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?

Aubergine - I did point out in my original post that one night wasn't going to make her a fussy eater, but I do like the constipated idea...she had a few problems with that a couple of months ago so it wouldn't sound odd. Thank you. :)

Yep, a whole one Amber.

I dont know how that would even be palatable.

Are you sure she doesnt have a serious problem with slugs?!

From what I've read, the 'salt poisoning' cases are extremely rare. In the famous case with the adopted kid - remember that one? The parents were convicted and spent 18 months in jail before the conviction was quashed, it turned out to be that the child had a condition which meant he couldn't process salt. And with the 3 month old, that baby was being weaned far too early anyway but it was a bit of a freak occurence - not likely to happen over the space of a one-night baby sit unless there was something really wrong with the child.

A whole salt cellar though! Crikey. Does she smoke? I only ask because my DMil can't taste anything after years of smoking and adds loads of salt as otherwise everything tastes bland to her...

Maybe she goes fishing for razorfish a lot.

I bet you're mum doesn't have to do much forcing Proudnscary .

I assume your kids are older though if they are reporting back. You do have to be careful with babies. The parents in the link were feeding the baby adult cereals and food with gravy but I would imagine a pan of food with a whole cellar of salt would be even worse. It does depend how many meals the baby is having there though. If it's just tea and breakfast it will likely be ok. Maybe tell mil that your dd likes a little honey in her porridge - she surely won't salt it then.
As an aside I don't know how you can eat there yourself op the food must taste disgusting!

She's going to have to eat there at some point... I guess you could get away with sending food now as she is just weaning, but you're going to have to relent at some point or tell your MIL you don't like her food.

I have to say, I wouldn't do a whole roast dinner without seasoning just so baby can have some. I'd get a little pot separate for potatoes and vegetables and take meat without the outer seasoned bit, and make up a touch of baby gravy. I couldn't sacrifice good food for weaning, lol.

Oh yes, and I do recall from Nina and the Neurons that old people have less taste buds, therefore eat stronger flavours (ie more salted) but one tub a week is scary, have you ever had words about that? Can't be doing their health any good at all.

Good point. Her blood pressure is likely to be through the roof.

I would inform her that salt is NOT to be given to children that young, or better still get DH to do it, and tell her not to give it. Give her a leaflet/web link if it helps.

On the one hand it's just one day so will unlikely do any harm, but on the other hand if you start out letting her give your DD salt that could cause problems in the future if for eg she starts looking after your DD on a regular basis. So start how you mean to go on.

It is the actual official health advice you are trying to follow here, not some random idea you've come up with so she should respect that and adhere to it.

Yes, slugs and snails! That's where I use salt if I'm not baking cakes or vegetables or casseroles. Or perhaps on ice outside in the winter?

I spot a slug (well lots) in the garden, rush in to fetch the salt and draw a circle round each one so that it can't escape. Birds will come to eat them then. And please don't go down the Awww-that's-cruel route. What about my garden?

Just tell that you will give her food for the baby as hers is too salty for her, said in a nice way she shouldnt take offence

Have a look here here

By the way, salt on porridge is the best way

At least it's not my MiL who would put soda into her vegetable water to keep their colour. Her cabbage was so bright green, we needed sunglasses.

If it really bothers you provide posh prepared baby food (I.e. jars, or some of those ella's kitchen things or similar). Provide some matching treats for your DMIL (nice chocs or whatever). At least some of them'd be used - and it's not as confrontational as providing your own home cooked food.

If it was me, I would send all her food with her. And if I didn't trust MIL to give it to her, I would rather not go out.

www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/237480.php

Have a read of the above research published today and relax OP.....All research on diet should be taken with a pinch of salt . I say that as someone who spent many years working with epidemiologists involved in dietary research.

Your little one will not be endangered by one salty meal and us oldies who may have been brought up on too much salt according to whatever research happens to be flavour (excuse pun) of the month are staggering along pretty well if you look at the increasing longevity statistics. I would be far more concerned about the fact that today's children are likely to be the first not to outlive their parents if they carry on eating so much fat and spending too much time sitting in front of computers instead of playing games and sports.

Hmm I'm quite casual about most things, but I would be a bit worried about that much salt for such a little baby.

However, I think you're probably best off not making a big deal of it and just turning up with your dd's meals and saying 'Oh, here, brought these, by the way, as I didn't want you to have to faff about with food for dd. It's all ready to go, just warm it up a bit. She usually eats at about x time'' Or whatever.

I doubt it would do your DD any harm, but if she's only 7 months you've got a perfect excuse to send a couple of home made meals round on the pretext that you don't want to put MIL to the bother of having to purée when she's already doing you a favour by having LO overnight.

Had to laugh at the poster with the "raging thrust"

Your MIL's BP must be very high, please think of talking to her about her salt intake, that sounds dangerous!

I'd just tell her that under 1s shouldn't have any added salt as it puts undue stress on their kidneys. She'll probably just add salt to any food you send if you don't give an explanation! But as said, one meal won't kill her - in any case a 7 month old probably isn't eating that much yet anyway.

blimey, 750g of salt a week? Does she live with anyone else? If she consumes that much salt a week she must have blood pressure off the charts!

To be honest at 7 months i would send the food you want her to eat in case she offers her something new and she has an upset tummy. It wouldnt be the salt that bothers me for one night it would be that i want to know what she eats while being weaned.

AFAIK and according to my old HV, a child under 2yrs old shouldn't be given salt AT ALL (this could be old stuff as my DC are 5 and6yrs old now, but I've stuck to that advice). I weas told that a child:

• under 24m shouldn't have salt at all
• between 2yrs and 6yrs old can have 1/4tsp per day
• between 6yrs and 10yrs should only have around 1/2tsp per day
• between 10yrs and 15yrs should only have about 3/4tsp a day
• and from 15yrs upwards about 1tsp a day.

1tsp is the maximum amount recommended for adults. This equals around 6g.

This info has done me proud as my dad loves his salt, but he is very good WRT not allowing the kids salt and tells my mum off for using too much at times.

HTH

the amount of food a 7month eats compared to milk is small- so any salt she gets in her food will be small and very diluted with milk- wouldn't worry too much for just one day.