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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To give a pouch of baby food

141 replies

weaningtime · 30/06/2025 09:58

Just that really. Shamelessly need validation. I am absolutely sweltering in this heatwave with a Velcro baby who only wants to contact nap. DD is nearly 8 months and I’ve watched the panorama on shop bought baby food so not fed her any shop bought jars or meal pouches. I try and be conscious with her food, she has a healthy homemade porridge for breakfast every day with nut butters, seeds and fresh fruit and then usually a BLW style tea or a recipe we’ve followed from a baby cookbook. She usually really enjoys her food. We are getting takeaway, so can’t share that. Last night I cooked a vegetable and cheese pasta for her and she had two mouthfuls and wasn’t bothered, probably the heat I’m guessing. I’m putting so much pressure on myself and have run out of ideas for tonight and food shop doesn’t come till tomorrow.

Would it be that bad nutritionally to just buy and give her a pouch tonight? I have seen people compare it to junk food and fast food so feel like I’m not doing good enough and not prioritising her if I default to that. Is it ok or any other food ideas that are very minimal prep?

OP posts:
Antihistamine62 · 30/06/2025 10:12

Give yourself a break and give the baby the odd pouch. The pressure on mums is real. If it makes your day a bit easier I’m all for it x

Energywise · 30/06/2025 10:12

OneGiddyRubyViewer · 30/06/2025 10:00

Ffs….

Sums it up, I really wonder how people cope with actual parenting if they cannot even do this.

BeachPossum · 30/06/2025 10:11

It's fine! They're not poison. Over reliance on them isn't great but the odd one here and there is definitely not an issue and is better than nothing if they're the only thing she'll eat right now.

minnienono · 30/06/2025 10:10

Occasional commercially prepared food is fine. The main issues are that the companies were making nutritional claims and that parents today use baby foods for a far more extended period than in the past (toddler foods and packaged snacks barely existed in the past apart from delicious rusks.).

my top tip is to freeze extra portions of suitable foods for such occasions

LavenderBlue19 · 30/06/2025 10:10

Of course it's fine. Some people were using them every day in the mistaken belief that they were nutritionally complete and even better than real food. Obviously that's not the case. But a pouch now and then when it's convenient is not going to cause any problems.

Step away from social media. It's the algorithm telling you 'everyone' is frenzied about baby food and UPFs at the moment, because you keep clicking on related posts. I literally never see anything about baby food, because I have a six year old and the algorithm knows I'm not interested.

I used Ella's or similar a couple of times a week when my son was about 8-12 months, with some finger food like toast or veg bits. Very handy when you've been out all day and just need something quick before bedtime.

RedNine · 30/06/2025 10:09

weaningtime · 30/06/2025 10:03

Thank you, I think I posted on the wrong place, I’m genuinely just feeling a bit like I’m not doing enough if I do that because of how frenzied everyone is about baby food and UPFs at the moment. I realise this is probably silly and that I’ll look back and think how PFB of me

Show quote history

My finest pfb moment was DH not using the tongs to get the bottle and accoutrements out of the steriliser, can you imagine!

Sympathy, we are all heat addled. A pouch will be fine.

Have a hug.

Whataloadoffuss · 30/06/2025 10:08

I'm guessing this is your first child. Don't make the mistake I made trying to be superMum, it is one day, she'll be absolutely fine!
Honestly, the Annabel Fing Karmel book still makes me shudder!

Edited to say, milk is still a core part of her nutrition at this age. Yes, weaning is important, but she'll be fine for the day op. The fact you're experimenting with different tastes and textures is great.

CommissarySushi · 30/06/2025 10:07

You can give her porridge again for dinner. Or toast with a spread. Or yoghurt, some banana, and peanut butter. It doesn't have to be a cooked meal. She's a baby. She won't mind.

CharlotteFlax · 30/06/2025 10:05

Don't beat yourself up. I do remember how it feels to be under the imagined pressure of being a perfect parent (I'm assuming to your first baby!)

You don't need to look back on this and be embarrassed or laugh at yourself but do recognise that you can give yourself a break and everything will still be ok!

Mulledjuice · 30/06/2025 10:05

weaningtime · 30/06/2025 10:03

Thank you, I think I posted on the wrong place, I’m genuinely just feeling a bit like I’m not doing enough if I do that because of how frenzied everyone is about baby food and UPFs at the moment. I realise this is probably silly and that I’ll look back and think how PFB of me

Show quote history

It's totally natural especially at this age to want everything that goes in their mouth to be optimal.

A pouch once in a while is absolutely fine. It's repeated reliance on pouches/not being aware of their limitations that is the issue.

K0OLA1D · 30/06/2025 10:04

weaningtime · 30/06/2025 10:03

Thank you, I think I posted on the wrong place, I’m genuinely just feeling a bit like I’m not doing enough if I do that because of how frenzied everyone is about baby food and UPFs at the moment. I realise this is probably silly and that I’ll look back and think how PFB of me

Show quote history

Don't worry about it. You see so many things online it does make you question everything. She'll be grand 😊

Original poster
weaningtime · 30/06/2025 10:03

Bubblebubblepoppop · 30/06/2025 10:01

Oh dear lord. Once in a while is fine. Have a day off love.

Thank you, I think I posted on the wrong place, I’m genuinely just feeling a bit like I’m not doing enough if I do that because of how frenzied everyone is about baby food and UPFs at the moment. I realise this is probably silly and that I’ll look back and think how PFB of me

OP posts:
K0OLA1D · 30/06/2025 10:02

I used to feed puree or what we were having with my first at home then Ella's pouches out and about. He's a 6ft 13yo now so I dont think it did him any harm.

DS2 couldn't stand mushy stuff or a spoon, used to make him gag so he mostly had finger foods. But he was partial to the fruit pouches he could suck

Bubblebubblepoppop · 30/06/2025 10:01

Oh dear lord. Once in a while is fine. Have a day off love.

OneGiddyRubyViewer · 30/06/2025 10:00

Ffs….

BoredZelda · 30/06/2025 09:59

No-one died from having a single pouch of food.