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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To not give my baby snacks

17 replies

Firsttimemummy33 · 06/10/2013 17:33

Just that really. My 9 month old isn't hungry for his meals if he snacks in between but everyone else I know with babies seems to give them their three meals plus numerous snacks throughout the day. I do give him snacks but not regularly and to schedule . AIBU?

OP posts:
JRmumma · 06/10/2013 17:38

Not at all, he is still at an age where milk is giving him all he needs calorie-wise and eating is more about getting used to eating and different types of food. As long as all of his meals are not pureed that are spoon fed to him, and he is getting the chance to explore different tastes and textures then what you are doing is fine. He may need snacks as he gets a bit older though as food becomes his main energy source, as he wont get enough just from 3 set meals.

noblegiraffe · 06/10/2013 17:46

My 8.5 month old isn't even on three meals a day yet. Some people see weaning as a bit of a challenge to stuff as much food into their baby as possible.
If your baby is learning to eat proper food regularly and enjoying it, you're doing just fine.

Jan49 · 06/10/2013 17:48

I think what you're doing is fine. I don't really understand about people giving babies snacks between meals. I'd never heard of it before mumsnet. My ds (now adult) never had snacks nor needed them, though at 9 months he hadn't got as far as 3 meals a day and was mainly on milk.

maddening · 06/10/2013 17:49

Just go by what he needs - as he gets older and more active he may need snacks but obviously he doesn't at the mo :)

QueenofKelsingra · 06/10/2013 18:01

my twins are 17mths and still don't have snacks. they still have 2 naps so no time for snacks as well as meals! they are also still having milk 3 times a day. If we go out and they miss a nap then they need plenty of snacks but not otherwise.

if he isn't asking for food inbetween meals why would you give him anything?? Confused

poocatcherchampion · 06/10/2013 21:54

We don't do snacks for our 18mo. I don't eat them either. except for cake. but that's for joy.

IWipeArses · 06/10/2013 21:59

As long as he' snot hungry, no.

Norfolknway · 06/10/2013 22:24

YANBU
My DD is 2 and she doesn't have a regular 'snack time'
She's fine with her 3 meals - obviously if she's hungry, she can gave something.

SomethingOnce · 07/10/2013 00:22

DD, 3.5, has never really snacked.

Snacking isn't great for teeth (especially that old favourite raisins), and I see children given snacks to relieve boredom, which seems like a bad habit to instil.

But all children are different and each to their own.

Retroformica · 07/10/2013 04:19

Non of my kids were even remotely interested in eating till 10 months and even then they ate next to nothing for months. I really would ignore friends and follow your instincts.

MrsKoala · 07/10/2013 06:25

I just give ds what he wants. much to everyones horror, he's eaten 4 meals a day since 4mo and has hardly had a bottle since. He's happy, so i just take cues from him. I'm sure he'd let you know if he was hungry, and if he's having milk i'm sure he's getting what he needs.

LittleRobots · 07/10/2013 06:29

At 9 months mine was still mainly on milk. We did blw and offered real food regularly.

Around one we offered food more regularly, mid morning and mid afternoon if not napping. They have such little stomachs, I'd rather she ate little and regularly than got too hungry and over ate.

Snacks were things like some chopped apple or an oat cake and were offered but no worries if refused.

gemdrop84 · 07/10/2013 06:33

Ds is 8 months, I don't feed him snacks but he only eats a few mouthfuls at mealtimes anyway! So few spoonfuls of porridge for breakfast, yogurt and fruit or bread/filling for lunch then meat/veg for tea. He's still drinking 5 bottles of milk a day. Dd at this age was on 3 meals, ate a couple of snacks. She seemed to lose interest in milk once food came along. All babies are different, you just have to do what's right for yours and ignore what everyone else does.

MrsMook · 07/10/2013 06:43

I've never done morning snacks, but DS1 has often had a late afternoon snack. He's very food orientated and has been able to request food for a long time, so has something on request. His allergies severely restricted what snacky foods he could have and he's not a fruit lover so giving him a range of things was a big PITA.

I'm happy for him to eat when he's hungry, but I didn't really want him to snack out of habbit. He packs the food away at meal times, so mainly filled up then. He was BFed on demand until 1 but chose to drop the day feeds.

I'm sure previous generations weren't obsessed woth children needing to graze for energy. Is there a connection with childhood obesity? I found it harder finding nutritious food for snacks than meals.

eatriskier · 07/10/2013 07:58

Dd always had 3 OK sized measles plus snacks, she is very much a little and often person. ds (just turned 1 but has been in this pattern for months) isn't too interested in snacks at all, he has 3 large meals and that does him fine. I'm convinced babies are much the same as adults, some like snacking and others don't. as long as they're gaining weight appropriately it doesnt matter at all

eatriskier · 07/10/2013 07:59

*meals. Dd never had measles!

CreatureRetorts · 07/10/2013 08:42

You've just said you do give him snacks?!

I'm a firm believer in giving young children small portions and snacks little and often - I don't like the idea of making sure they're starving for meals just so they eat loads. It cannot do any good except encourage over eating - I eat more when I'm starving, more than I need!

Anyway at that age, surely there's not enough hours in the day for meals/snacks and milk?!

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