurt- a proper cows milk yoghurt) Next she gave him some of her chocolate cake, but she didn't mush it up at all, she just spooned a big lump into his mouth like she'd have eaten it herself. Finally she gave him crisps! Admitedly I'm not talking Walkers crisps, but she gave him some cheap Sponge Bob corn snack thing (like Monster Munch) and again she just shoved one is his mouth whole. Now please tell me if you think I'm being over dramatic, but is he not a bit young to be eating proper solid food and also stuff containing cows milk and salty stuff like crisps? Not only would I have thought it's not good for him, but surely he cold choke? I didn't let Jess have stuff like crisps until she was 2-3 years old, and even then she had them very rarely. I've no intention of letting Millie eat stuff like that until she's much older either.

Jane was also saying he will only take one 6 fl oz bottle a day at breakfast now too. I thought they still needed some nutrition from baby milk up until they were a year old? When I asked her what he eats instead, she said stuff like baked beans and scrambled egg and cheese omlettes. She says she just gives him whatever she's got handy. She says he's stopped sleeping through since she weaned him, and I'm wondering if that's do with the sorts of stuff she's feeding him too. Maybe it's just me that's over cautious when it comes to feeding Millie, but the way she's feeding him is completely alien to me

What's everyone elses opinions on feeding babies this sort of stuff? Am I being over idealistic sticking to the basic safe and healthy stuff for Millie, or does anyone else think feeding a baby that age stuff like crisps is odd?

Posted: 02 August 2008 at 12:47pm | IP Logged

Hi hun

I don't think you are if i was there i'd be shocked too.... i know it depends on how you child is and my eldest was eating lumps by 10mths but my youngest who's a fusy eater only started eating lumps at 18mths.

I also think it's to do with how the parent is.... what they where used to etc. I do think there are so many do's and don'ts not just in pregnancy but afterwards that make it so unclear and confusing now that she might just be doing what she thinks is best.

I'd personnally have asked how do you have the courage to feed her lumps i'd be worried about chocking etc.... i would have loved to hear her answer...just because i'm nosy! lol

Posted: 02 August 2008 at 1:27pm | IP Logged

Maybe I'm just a wimp with Millie lol. I did actually 'casually' ask her how come she didn't worry about him choking (right as he was sucking big lumps off a piece of garlic bagette!) and she shrugged her shoulders and said "It'll keep him quiet while we eat". I was even more then lol. She's a good friend, so I did my utmost to hide my shock and act normal, but I have to admit everytime Joe coughed when he was eating I was nearly diving off my seat to check he was OK I'm actually wondering if it was to do with how she was brought up. A few of our group (we're all old school friends) have kids, and we've all up to now had similar parenting ideas, however Jane's Mum and Dad are a lot older than ours (my Mum and Dad are now in their fifties, where as hers are in their seventies) so it crossed my mind that maybe she's been chatting to her Mum (as a lot of us do) and that her Mum is recommending she does things the 'old school' way. I'm generally pretty open minded with regard to parenting, but I have to admit what I saw on Thursday did make me uncomfortable purely out of concern that Joe might end up in trouble (choking, reaction to cows milk or too much salt etc etc) I know I've got to mind my own business, but we can't help but have opinions can we?

Posted: 02 August 2008 at 8:02pm | IP Logged

Nobody knows a child better than the parents, so if she was fine with it and the baby was happy then so be it. 

Both of my two had lumpy food by 7 months Harrison who was weaned early was eating lumps at about 6 months.  They had whatever we were having.  I'd also give them bits off our plate and ordinary yogurts.  They are not unhealthy nor did they at ever at any point choke.  I'm certain if your friend didn't think her lo could eat something she wouldn't give it him.  Or if he wouldn't manage and he'd choke she may not be likely to do it again. 

Everyone is different.  My sister didn't wean her lo until the recommended 6 months shes now 12months and only and i mean literally only just beginning to eat barely lumpy food, she wont even entertain finger food...

Posted: 02 August 2008 at 11:25pm | IP Logged

Billy was completely off baby food by 7/8 months, from then he's always eaten the same as my other kids.  He was very capable of eating normal food just chopped up the same size as my 3yr old by then.  He's been on a good diet and on cows milk since he was 9 months old.  He's perfectly healthy, his weight/height etc are all spot on.

I think every child is different and you'll know youself when they're ready to move to the next stage. 

Posted: 03 August 2008 at 10:41am | IP Logged

mm my lotte was weaned at 12 weeks because she was hungery babe so im pretty sure she was having toast and bread sticks(finger foods) by then but must admit she does seem to be giving alot of crap to eat.