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Original poster

Feeding babies lemon for a laugh?

98 replies

GooglyEyeballs · 08/04/2022 12:10

I don't have kids so really I don't get a say! (TTC at the moment so please MN fingers crossed for us!)

Lately I've been seeing on Instagram/Facebook loads of videos of people feeding their babies lemon and then laughing at their reactions. It probably doesn't do any harm, but it seems a bit off to me, making a baby uncomfortable for laughs. Babies are pretty funny things without the feeding them sour stuff just to see their faces scrunch up. Maybe I have a stunted sense of humour and need to lighten up?... But I was wondering what MN thought about it.

I also keep seeing videos where parents blindfold their kids and get them to dip their finger in something and taste it and then remove their blind fold and the parents are holding up their dogs arse and the horror on the kids faces is just horrible. I'd be really upset if someone did that to me.

Don't get me wrong I love a good prank but I think they're only funny if the prank makes the victim laugh and not feel awful. What does MN think?

OP posts:
MrsSkylerWhite · 08/04/2022 12:12

Not on either of those things but if parents are really doing that, they need to take a long, hard look at themselves. Bit sick.

TakeYourFinalPosition · 08/04/2022 12:13

I think the second example is a really old “trend” and hopefully you’re only seeing it because you’re watching food reaction videos, so the algorithms are showing you more… it was an appalling trend, really.

Lemon is a weird one. I have a four month old. The guidance is to let him try everything, so I guess he’ll have lemon when we wean in a few months, and his face will probably be funny… I don’t think I’d do it on purpose, but it is on the list of foods to let them explore, so I’m not sure it’s cruel.

TibetanTerrah · 08/04/2022 12:13

Some people will do anything for likes.

I follow a woman on tiktok who seems to have a real aversion to sour things and her reactions are brilliant. But she's a grown woman making the choice herself. Making a baby do it for five minutes of fame isn't on imo.

JesusInTheCabbageVan · 08/04/2022 12:15

I hate things like this.

Basically anyone who exploits their child's unconditional trust in them doesn't deserve children.

StrychnineInTheSandwiches · 08/04/2022 12:15

I don't see a problem with letting a baby taste a slice of lemon? It's a perfectly normal food and they might like the tartness. Surely it's only a problem if the baby indicates they dislike it and then the parent makes them try it again.

Liervik · 08/04/2022 12:16

This reply has been withdrawn

This has been withdrawn by MNHQ for privacy reasons.

StrychnineInTheSandwiches · 08/04/2022 12:16

Using your kids for fame and likes on social media is another thing.

tillytoodles1 · 08/04/2022 12:17

My granddaughter was desperate to have a taste of her dad's curry despite being told it,was too hot. In the end he gave her a tiny bit on the end of a spoon and her face was a picture. Her mum was waiting with her phone to capture it.

ReeseWitherfork · 08/04/2022 12:17

Feeding them lemon seems a bit odd. But filming their reaction and posting online is ridiculous. I don’t share much of my son online at all, and I certainly won’t be sharing anything but his positive moments, not really fair on him!

Smartiepants79 · 08/04/2022 12:17

My youngest loves lemons, always has and still does at age nine.
The dog bum one is a bit weird but filming your child’s reactions to new foods is not that big a deal.
You know they’re not going to remember it don’t you?

MrsSkylerWhite · 08/04/2022 12:18

StrychnineInTheSandwiches

I don't see a problem with letting a baby taste a slice of lemon? It's a perfectly normal food and they might like the tartness. Surely it's only a problem if the baby indicates they dislike it and then the parent makes them try it again“

Agree. Our grandchild loves lemon! But would you film it and paste their reaction all over the place? That’s pathetic.

JesusInTheCabbageVan · 08/04/2022 12:19

@StrychnineInTheSandwiches

I don't see a problem with letting a baby taste a slice of lemon? It's a perfectly normal food and they might like the tartness. Surely it's only a problem if the baby indicates they dislike it and then the parent makes them try it again.
Ah, I read it as feeding the baby a chunk of lemon!
hifiive · 08/04/2022 12:19

@JesusInTheCabbageVan

I hate things like this.

Basically anyone who exploits their child's unconditional trust in them doesn't deserve children.

It's not that deep, seriously.

It is a citrus fruit, not bleach. The child can pick it up, taste it, and put it down if they don't like it.

Plus some kids do like lemon, not all hate it. My preschooler cries for lemons, we have to hide them.

Original poster
GooglyEyeballs · 08/04/2022 12:20

Just to clarify, I don't think it's off to let a baby try lemon, of course they might like it. It's the purposefully doing it knowing they're not going to like it so they can post it on the internet bit that I don't really like.

OP posts:
EveryFlightBeginsWithAFall · 08/04/2022 12:20

My younger 2 loved lemon, never filmed it though

1000yellowdaisies · 08/04/2022 12:20

Completely agree op, i hate these videos parents do of so called 'pranks' which in any other circumstance would be bullying behaviour.
We have giggles and jokes in our family but we dont use our kids as the butt of our jokes and film them. Its gross

Chessie678 · 08/04/2022 12:20

My DS’s nursery did a “sensory experience “ where they tried lemon and a few other unusual foods. They seemed to enjoy it and my toddler will ask for slices to eat. It’s naff putting it on social media though.

hifiive · 08/04/2022 12:21

@GooglyEyeballs

Just to clarify, I don't think it's off to let a baby try lemon, of course they might like it. It's the purposefully doing it knowing they're not going to like it so they can post it on the internet bit that I don't really like.

Purposefully doing what? Shoving it in their mouth and holding it? That is wrong. And would be wrong regardless of what food it was.

Putting a slice on their high chair? Fine.

JaneJeffer · 08/04/2022 12:21

My MIL loves giving babies their first taste of lemon. She's a lovely woman honestly Grin it's not going to do them any harm and will give them a shot of Vitamin C!

Headabovetheparakeet · 08/04/2022 12:22

I saw a video once where some parents pretended their kid had disappeared, they totally ignored her. The kid was frantic and sobbing by the end, it was really cruel.

araiwa · 08/04/2022 12:22

I couldn't care less

SirChenjins · 08/04/2022 12:23

I don’t like it either. Never ceases to amaze me what some people will do for likes on SM.

707smile · 08/04/2022 12:24

I think it's horrible, it breaks their trust.

The lemon thing is unpleasant but the dog's/cat arse and the smear of nutella (pretending it's poo) is just horrible.

Confrontayshunme · 08/04/2022 12:24

My fave baby photos of both my DDs were trying new foods! They were given lemons, lime, grapefruit and orange early on because I have a skin allergy and wanted to ensure they were okay with them. One made a predictably hilarious face with lemons but ate limes like they were candy. The other sucked all citrus but ate ice cream like we were poisoning her! It isn't as though we are giving them inedible things. I mean mine ate grass and playdoh at that age.

But I totally agree that doing it for likes is awful.

Original poster
GooglyEyeballs · 08/04/2022 12:25

@JaneJeffer maybe I should lighten up!

@Headabovetheparakeet that's so cruel :( I got lost as a kid once and it was very upsetting for a child.

OP posts:
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