to not want my MIL to cook DD's food when she stays there overnight?

[BalloonTwister]

My MIL is a lovely woman, and for my birthday next month is having DD overnight so we can go out and celebrate. I appreciate that I am very lucky, and do count myself blessed to have this option.

But here's the rub. DD is in the weaning process, and my MIL loves salt. And I mean LOADS of salt, in everything she cooks. (I often wake up with a raging thirst if we've been there for dinner) DD is so far enjoying the whole food experience, and pretty much eats what we eat, (within reason of course). MIL has already commented that the roast I cooked was a bit bland, and when I pointed out that this was so DD sould have some too, her reply was that a bit of salt wouldn't hurt her,It would help to develop her taste buds. (I know, I know)

My other worry is that both DP and SIL are very unadventurous eaters, and DP has suggested that this is because while they were growing up if they "didn't like" something they were allowed to skip straight to dessert.

The picky eating is just an aside really, as I'm fully aware that one night is not going to make a huge difference, but I really am worried about her salt intake. I have a feeling MIL thinks it is a necessary part of a 7mo's diet

What do you think? Am I being precious, or would it be acceptable to send her off with her meals all ready and chilled/frozen?

One day of salt will not harm her. Most of us grew up with high salt as small children. Relax and enjoy your birthday.

I'd say that one salty meal isn't going to kill her - I feel your pain though. If we ever mention to MIL that something (usually soup) is salty she answers "But I don't use salt.." - no MIL you might not use salt but you use a mountain of stock cubes... She just doesn't get that her stock cubes are mostly salt.

Why don't you have the meals chilled, and just explain that you wanted to make baby-sitting as easy as possible for MIL as she is doing you a big favour?

Yabu. It's one overnighter. All will be well. Don't stress it.

Can't you cook something yourself, freeze it if necessary and take it along for her to reheat? I tend to do this for GP visits so you know what they're eating.

Xpost

One night. A free babysitter.

Heads you win, tails I lose.

Don't be so precious, or pay a babysitter, who won't love your daughter nearly as much as her gran does, but will obey your commands.

Always difficult with in-laws,but probably not worth raising unless it was a whole weekend. Yes,enjoy your birthday!

hmm i dunno. if she really uses a LOT of salt then yes, that would worry me a little (and i am generally really laid back about this kind of thing!)
but it would depend on the amount of meals.

if she is there for 2 full days then that's a fair few meals. if it is only going to be a couple of meals i wouldn;t worry that much,

would it be worth saying to your MIL that your GP has said that babies shouoldn't have any salt so please could she make sure she doesn't give any to your daughter? might make her take a bit more notice if you say the doctor has said so!?

At 7mos (fairly early in weaning I guess) then I would say YANBU to send stuff you've made in advance.

It's one day, and seven month olds don't tend to have the memory or cunning to think 'Well Gran let me have pud if I didn't eat the salty stuff, let's see if mum lets me have pud if I don't eat this bland unsalty stuff'.

Relax, ask your MIL not to put salt in the baby's food and enjoy your night.

Good idea Vj. I really don't want to offend her, she's lovely, but I do worry about her health. She emptied the entire salt cellar in two courses last Sunday. Honest to God, an entire salt cellar. I know I'm probably being a bit precious, but how much salt does it take to cause a baby damage? Anyone know?

X post. Thanks ladies. Will try to be more relaxed and concentrate on enjoying the night.

I second what Yesterday said-if you say it's from your GP oor Health Visitor, you're simply passing it on, but if you say it from yourself, she could take offence.

I also think that, if she chooses to ignore you, you can't really do anything about it except not let her look after DD again, which would be a shame.

That's a lot of salt

Is there a possibility that your MIL would just add salt to any meals you sent along? Especially if she thinks it 'develops tastebuds'? It's the kind of thing my MIL would have done.

I agree with ShatnersBasson (mainly because I love that username...)

There was a case of a baby being killed by overdose of salt 6 years ago or so. However the mum fed her baby on mash and gravy made with high salt mix

One night won't hurt, but I'd take a pre made meal if I was you

This makes my mil's salt use look minimal I have had the raging thrust, but ive made up for it by drinking more wine

I agree that a little salt is likely to do them no harm but babies get plenty enough salt in things like bread and cheese. A little more than usual salt as a one off will likely be fine but if she really does put TONS of salt in I would be a bit concerned at so young. Could you just ask her if she would mind salting her own food after serving just while your dd is there? If she dismisses you again I would look elsewhere for a baby sitter.
I remember hearing about this news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/404667.stm. The baby was only 3 months old but it does say further down that an adults average daily salt intake is enough to kill a baby. It sounds like your mils intake is more than average. I just wouldn't risk it.

Yeah - I wouldn't like the salt at that young but if you need her to look after dd then you have to go with the whole thing really.

Oh yes Betty, if it was a normal amount I wouldn't have posted. She lives alone and goes through a big 750g tub each week. It even goes in porridge. I think I'll go with taking her food along, and say the doc/HV has advised no salt. She's a part time receptionist in a medical centre, so she really should know though.

She says that your food is 'bland' when she eats meals at your house? Do you put salt and papper on your dining able so that she can boost her salt intake if that's how she likes her food?

If so, it wouldn't hurt for her to cook without salt at her house but put salt on her plate when the food has been served.

But I do really agree with other posters in that one meal with a bit of salt will not hurt your daughter. If she doesn't like the spoonful offered to her, she will make it clear that she doesn't want it - if she's not used to it.

Am smirking at the idea of a 7 month old skipping straight to pudding one night at gran's and consequently becoming a fussy eater .

Re the salt, I'd save myself a headache and make up a plausible lie: "She's been very constipated these last few days and the doctor said she's probably dehydrated and advised we cut out salt completely for a week." Then in future you can say that it helped enormously and that the doctor says she ought to steer clear of salt as much as possible until she's older and her gut is better developed.

I hate salt and when i go my MIL everything she cooks tastes like it has been bathed in salt water. I do let my children eat there because one day probably isnt worth the arguement but if it was more regular (more than once a week say) I would have to say something. You would not be unreasonable to send over food although i would not critisize her directly just say its to make things easier or something.

One night is not going to hurt her, Jeez. My mum force feeds the kids Haribo's and McDonalds when she has them and thinks I don't know (they tell me). Who cares if it's once or twice a month?

A whole 750g tub of salt in one week?

I use quite a lot of salt myself and couldnt get through that much if I tried.