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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Aibu and should I say something or not?

49 replies

E551 · 03/08/2020 13:01

My partner has just been to pick up our 2 and a half year old son from his parents and he mentioned that our son has mini eggs from my mother in law now and again but that she does cut them in half.

Aibu or should I mention that I would prefer it if our son not have mini eggs because they’re known to be a choking hazard and I don’t think he should be having them at this age, even if they are cut in half because I think it’s still a hazard at his age due to them not learning to chew properly until they’re age 4/5. I’m also very scared because our son choked on walkers crisps not long ago, luckily wasn’t totally dislodged so my partner was able to give back slaps and dislodge it. My mother in law mentioned after this incident as well that she wouldn’t know what to do if she saw our son choking and would panic so just adds to my worries even more!

I have showed some of the articles on mini eggs being a choking hazard to my partner and he said he’ll mention it to his mum next time he sees her to not give them anymore, but I know sometimes he doesn’t like to tell his mother to not do something so should I make sure she is told not to give them or should I just leave it be since she is cutting them in half although I wouldn’t dare give mini eggs until my son is way older.

OP posts:
Shoxfordian · 03/08/2020 13:33

Where is she getting mini eggs from at this time of year?

LouiseTrees · 03/08/2020 13:39

@Shoxfordian

Where is she getting mini eggs from at this time of year?
Missing the point a bit but exactly what I was thinking too.

Re actual advice, are you not close to her? Why don’t you speak to his mother yourself and say you are a bit anxious, especially as she said she didn’t know what she’d do in a choking situation and could she give him something less hazardous or perhaps learn some child first aid from both of you.

Shoxfordian · 03/08/2020 14:17

Sorry Louise
I like mini eggs...!

I would speak to her directly op but it doesn't seem very high risk to me

bottlenose301 · 03/08/2020 20:30

I think you can get those cadbury mini eggs anywhere.

I ca see your concern but if she cuts them in half it doesn't seem too much a risk. Just have a word with her if you're worried

OverTheRainbow88 · 03/08/2020 20:41

I would say something. I said something to our sons nursery as they put mini eggs on their Easter cakes...!

I would rather a 2 Min slightly awks convo than a lifetime of regret and mourning.

OverTheRainbow88 · 03/08/2020 20:42

Oh I Missed the She’s cutting them in half bit!

Trashtara · 03/08/2020 20:44

She's cutting them and in half, which essentially means crushing them as they are so hard to cut. The risk is minimal

HollysBush · 03/08/2020 20:47

Buy some more appropriate treats (giant buttons?) and give to her explaining about the choking risk

DrManhattan · 03/08/2020 20:48

Cutting a mini egg in half seems like a very high risk operation to me. I can imagine bits flying all around the kitchen. People getting blinded etc

BoggledBudgie · 03/08/2020 20:49

Kids don’t learn to chew properly til their 4/5? I’ll let my DS, who’s been chewing without choking since he was 10 months old.

funinthesun19 · 03/08/2020 20:51

YANBU

OverTheRainbow88 · 03/08/2020 20:57

It does seem like a lot of effort to cut them in half when she could just give something like giant buttons etc!

SteelyPanther · 03/08/2020 21:13

No, I wouldn’t like that.

Original poster
E551 · 03/08/2020 21:24

I wrote that part a bit wrong, what I mean is I read somewhere that because a child’s second molar’s don’t grow until later that they can’t break down some foods properly in their mouth. I did make it sound like he isn’t able to chew food, oops!

OP posts:
Original poster
E551 · 03/08/2020 21:26

I suppose because they are cut in half I should try not to worry, I think I worry just because it say’s on the packet not to give under 4’s but I might just be overreacting. First and only child of mine so I suppose I am just overprotective with some things!

OP posts:
Lockdowners · 03/08/2020 21:27

I wouldn’t believe that she is cutting them in half! As others have said, they would be too hard to cut through and they would smash into pieces. Surely she would just say that she crushed them?

LouiseTrees · 03/08/2020 21:29

@bottlenose301

I think you can get those cadbury mini eggs anywhere.

I ca see your concern but if she cuts them in half it doesn't seem too much a risk. Just have a word with her if you're worried

Usually only til Easter they are available actually
LouiseTrees · 03/08/2020 21:29

@OverTheRainbow88

It does seem like a lot of effort to cut them in half when she could just give something like giant buttons etc!
Exactly what I was hinting at
Medievalist · 03/08/2020 21:38

Trying - and failing - to remember when my dcs were 2.5.

However, it doesn't really matter whether anyone else thinks they're a choking hazard. You do and that's enough. In your shoes I would do two things:

  1. Take her a supply of chocolate buttons and say kindly, but firmly and clearly, that you don't want ds to have mini eggs - cut in half or not - but here are some treats she can give him.
  1. Buy her a book on emergency first aid for children. Or find something online she can watch.
runrabbitrunrunrun · 03/08/2020 21:43

It’s not a choking risk because they are cut in half.
The reason they are a choking risk is because their exact shape and size could block the windpipe, same as a while grape.
I’m half is fine.

Abouttimemum · 03/08/2020 21:51

It seems like a lot of effort when she can give him something else? I couldn’t be arsed with all that when i can crack open some buttons.
Anyway I’m with you OP. I wouldn’t like that at all. Just speak to her about it.
My father-in-law tried to give DS a packet of walkers (he’s 15 months) and I just kindly said I’d rather he wasn’t eating those, but feel free to give him blah etc etc (options that I’m happy with) He was fine about it, just didn’t realise it was an issue for me.

WillowintheUK · 03/08/2020 21:57

@DrManhattan

Cutting a mini egg in half seems like a very high risk operation to me. I can imagine bits flying all around the kitchen. People getting blinded etc
Maybe I'm not supposed to, but this is real chucklesome.

Tell her you don't want your baby having chocolate so young. Sorted.

TeaAndBrie · 03/08/2020 22:30

Wh smiths were selling them last week for 30p a bag and a packet of 5 creme eggs for 40p 😋

GinNotGym19 · 03/08/2020 22:45

It does say on the packet not to be given to under 4s so I would say something. I can’t imagine she is cutting them up and the effort of that is silly anyway

gah2teenagers · 03/08/2020 23:08

Why even do this when there are dozens of safe options. As mine both nearly choked to death at age 1, dd1 popped a conker in her mouth and age 4, dd2 a boiled sweet DH gave her when I said no. I can’t believe people don’t take choking more seriously. If you saw it happen believe me you would not think twice in future.

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