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AIBU?

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Original poster

Feeling intense mum guilt due to baby/toddler pouches

112 replies

Hellosaidfred · 28/04/2025 19:40

Obviously I’m not deluded enough to think that pouches compete against actual fruit / veg. But as a mum of a toddler who is extremely picky I’ve found these pouches a life savour for us as I assumed they’d be somewhat healthy.

My child will not touch veg so I always hoped that blending it in smoothies or giving him a few of the Ella’s kitchen or little Freddie’s fruit and veg purée blends during the week as a snack would count as something - but now I’m seeing articles about how bad they are and many comments about how bad these parents are for offering them to their children - I am starting to have mum guilt.

He eats plenty of actual fruit luckily if we slice into porridge or yogurt.

Not really sure what my aibu is, just wondering if there’s any mums out there that used these pouches and feel the same way

OP posts:
Surroundedbyfools · 28/04/2025 19:55

Hellosaidfred · 28/04/2025 19:51

Yes, I used to think my child had afrid as he was the same since we started weaning at 6 months. He also hated milk and had a breast and bottle aversion. I see so many people say just stick it in front of them and if they’ll hungry they will eat. But he won’t

Show quote history

My 3 year old is like this. He refused to move onto cows milk so I bought toddler formula for over a year (I’m sure that’ll be the next thing ppl are lecturing mums about) for about a year he would only eat bread and butter/toast, fruit and yogurt, I’ve had all sorts of stupid advice like starve him then he will eat, just force him. Hide things in food etc. ppl r thoughtless, he’s 3 now and since he started nursery he’s very slowly becoming more open to trying things. Not a lot of things but better than none. It’s so tough and I feel judged when people are like I wouldn’t let him be so fussy etc.

Hoplolly · 28/04/2025 19:53

Don't overthink it. Plenty of people have used these to no ill effects. Sure, fresh would be better but meh, I couldn't and wouldn't lose sleep over it. I was just happy they ate at all.

Kattuccino · 28/04/2025 19:52

There was a whole thing on the BBC website about the iron content of pouches. I mainly made my own purees (I was a SAHM so had time) - I imagine if they had been sent away for nutritional analysis, then they might not have had that much iron in them either!

Please don't feel guilty.

AnotherNC22 · 28/04/2025 19:52

I made everything from scratch with DD1 and absolutely hated the whole weaning process. I stressed myself out so much. With DD2, I've been much more relaxed and used more pouches and ready meals because she's a dreadful sleeper, I've felt so ill trying to also wrangle a toddler with the sleep deprivation and I just needed to let something slide. I also feel pretty guilty now, but I'm just going to think about it in the context of her whole life, focus on getting lots of fresh veg and homemade meals into her now and try not to feel too bad. In the end, what's done is done.

Original poster
Hellosaidfred · 28/04/2025 19:51

TheGoogleMum · 28/04/2025 19:49

I've sent them as lunch to the childminder. I feel a bit bad but we're all just doing our best. It's better than going hungry!

Yes, I used to think my child had afrid as he was the same since we started weaning at 6 months. He also hated milk and had a breast and bottle aversion. I see so many people say just stick it in front of them and if they’ll hungry they will eat. But he won’t

OP posts:
TheGoogleMum · 28/04/2025 19:49

I've sent them as lunch to the childminder. I feel a bit bad but we're all just doing our best. It's better than going hungry!

Original poster
Hellosaidfred · 28/04/2025 19:48

WickWood · 28/04/2025 19:47

They are fed these things for such a short period of time, they will be absolutely fine. Stick to what works imo.

Thank you, in my head getting some veg into him was better than him not eating any. But now I’m worried !

OP posts:
Original poster
Hellosaidfred · 28/04/2025 19:48

Surroundedbyfools · 28/04/2025 19:46

Don’t feel guilty !!!!! Ur doing ur best and right now the internet is full of mums giving it oh I would never use pouches etc. I used them with both of mine along with other foods. One is a brilliant eater and one is a fussy eater now ! I don’t care. They are both well, fed, healthy and happy. There’s children literally starving to death in this world

Thank you, there’s been lots in the news about them today and I’ve been feeling so much guilt

OP posts:
StrictlyAFemaleFemale · 28/04/2025 19:47

I made purees for my DC because those pouches came in just afterwards. So the result is the same, but I was more tired and overwhelmed. There's no medals for doing things a certain way so for the love of god and feminism just do whatever the fuck makes your life just a little bit easier.

WickWood · 28/04/2025 19:47

They are fed these things for such a short period of time, they will be absolutely fine. Stick to what works imo.

Surroundedbyfools · 28/04/2025 19:46

Don’t feel guilty !!!!! Ur doing ur best and right now the internet is full of mums giving it oh I would never use pouches etc. I used them with both of mine along with other foods. One is a brilliant eater and one is a fussy eater now ! I don’t care. They are both well, fed, healthy and happy. There’s children literally starving to death in this world

Original poster
Hellosaidfred · 28/04/2025 19:42

Hellosaidfred · 28/04/2025 19:40

Obviously I’m not deluded enough to think that pouches compete against actual fruit / veg. But as a mum of a toddler who is extremely picky I’ve found these pouches a life savour for us as I assumed they’d be somewhat healthy.

My child will not touch veg so I always hoped that blending it in smoothies or giving him a few of the Ella’s kitchen or little Freddie’s fruit and veg purée blends during the week as a snack would count as something - but now I’m seeing articles about how bad they are and many comments about how bad these parents are for offering them to their children - I am starting to have mum guilt.

He eats plenty of actual fruit luckily if we slice into porridge or yogurt.

Not really sure what my aibu is, just wondering if there’s any mums out there that used these pouches and feel the same way

I’ve also heard even blending veg takes away nutrients so I was happy that my son would drink spinach or carrot in smoothies, now I just feel like a crap mum!

OP posts: