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Original poster

MIL added sugar to baby’s food

126 replies

sunflowers365 · 27/12/2023 10:34

I’m cross because my MIL added sugar to porridge she made for my daughter (15 months). Makes me fed up as I have been keeping her off sugar all this time. There’s no need for her to add sugar when she enjoys her porridge as it is and obviously sugar is terrible for babies and kids😡.

OP posts:
WhateverMate · 27/12/2023 12:16

Spaghettieis · 27/12/2023 12:08

I read Makes me fed up as it happening multiple times with OP’s feelings being clear

Show quote history

Ahh right, I read it differently.

Still, it looks like this thread will be another 'post and run' to add to all the other Mumsnet post and runners this week.

So we may never find out.

LivingDeadGirlUK · 27/12/2023 12:18

Maybe she just did it out of habit but I do empathise as my own mum is obsessed with pushing as much sugar into the kids as possible, can't even give them fresh fruit without shoving sugar on it.

MolkosTeenageAngst · 27/12/2023 12:21

I can understand why you are avoiding sugar and don’t think that’s a bad thing, but a bit of sugar as a one off really isn’t a big deal. Just ask MIL not to add it again! Food guidelines have changed a lot from when she would have had her kids, unless there is a massive backstory I doubt she meant any harm and it sounds like she was dealing with giving baby breakfast and therefore giving you a break which you should be grateful for! In the grand scheme of things this really is a non issue!

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Alalalalalongalalalalalonglonglilong · 27/12/2023 12:22

It's fair enough to be irritated by this but I'm guessing this is a 1st baby so you and MIL are just at the start of this relationship. The reason I think this is its an age old cliché, grandmothers will sneak treats to their grandkids and annoy the parents who always have to play the bad guy. I've heard this multiple times, especially from mums who had strict parents themselves and were rarely allowed treats and now the same people are doing the exact opposite.

In the overall scheme of things it doesn't matter at all.

NoraLuka · 27/12/2023 12:26

Just ask her not to next time.

I think there’s something to be said for everything in moderation - a bit of sugar won’t do any harm and it’s better to see it as part of a normal diet than to never have it and go crazy when they finally do get access to it.

(team sugar/honey/golden syrup in porridge, cereal and yoghurt here!)

Nicesalad · 27/12/2023 12:27

Putting a spoonful of sugar on porridge is a perfectly normal thing to do. To a lot of people it's a bit like putting butter on toast.

Had you asked her not to?

SmileyClare · 27/12/2023 12:27

WhateverMate · 27/12/2023 12:16

Ahh right, I read it differently.

Still, it looks like this thread will be another 'post and run' to add to all the other Mumsnet post and runners this week.

So we may never find out.

Show quote history

Yeah always makes me a bit sceptical about the “furious with mil” threads!

Id be interested to know how you found out about the sugar- did you see her chuck a bit in the bowl or did you taste it yourself and think it tasted a bit nicer than usual ? 😂

MerryChristmasToYou · 27/12/2023 12:27

@Alalalalalongalalalalalonglonglilong , it does matter. I'm a vegetarian and my sugar-shovelling mother is a feeder, I did not want her dishing out chunks of meat to my DC.

MerryChristmasToYou · 27/12/2023 12:28

@SmileyClare , sugar in porridge is not right.

MRSMTO · 27/12/2023 12:32

I really wish the BBC 24 hour service would concentrate s'more on horrific stories like yours instead of things like the ongoing crisis in the Middle East.

Breaking News - Grandma treats kid to a bit of sugar at Christmas-time'.

I'm just getting ready for OP returning to make some bullshit back story up about MIL always 'overstepping boundaries' just to fit her narrative!

DappledThings · 27/12/2023 12:33

It's sugar not crack. It was a one-off. She was trying to do something nice.

Chill.

BrimfulOfMash · 27/12/2023 12:37

OP, I agree toddlers do not need sugar added to porridge and it could encourage her to reject plain porridge.

Not good for her to have done this if she knows it is not your way.

Kwasi · 27/12/2023 12:41

To many people, the normal way to have porridge is with sugar or jam. If you'd explicitly told her not to add sugar, I would tell you YANBU, but if you didn't, you probably just can't stand your MIL and want to bitch about her.

I totally get it; I hate my MIL too and get annoyed when she does anything, including breath.

Needhelpsupport · 27/12/2023 12:43

I have always added a small amount of sugar to granddaughter porridge, never crossed my mind not too!She is'4 now , and dentist very impressed with her beautiful teeth .
She is vegetarian and I am very vigilant about that .

SmileyClare · 27/12/2023 12:46

Kwasi · 27/12/2023 12:41

To many people, the normal way to have porridge is with sugar or jam. If you'd explicitly told her not to add sugar, I would tell you YANBU, but if you didn't, you probably just can't stand your MIL and want to bitch about her.

I totally get it; I hate my MIL too and get annoyed when she does anything, including breath.

I’d admire your honesty 🤣

Topseyt123 · 27/12/2023 12:53

I like to mix honey into my porridge. 😃

If it's a one-off then it's surely not an issue.

Differentstarts · 27/12/2023 12:54

It was really nice of your mil to make and feed your baby breakfast and give you some time to get yourself ready for the day I hope you thanked her.

Ifulikepinacoladas · 27/12/2023 12:58

I know it's not the same, but my MIL used to let my DC put sugar on Frosties when they stayed at hers 😂It was very rarely so I never commented.
We are NC now but not because of the sugar 😂

KnittedCardi · 27/12/2023 12:58

Honestly, who on earth eats plain porridge. It's revolting. Misses the pint entirely 😂

Flossflower · 27/12/2023 13:09

I can understand why you are cross. Next time the baby has porridge they will want to have sugar in it. You need to tell your MIL sugar is not allowed. All these people saying no harm done. We have an obesity crisis!

Raincloudsonasunnyday · 27/12/2023 13:15

Being so uptight about a bit of sugar in one bowl of porridge, is far more damaging all round than the sugar itself.

Relax. Your toddler is not doomed to obesity. You need to educate yourself about nutrition, rather than criticising your MIL.

Mumsfishnets · 27/12/2023 13:15

Get upset about things that matter. Your days of having total control over your child's diet are numbered. You sound like a nightmare, not your mil

Fivepigeons · 27/12/2023 13:20

That would annoy me.
Just try and calmly talk about it to her tho.
I get your concern. If she constantly does that then your child might stop eating plain porridge because they've got used to the taste of the sugar. And obv its bad to be having to add sugar to all of a child that young food to get them to eat it.
It creates a problem for you. But I think try and calmly explain this to her in a non accusatory way.

itsmyp4rty · 27/12/2023 13:22

The problem for me is that if your dd gets used to 'nice' sugary porridge she might start refusing to eat it without. That is what would annoy me so I think YANBU.

Blogswife · 27/12/2023 13:25

Shock horror . Did you call an ambulance or take DC to A&E yourself ?!

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