To let my baby play with glass jars?

[Goldfishshoals]

My 5 month old is fascinated watching peoples drinks, especially if they have ice/fruit etc floating in them.

So I thought he might find it fun if I half filled a couple of small very sturdy jars with water and various floating/sinking objects to push around and look at on the soft floor of his playmat (while constantly supervised, lids taped down for extra paranoia even though I know he can't open them).

My DM saw and has basically had a go for my dangerous parenting - glass is a terribly bad idea and that the baby might suddenly learn to throw them.

I'm pretty sure I would struggle to break one by throwing, I know I've dropped one from counter height into a tiled floor and it didn't break, and the baby can't really throw at all (he can drop things, but I was only playing down on the floor on a soft mat where they had no where to fall). Plus I was right there helping him roll the jars.

My instinct is to ignore my DM (long history may be clouding my judgement) but the doubt is in my mind. So mumsnet jury, was I unreasonable to let my baby play like this?

Why can't you use a plastic jar?

Yabu because plastic bottles would work just as well and cause much less injury.

Its all well and good saying they wknt break but if they do glass can break into the tiniest shards and cause real issues.

I wouldn't no. Doesn't matter how sturdy you think the jars might be, I still wouldn't give a child that young glass to play with

Get some plastic pots with lids

Just use some empty plastic water bottles instead?

You should listen to your mother.
Of course glass is a bad idea! I am shocked you would think it was a good idea.

Because I didn't have any plastic jars.

🤦🏻‍♀️

Are you serious? Just use bloody plastic. The baby might not be able to throw but he'll be able to chew, pick stuff up, drop things on his head.

Mmmm no bad idea! Buy plastic. Your mum is right,

Just buy a plastic one. Yes Yabu.

These don't leak as long as you get the round ones. Not sure which size is best but they come in a variety of size and brands.

www.waitrose.com/shop/DisplayProductFlyout?productId=322796

I've dropped glasses from a height of six feet and they've somehow survived, and I've knocked them against a counter from a height of six inches and ended up cut in A&E.

Glass is a bit unpredictable!

I'd go buy some plastic jars instead.

I've had glass break with surprisingly little force before.
And when glass breaks, you can end up with tiny shards all over that are difficult to find and clear up. It's daft to risk it when you can buy plastic bottles or jars cheaply and easily.

Glass is breakable but if your child dropped it on their foot could cause them pain.

If I was going to buy something I'd buy an actual baby toy . I was just improvising a temporary baby entertainment from things to hand.

I've dropped glasses etc

I'd never let the baby near a drinking type glass! This was an extra thick sided glass jar.

Sort of like this : i.pinimg.com/236x/07/60/1b/07601b272a9f0aa8038b2dfc497bc3b3--montessori-infant-montessori-room.jpg but mine were better shaped for rolling back and forward on their side.

I never would have done it. Glass could hurt them a lot more than plastic. Just buy plastic jars and let them play with that. Your mum is right

Bad idea. Glass breaks really easily no matter how thick it might be. If baby throws it or hits himself with it he could end up pretty injured.

It was the think glass that somehow surprised and one of my thickest that shattered on the edge of the counter! Sheer dumb luck.

if your child dropped it on their foot

I don't think people are understanding this at all. Baby was on his tummy on a soft mat. Jar with water and floaty bits was on mat being rolled back and forth on mat with assistance. No 'dropping on foot' scenario was even remotely possible.

or hits himself with it he could end up pretty injured.

This. I knocked my head on one of those sort of jars and I'm quite a bit older than 5 months and it hurt like fuck.

I have thick Pyrex type glass dishes. I dropped one out the cupboard all of 3 inches from floor and bits broke off. I thought I had swept it all up but next day I found a tiny sliver that sliced my finger open! Plenty blood everywhere

It's just not worth it. It's not just the breaking, babies dont have much control over their limbs what if he shakes one and hits his face with it?

Get plastic or a proper toy with floaty things in it.

even if you're not worried about him smashing them, they're pretty heavy if he drops one on his leg or bashes himself on the head.
It's easy to make little sensory bottles from plastic drinks bottles and safer.
Also don't ask questions if you just want everyone to agree with you!

I've had jars that look like the ones in that link break before.

They may well break less easily than other sorts of glass, but even so, it's an unnecessary risk to take.

Personally OP, I wouldn't ask here as there are lots of (imo) over protective types. I think it's fine on a soft surface with supervision. You were playing with him for goodness sake. I let my kids play with those glass things which go in vases. They loved the sounds they made in saucepans. None ever broke, but I'm sure people would be: but they're GLASS! And they could SWALLOW them (nope, never put them in their mouths either but were a little older by then like 2. Just do it when your mum's not around, but be aware there are others in this world like her.

Its not the most clever idea OP, as a rule I would say babies and glass aren't a good combination.

Also neither is posting on mumsnet and then arguing with the consensus.