Haribo - how was your little one when you first gave it?

[coffeeforone]

My DS is 21 months, DH just called and asked if it was safe to give him a haribo? He spotted them on the side and is now throwing a mega tantrum cos he’s not allowed one. I hadn’t actually thought until now about if they are safe for a young toddler, I don’t think DS has had anything of the jelly-like texture before. AIBU to give him haribo, are there any guidelines at when jellies don’t become a choking hazard?

My son is three and never had one! (Only had chocolate.)

About a year and a half. He got a small pack for Christmas so I let him try, he was fine. He is 3 now and we used them for toilet training or if he has been extra good he knows there are a rare treat.

Dd1 didn't until she was 5. Her choice as she doesn't like jam or fruit juice or squash so wasn't/isn't into sweet things. Loves chocolate and now sweets like haribo. I am sure dd2 will be tasting them earlier as she is obviously into everything dd1 likes

Ds1: when he went to school
Ds2: when ds1 went to school.

5 - they’re a hard chewy texture and I think a choking risk so I held off as long as possible.

He had plenty of other treat food though!

I'm not sure exactly but probably 2 and a half to 3. Does he have back teeth?

Not helpful because my two (10 and 5) don't eat sweets but I was open to the idea of them trying them from around age 2 when they had their back teeth and were perfectly adept at chewing substantial food rather than easy to eat food.

My DH still occasionally chokes on Haribo because he doesn't chew properly and tries swallowing he may be a manchild of muppet proportions when it comes to sweets

Almost definitely before they turned 1

Very recently, DD is 4. I remember giving DSD a haribo the month before she turned 4. She choked on it and I’ve been soooo wary of giving the to little ones since.

Plus due to them being reasonably sticky, they’re not great for their little teeth, chocolate is better as it melts and didn’t stick to their teeth, specifically the molars.

Thanks for the replies. Yes he does have back teeth.

He doesn’t like chocolate or cake. He does however love any fruit and anything artificially fruity (e.g. fruit shoots). I don’t mind him eating them as the occasional sweet treat, as I’m not too strict about his diet. I am however more worried about the safely/choking aspect which is why I’m hesitant.

Dd is 3 and hasn't had any hard or chewy sweets as I think they are too risky in respect of choking

Mine are 4 and 2.5, both have tried them, neither like them.
Think my youngest was just turned 2 when she managed to get hold of some at a party! She had all her teeth (including second molars) by 18 months so no problems chewing, but she didn’t like them anyway.

Ds is 17 months and had a small bag the other day because his older sister had some..he managed them fine. Think he might have had them before actually.

I would maybe cut them in half/thirds etc. Can't actually remember when my 20 year old first had Haribo as I didn't buy them because I didn't like them!

I've managed to choke on several Haribos (don't even eat them often as I don't like them) and have swallowed several whole by mistake. They are quite tough so I wouldn't give them to a small child myself.

They seem to start getting them in party bags from about 3. My DC didn’t really like them for a long time and I think that’s quite common

4, when they started school.
I would have been happier if it had been later.

1. She gets them as a treat (the tiny little multi pack ones) at the end of the week when she finishes her homework. We don't do a lot of sugar in our house though. She was finding grapes and blueberries in Easter eggs still at 2/3.

DD is 3.5 and has never had them. Chocolate yes, but as I don’t eat sweets there’s no reason she would.
I won’t be giving her any until unavoidable, nasty sugary chokey things.

DD is 2.5 and hasn't had haribo for the same reason (she does, however, recognise them in the supermarket and yell, "SWEETIES" like she gets a packet a day ).

I think perhaps not all haribo are created equal; some are softer than others, e.g. the fried egg one. So I would cut one of those in half maybe, if he's really not distracted with a different treat?

(Now I want haribo, damn you and damn gestational diabetes!!)