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?

was told. I should learn to spell properly.

If she was a bit older (over one perhaps) I'd be less worried about a salty meal as a one off.

I am sure she would be fine but, it'd bother me at this age. She can't ask for a drink if she's more thirsty than usual.

I would be tempted to send her with a jar of food so it looks less as though you are rejecting MIL's food in favour of your own and simply sending babyfood for her along with whatever bottles and things she needs for the night.

Not everyone is salt sensitive so she might not have high blood pressure. High salt consumption causes high blood pressure in some people so if you have high blood pressure they will tell you to cut down on salt just in case you are sensitive.

I think the jars of baby food might be the way to go as looks like you are trying to save your MIL some work rather than commenting on her cooking.

relax.

I wouldn't worry at all.

I just asked on an other thread, what's the problem with salt anyway?

Obviously too much isn't good, but what is this fear of a bit of salt based on? (disclaimer, my babies grew in a country where salt is not (yet?) considered a bad thing, in moderation, so I never gave mine salt-free stuff)

Oh, the other seasonings! ginmakesitallok, you have got it right there! My MIL uses a seasoning which is about 60% salt (Vegeta), and has taken to apologising that she "hasn't salted it at all" or "just a little bit", when she has used Vegeta AND the aforementioned "little bit" of salt . I did have to laugh to myself a little bit when DS would not eat things she had over-salted. However, I only laughed to myself, though, as she was quite, genuinely upset, loves him, and really didn't realise that she was actually salting. Bless her, she is trying to change, and now actually comments on how salty other people's cooking is. In a way, I am pleased (NOT smug) that we and DS have kind of brought about a helpful change in her diet.

Sorry, OP, the point of that story is that (as NatashaBee mentions) your DD may dislike a strongly salted meal, which could allow you to bring it up with your MIL, who, after all, will want to make things her darling gc will eat and love...

There's salt in meat and cheese anyway. Does your DD eat these?

at the amount of salt your MIL gets through! Her own health will suffer!
I have had to tell my MIL not to put salt on the ds's food and I know she ignores me when I'm not there to supervise which is one of the reasons why she only babysits when I have no-one else to do it!

Deffo send your own food with the baby but my MIL in that case would tell me afterwords that "he wasn't keen on it" and would give the child chocolate biscuits.

She raised your oh I sure he's fine no salt related issues please she has a lot more mothering experience than you a little trust gose a long way count your self lucky my mil has nothing to do with my kids

Wow, I was only gone an hour or so.
DD is mainly vegetarian at the moment. She's had a very small amount of shepherds pie and chicken, but she's only been on solids for 3 weeks or so.

I have spoken to her about her salt intake so many times, but as I mentioned she works in a medical centre and has her blood pressure checked. Apparently its absolutely fine and she seems as fit as a fiddle at 63.

I'm unsure how she manages to go through that quantity, but if for example she is cooking veg or pasta she salts the pan, then adds salt during cooking, then pours more over it at the table.

She does smoke, albeit only silk cut, but I have no idea how she can taste anything but the salt. It goes on everything, even a cheese sandwich!

Maybe the poster asking if she has a slug problem is onto something! :)

And Maypole, I do, really do, consider myself lucky to have her, and I know she adores her gd. I certainly wouldn't stop her seeing her, I just think its an excessive amount of salt to be ingesting on a regular basis.

Making the food yourself won't stop your MIL adding some if she's heating it up, tastes it and thinks its bland. I think you will just have to say it to her - no adding salt, in whatever nice but firm way you think best.

One night won't hurt. She might even refuse to eat if she didn't like it.

Your MIL alone gets through this amount of salt in a week? Are you sure? She must heap it on by the tablespoonful! We're a family of three adults, and that would last us about three months!

I don't salt meals when they're cooked (goes back to when I was bringing up my own children), but we all like a sprinkle on chips, etc, and there's always a salt cellar on the table. I'm only a little younger than your MIL, and Mums even then knew that it wasn't acceptable to salt children's meals.

Incidentally, I don't permit my own grandchildren to have salt with their meals, and I reckon your little 7 month old will just turn her nose up at anything that's over-salted anyway.

Henrietta, I have no idea how she goes through that much, but I know she does because I usually take her shopping every week. I kid you not. Another poster asked if she has a slug problem, which I suppose could be true, but she's never mentioned it when I nag her about her salt intake.

pre-pack her food if you must and tell MIL that HV's/DR recommend no salt what so ever before 2 years old

Send jars.

I have always home cooked their food where I can, but sometimes jars are great for certain times and this one of them!

And push the HV/GP angle. The idea that you are not being PFB (you are not btw) but that she might make her GD ill will make all the difference I think.

Surely she would just add salt to the food you sent along?

I would be PISSED OFF if someone added salt to my 7mo baby's food.