Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Flip

1 2

Original poster

to think 3 years olds do not need a bib at mealtimes?

50 replies

CHOCOLATEPEANUT · 13/09/2007 21:37

My dd started nursery at local school last week.

DH picked her uo after lunch today (its a phased introduction, shes full time from next week) and he heard one mum have a go at teacher as her dc had food all over thier uniform.She said she was not having this every day and did they not put bibs on the children? She also said do they have spoons or knives and forks and when teacher said no bibs or spoons the mum stormed off!

DH said she was really off with teacher and he was shocked and I am to think that someone would put a bib on a 3 year old.

OP posts:

pollywollydoodle · 14/09/2007 21:22

dd 3.9 has wipeable tabards on for messy food like stewed blackberries which are a b#gg#r to wash out....but generally doesn't

mummy2aaron · 14/09/2007 22:16

A bib at 3 is not always umusual, what if the child has a disability.

twoisplenty · 14/09/2007 22:21

As a mum with a ds with a disability, who gets in a HUGE mess, he wears my full apron! It nearly touches the floor, so all his clothes stay clean. Well, that's the theory, how he manages to get food under the apron, I have never understood!

hotmama · 14/09/2007 22:22

My dd1 who is nearly 3 usually wears a bib when eating - just in case sauce or yogurt etc goes astray! Which it often does!

I'm on enough of a tight timescale in the morning to think about changing clothes getting covered by weetabix or yogurt - a quick wipe of a washable bib is my option.

twoisplenty · 14/09/2007 22:23

At school (special school) he wears a fully apron with sleeves elasticated at the wrists. and he STILL comes home wearing his dinner. The mind boggles.

But I don't put an apron or bib or anything on his 3yo sister. She's blessed with being careful at the table. But not all 3yo are of course.

mummy2aaron · 14/09/2007 22:26

My ds is a nightmare - age 4 and wipes his hands on his jumper if i don't get him washed as soon as he has finished, he still eats with his hands - glad i saw this i will cover him up in future.

He is autistic btw.

clutteredup · 14/09/2007 22:27

Does anyone use napkins any more? I was told by a frind of my ds (6yo) a couple of years ago that he didn't need a napkin as he was too old. I need a napkin and I'm a little older than that. My DC use napkins which help with some of the mess but I wouldn'texpect a 3 yo to manage without something to wipe hand or face on during a meal......or am i just old fashioned? ................or a messy eater myself?

mummy2aaron · 14/09/2007 22:29

I think a 3 year old who can manage a meal with no spillage or mess on hands must be an exceptional child, I don't know of many adults who can achieve that!

2shoes · 14/09/2007 22:30

omg i so get this dd is 12 and the state of her clothes. but I refuse to let school put bibs on her. just pre soak the clothes.

twoisplenty · 14/09/2007 22:32

We have the modern version of the napkin - I give my dc a baby wipe each. But they enjoy cleaning the table instead!

mummy2aaron · 14/09/2007 22:37

baby wipes are fantastic for when eating out, unfortunately we can't do that a lot with my brood

2shoes · 14/09/2007 22:51

mummy2aaron I know what you mean. I would have to use to tubs for one meal.

TotalChaos · 14/09/2007 23:30

Agree with Escape. Some do, some don't.

MaryAnnSingleton · 14/09/2007 23:32

gah ! my ten yr old needs a napkin stuck in his collar because he drops everything !!

handlemecarefully · 14/09/2007 23:35

Each to their own surely, although I personally had despatched with bibs by this age. Also think the mother in the case you have given was bang out of order

Monkeytrousers · 14/09/2007 23:38

Prime candidate for PROZAC methinks!

2shoes · 14/09/2007 23:44

wow
lots of over 3's wear bibs. how do you know the child in the op doesn't have sn or might just be a late developer

mummy2aaron · 15/09/2007 06:37

exactly, for all we know the school could have had instrctions to use a bib and ignored them, as many schools do with sn probs.

CristinaTheAstonishing · 15/09/2007 07:26

If it's a nursery attached to the school (where they go for only 2.5 hours) who would wash the bibs? Genuine question as they don't have washing machines in schools, do they? I'm surprised about no spoons.

islandofsodor · 15/09/2007 23:57

They send them home every Friday to be cleaned. They are not cloth but a sort of PVC?, you know like painting apron material.

Kiddi · 16/09/2007 00:40

Wow, i am surprised how many parents and schools, do give toddlers upwards bibs, smocks etc. I am a CM and I hardly ever use bibs for any kids unless they are at the learning to feed themselves stage, 9 -18 months dependent on child etc. I have never yet had any mindees clothes ruined or stained by the lack of a bib, and from personal experience I find its usually at the stage theyare wearing bibs that they turn their heads to express fullness or to say No and wipe their mouths and food on their shoulders anyway. Guess you learn stuff about other people and kids everyday. my DD started school this week, would have thought it a joke if asked to provide bib for her.

Original poster

CHOCOLATEPEANUT · 16/09/2007 21:21

Nursery is attached to a school and is full time.

Have noticed that a lots of the children attending are very young for age and still quite babyish.I did hear one say that her son who is now 4 still wears pull ups and she was not in a rush to get him toilet trained.My dd is my first and has been quick in everything so I am sometimes unsure about what is 'normal'.
Dont wish to offend anyone outthere

OP posts:

amidaiwish · 16/09/2007 21:33

DD2 is nearly 2 and has refused to wear a bib for a good few months now.
At 3 no YANBU, and no need for spoons either!

myjobismum · 16/09/2007 21:52

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Acinonyx · 16/09/2007 22:33

Dd, 26 mo, successfully refused The Bib at 12 mo at home but cheerfully wears one at nursery. She also eats a good many things (if I'm to believe the daily records) that she declines at home. And she naps, of her own free will, on a mat, in broad daylight, alongside all the other toddlers - whereas she will only get off for a nap in the car for me - if I'm lucky.

I also confess that I practically spoon feed dd still for no very good reason - although they don't help her at nursery. I don't think she'll be ready with a knife and fork by 3 at this rate. Jill

Flip

1 2