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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To have kept quiet?

45 replies

prettymess · 07/09/2013 23:31

DH and I went to the pub last night. A mum we know was there with her baby girl. A friend had the girl on her lap and dipped baby's dummy in beer and then back into the baby's mouth, several times. Mum saw this and didn't seem to think anything of it. I wanted to say so much, but instead I just sat in shock. Should I have said something?

OP posts:
WorraLiberty · 07/09/2013 23:32

Not unless you wanted to be told to wind your neck in, no.

You did say it was someone else's baby and not yours, didn't you?

Original poster
prettymess · 07/09/2013 23:33

Not our baby, no.

OP posts:
Writerwannabe83 · 07/09/2013 23:35

I wonder what their reasoning behind it was?

WorraLiberty · 07/09/2013 23:36

Well there's your answer

You can't go around telling people off for what they do with their own babies unless they're putting their lives in danger...and even then you're best to call the Police or SS.

But giving your opinions/judgements willy nilly is likely to result in a nasty comeback.

happycrimblechuckie · 07/09/2013 23:37

Can't really see the problem with dipping a baby's dummy in beer, they love it. My MIL used to put whiskey on my daughters dummy, mind you that was 20 years ago, but you really should calm down, a: it is not your baby and b: who really cares about a dip of beer on a dummy?

LaurieFairyCake · 07/09/2013 23:38

Just what do you think a few dribbles of beer will do? Confused

Sure it's not ideal but that's on the lesser end of shit parenting IMO.

I spent my babyhood with my dummy touched in whiskey - drink very little now, no after effects.

Original poster
prettymess · 07/09/2013 23:39

Yes, that's what I thought. That's reassuring to hear, thanks.

Baby was very tired, so maybe they thought it would make her nod off?

OP posts:
MrsTerryPratchett · 07/09/2013 23:40

They used to rub brandy on their gums for teething. A dip of beer is nothing compared to that I would have judged too.

namechangesforthehardstuff · 07/09/2013 23:42

I've always wondered how people could possibly justify giving tiny babies alcohol. And here it is in glorious technicolour. Thanks Mumsnet have a Biscuit

Original poster
prettymess · 07/09/2013 23:44

Okay, phew. DH and I both said afterwards how common it was when we were kids, but I guess it was a shock to see it now.

OP posts:
spicegirl13 · 07/09/2013 23:45

YANBU. There's no need for a baby to have beer. It's 2013, we all know that alcohol is not suitable for babies. I would have been Shock too

Ham69 · 07/09/2013 23:45

I was bloody fuming when my fil dipped his dirty finger in his pint of beer and smeered it around my 2 week old DS's lips declaring, "I'm having a beer with my grandson". Bloody fuming.
I would have been annoyed if I'd witnessed that too, but would definitely have kept quiet. I didn't, however, keep quiet when it was MY baby.

LaurieFairyCake · 07/09/2013 23:45

It's not 'justifiable'

But it's been happening for hundreds of years and if you're going to get twisted kecks there are better outlets Hmm

ZingWantsCake · 07/09/2013 23:48

in Hungary they used to cook/boil poppy seeds (source of opium) in milk then eithet dip some bread in it and give it to baby or just give the milk to help them calm down or fall asleep.

I have been often tempted to do it.Grin

I wouldn't have given beer to a small baby, but not my baby, not my problem.

namechangesforthehardstuff · 07/09/2013 23:50

oh gosh if it's been happening like, forever then it must be OK innit? Don'tmind me - I'm just fussy, I won't let DD have drink or drugs.

ZingWantsCake · 07/09/2013 23:50

also I hate it when DH wants to make younger ones to have a lick of wine or beer.
I tell him to not do it.

I would not tell a stranger though

LaurieFairyCake · 07/09/2013 23:51

I wouldn't let mine either

That's not the point

The point is not to interfere in others fairly harmless but not perfect parenting

namechangesforthehardstuff · 07/09/2013 23:52

Ha ha x post w Zing.

namechangesforthehardstuff · 07/09/2013 23:53

Don't think it's harmless. Fairly sure it's fucking stupid.

CharityFunDay · 07/09/2013 23:54

YANBU for keeping quiet. Harmless, and none of your business.

Original poster
prettymess · 07/09/2013 23:55

LaurieFairyCake, that's exactly what I needed to hear. I'm sure there are plenty of things people have wanted to comment on with my non-perfect parenting and I think I'm glad they kept quiet.

OP posts:
LaurieFairyCake · 07/09/2013 23:55

No, that's just your opinion

A few dribbles of beer will have a negligible effect, both short and long term

But why let facts get in the way of your pitchfork waving frothy righteousness Wink

Enjoy!

BlingBang · 07/09/2013 23:57

Wouldn't say anything but aree you all saying you wouldn't be raising your eyebrows and judging (even just a little)? Mn is funny.

namechangesforthehardstuff · 07/09/2013 23:57

Seriously? A baby's dummy in alcohol and Mumsnet thinks that's OK. Nah, don't believe it, I'm sure the backlash'll start in a sec.

namechangesforthehardstuff · 07/09/2013 23:59

Not sure where you got the pitchfork from?

Maybe you're pissed...