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?

I would let him play with them. It's not like he's unsupervised with a heavy glass jar. You're playing with him.

One of my earliest memories is of me lying on my front in my pram ( a giant Silver Cross thing) playing with an empty glass jar. I've no idea why I remember that at all.

I think what the OP is suggesting is fine, she's not leaving a child to play with glass unsupervised. I'd suggest bits of glitter, buttons, sequins, tiny plastic animals, bits of fabric and scrunched up foil as things to put in the water. Adding food colouring would make it even nicer.

Gosh I was really trying to resist opening this thread as I thought this has to be a joke. I see what you mean OP but no I wouldn't do it. Just use plastic and your mum is right. What if one was to kicked across the floor by mistake and broken? Do you really need that clean up on your hands and shards of glass you can't even see? Your idea is lovely, but you're bonkers to use glass jars.

No you aren't being silly op. Have a look at Eleanor goldshmied. You might like her heuristic play ideas.

I bought plastic Voss bottles just for this reason and made floaty glittery gorgeous things for her to shake/hold. They're really good, some baby oil, or glycerin, glitter and food colouring and she's well happy.

Google them, they're quite beautiful for plastic bottles, er hang on...

www.waitrose.com/shop/DisplayProductFlyout?productId=413709&source=sho_&utm_source=google%2Bshopping&utm_medium=organic%2Bgs&utm_campaign=google%2Bshopping&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIkPHR6ISP1gIV4bztCh34ZQwEEAQYASABEgI1nvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds&dclid=CKjbj-qEj9YCFcbGUQodpcYLdg

very montissori

You just have to be cautious. You also have to trust.
Once upon a time, the world wasn't plastic... and we're still here.

I think it's great... the sound of ice in water, the movement of the water in the jar. It's a great idea. Keep an eye on your little one. That's all you need to do. I don't have to tell you that though.

There will be a stage where you won't be able to do this because they throw things. But at 5 months, you're fine.

Bonne Maman jars are excellent, by the way. Good and sturdy.

they're quite beautiful for plastic bottles

Thanks for that link if only so I could have an sobering lesson in how the other half live - people pay that much for water!?

I'll go rooting through the recycling bins next time I'm in a posh neighborhood maybe

blimey - its absolutely fine! far too many people wrap their kids in cotton wool

I think for a lot of people it's like letting a baby play with an unloaded gun. Technically safe but the emotional reaction is too strong. You would get a similar reaction.

How many people let their babies touch windows, play with their phones, without fretting about the risk of the glass spontaneously shattering?

Babied drink from glass bottles so i don't see why a glass jar is any different.
Your mother sounds mental

Eleventy
I havent seen a glass baby bottle for many a year!

www.superdrug.com/NUK/Nuk-First-Choice-Glass-Bottle-240ml-With-Latex-Teat/p/551016?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIyrTy-YmT1gIVy7vtCh1QTwbdEAQYASABEgL4NfD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds&dclid=CMKJ0YiKk9YCFUPIUQodYcYFNw

Here you go willow. I've seen them in boots/supermarkets etc. I assure you they aren't done archaic product not seen for years!

I used glass bottles as did many mothers for centuries. I have yet to hear of a serious accident

The risk on this particular occasion is fairly low, but that risk will change quite quickly and potentially suddenly. When baby can get a similar benefit from substituting a glass jar for a plastic bottle which may be around the house anyway, it's not worth the potential for additional risk from the glass jar.

WHATS UP CUCKBOYS. I give this thread a decent to light 4/10. Glass is bad for the enviroment. Did you love it did you jate it what would you rate it

I think Anthony's been on the class A's tonight

At 5 Months DD1 could pick up a beaker and drink from it (At 15 Months she’s nowhere near walking so please don’t take this as me thinking I’m superior) so I wouldn’t.
I made sensory bottles for DD3 using sequins, feathers and things in water and put them in old plastic water bottles. Much safer and cheaper

YWNBU

Bloody hell, honestly, you’d think you’d given him a stick of dynamite and a lit match to play with 🤣

Tell your Mum you’ve got a catalogue & you’ve circled the toys you think he would like & she can feel free to buy some of those if she thinks your improvised toys are such a problem.

Or just tell her to give over. It wasn’t half a dozen champagne flutes whilst you shagged the neighbour.