Page 11 | To give my 18 month old Macdonalds?

Benji4ever · 2022-08-20T10:42:51+00:00

Twice a month I take my two DS swimming all afternoon. On way home we get a drive through Macdonalds The 3 year old has a happy meal. The 18 month old has a few of the chips. That's it. I saw a mum give me one of those looks as I took some chips from the happy meal and gave them to the little one. Is this awful? Its only twice a month and only a few chips. Also the 18 month old drink diluted squash regularly. Aibu to think in the grand scheme of things its not that bad?

LydiaBennetsUglyBonnet · 20/08/2022 15:06

DogsAndGin · 20/08/2022 14:59

You can do whatever you like. But seeing as you asked for opinions - I think it’s pretty disgraceful to feed children McDonalds (or any fried/processed meat).

But, I am in the minority - looking at the norm of school and nursery dinners (pizza, sausages, burgers, nuggets, fish fingers - at a NURSERY), you are not alone.

Disgraceful 🤣 I hope you feel DISGRACED, OP!

LydiaBennetsUglyBonnet · 20/08/2022 15:08

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Don’t worry, they’ll soon be crying when they’re called into school for their children nicking food from others.

Poor kids - only ever having organic homemade food so presumably never sweets or crisps or chocolate bars, ever. Hello, food issues!

kittykutty · 20/08/2022 15:10

Benji4ever · 20/08/2022 14:52

sorry but no, my son is also 3, born August 2019 and has been to the dentist. He was 7 months old when lockdown was introduced the first time, so had already been once. He was then seen October 2020, June 2021, January 2022 & August 2022. Yes, there have been delays with them not quite being 6 months but he has still been seen. There’s no excuse.

Bloody hell @Louise0701 - you are not messing about. You took a baby who was under 7 months to the dentist? I don't think either of mine had teeth at that point.

Unless your baby is getting fillings, I don't think it's all that important at that age. I'll get roasted now. No excuse? Lol. Mine didn't have teeth either and frankly, there would be nothing to report.

I think op gets the idea re squash!

Cheeseandlobster · 20/08/2022 15:12

LydiaBennetsUglyBonnet · 20/08/2022 15:08

Don’t worry, they’ll soon be crying when they’re called into school for their children nicking food from others.

Poor kids - only ever having organic homemade food so presumably never sweets or crisps or chocolate bars, ever. Hello, food issues!

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Exactly. I have seen this with ds's friends when he was small. Depriving children of some foods just makes them want it more. A little in moderation is fine

LydiaBennetsUglyBonnet · 20/08/2022 15:13

I could be making this up entirely but I thought McDonald’s gave its menu an overhaul and reduced the fats etc to the point where the calories are actually no higher than your bog standard Sunday meal? Would be a while ago now after they came under a lot of fire for the high calorie food?

UndertheCedartree · 20/08/2022 15:16

5YearsLeft · 20/08/2022 14:22

@UndertheCedartree Headline of article I’ve attached says it all. “Drinking fruit squash can wear away teeth, says study.” Your personal anecdote simply doesn’t change the overwhelming data. Currently, 23% of five year olds in the UK have tooth decay. It’s both the sugar and the acid in squash that causes issues, so even sugar-free squash will not be enough. It’s still acidic. It’s been made stronger in both those (sugar and acid) categories since you were young, there’s a lowering of the amount of toothbrushing, people are not drinking as much water between drinking squash so the teeth aren’t incidentally “rinsed,”and when it comes to whether an individual will develop tooth decay, there’s also a built-in component - you may simply be born with strong teeth or weak teeth, so you and a friend could both drink the same diluted squash as children and she’d get six carries and you none. Strong teeth can cover a multitude of sins. It doesn’t mean squash doesn’t cause damage, just that you may have been lucky and a majority (according to an actual scientific study) won’t be. Here’s the article on the study:
www.bbc.co.uk/newsround/43167086.amp

Oh, absolutely, I agree, one anecdote doesn't mean anything. And yes, I do realise squash is not good, hence not giving it to my DC. It was just my personal response as when/where I grew up all the DC drunk squash. It is interesting about squash being stronger, now. I find it strange about a lowering of toothbrushing because it seems to be pushed and talked about much more than when I was young. Also we never drunk water. It was tea, fruit juice (only a little) or squash. I think I must just have strong teeth, as you say!

5YearsLeft · 20/08/2022 15:17

Sunnyqueen · 20/08/2022 13:23

Not to mention the trauma for them of going through extensive, avoidable dental work. When they’re absolutely screaming the house down in a dentist’s chair, as so many children under the age of 10 do, they won’t be saying, “Oh yes, this is worth it because I so enjoy squash.”

Im sorry but how dramatic can you actually be?? 🤣🤦‍♀️

TRIGGER WARNING: DENTAL. I’ve stated repeatedly that I’ve spent my time posting in this thread because I had necessary, unavoidable dental work done when I was a child, and I’d like to save any child from avoidable dental work. I didn’t think I’d have to explain, but hey, there’s one arsehole in every crowd and today, it’s you. You must be proud. It was done by a sadistic bastard in the 80s. He kept jamming the needle with Novocain into the roof of my mouth to “try” to numb it and he did it again and again and again. I felt the needle every time and he did it about ten times. It should have been small needle holes but there were so many that there was actually blood dripping from the roof of my mouth. My grandmother said she could hear me trying to tell him to stop (mumble-shrieking around the needle and his hands), but they wouldn’t let her in the room. I was all of 8 or 9. Finally he pulled my two front teeth, because he determined I wouldn’t lose them on my own. But they weren’t ready to come out at all - he was incredibly wrong, there was blood everywhere, he tore up my mouth, and it was a catastrophic mess. My adult ones didn’t come in until I was something like 11. (I dont remember exact ages now). It took years. My grandmother knew where he lived and every time we had to pass by that dentist’s house after, her face would just become wooden - she bloody HATED him after what he did me.

Look. I hope that couldn’t happen now. I hope, in general, there aren’t many, or ANY, sadistic dentists treating children running around nowadays. But if you can keep your child from needing any dental work at all, that would just be a hell of a lot better for everyone.

Louise0701 · 20/08/2022 15:17

@Benji4ever of course I did, I’ve taken all 3 from 6 months old. My youngest had 3 teeth by 7 months. It gets them used to going and sitting in the chair. Better to go at 6 months than have never gone at 3.

Louise0701 · 20/08/2022 15:20

@kittykutty it gets them used to going and having their teeth looked at. All 3 of my children have had at least 1 tooth by 7 months. They’ve all gone from 6 months old, mainly to get them into the habit of going.
Its perhaps coincidence, but none of them have ever screamed or gotten upset about going to the dentist.
As for your “lol” do you really think it’s funny that a 3 year old who regularly drinks squash has never seen a dentist?

LydiaBennetsUglyBonnet · 20/08/2022 15:20

Cheeseandlobster · 20/08/2022 15:12

Exactly. I have seen this with ds's friends when he was small. Depriving children of some foods just makes them want it more. A little in moderation is fine

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YY. There is a Smug Mum is my DD’s class who doesn’t let her kids have treats of any kind, and is very vocal about this. Especially when other people are giving their kids treats. The whole PA ‘wow they’re so good to eat so much, mine wouldn’t have chocolate if you paid them’ 🙄

The smug tables were turned at my DD’s 6th birthday party. We went to a farm park where they had a slushy machine. As part of the package the kids could have an ice cream or slushy. Smug Mum said “Oh don’t bother with my 2, they hate anything sweet and wouldn’t touch ice cream or a slushy with a barge pole”.

2 minutes later and I find both her kids in the corner, having swiped a slushy each from their friends, drinking them down like there’s no tomorrow and saying “oh my gosh this is so tasty”. I have to say I took more than a little pleasure going to their mum to say ‘they’re having slushiest just so you know’. she literally ran, and actually used the words “stop drinking them, you don’t like sweet things!”. Two massive tantrums followed, and I did think it would just have been easier to bloody let them have one in the first place.

Johnnysgirl · 20/08/2022 15:21

Benji4ever · 20/08/2022 14:52

sorry but no, my son is also 3, born August 2019 and has been to the dentist. He was 7 months old when lockdown was introduced the first time, so had already been once. He was then seen October 2020, June 2021, January 2022 & August 2022. Yes, there have been delays with them not quite being 6 months but he has still been seen. There’s no excuse.

Bloody hell @Louise0701 - you are not messing about. You took a baby who was under 7 months to the dentist? I don't think either of mine had teeth at that point.

You know everyone should ideally have a 6 month checkup, don't you?
You clearly haven't prioritised dental health for yourself either.

LydiaBennetsUglyBonnet · 20/08/2022 15:22

@5YearsLeft sorey you had a bad experience as a child but you must realise that isn’t the norm and doesn’t happen to 99.99% of children? It’s 40 years later FFS!

LydiaBennetsUglyBonnet · 20/08/2022 15:23

Johnnysgirl · 20/08/2022 15:21

You know everyone should ideally have a 6 month checkup, don't you?
You clearly haven't prioritised dental health for yourself either.

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My dentist wouldn’t see a child before 18mo, it’s rather pointless unless Theres a problem already

kittykutty · 20/08/2022 15:23

Louise0701 · 20/08/2022 15:20

@kittykutty it gets them used to going and having their teeth looked at. All 3 of my children have had at least 1 tooth by 7 months. They’ve all gone from 6 months old, mainly to get them into the habit of going.
Its perhaps coincidence, but none of them have ever screamed or gotten upset about going to the dentist.
As for your “lol” do you really think it’s funny that a 3 year old who regularly drinks squash has never seen a dentist?

Oh have a day off, will you? Should I apologise for typing lol now,", get over it.

Fear of dentists is mostly projected onto people by parents, movies etc. Never been afraid of the dentist. Never had dental issues. My children do not drink sugary drinks and eat a normal diet.

Is that good enough for you?

UndertheCedartree · 20/08/2022 15:25

MrsR87 · 20/08/2022 14:34

For me, the squash is a big no no. My DS is 21 months and he has either water or milk. I intend to keep this going as long as I can.

The McDonalds thing is such a personal choice. For me, it would be a no but not because I am against him having a treat. Simply because neither me or my partner see McDonalds as a treat at all and would actively avoid eating in one ourselves. We did all have a burger last weekend though as a family treat in a local burger restaurant that was a finalist in the national burger awards this year. Their patties are handmade and far less processed and the children's’ fries come Unseasoned as standard. I had a burger loaded with chorizo (which DS tried and loved) and DH had blue cheese on his fries which DS loves so had some of that too. These are all things we would eat at home anyway so all good with me!

The few fries in McDonalds as a treat wouldn’t overly concern me if it’s something you enjoy as a family but I would try to avoid it become an expected routine at that age.

Personally, I wouldn't feed such a young DC processed meat. I'd prefer a few fries to that, any day.

Johnnysgirl · 20/08/2022 15:25

LydiaBennetsUglyBonnet · 20/08/2022 15:23

My dentist wouldn’t see a child before 18mo, it’s rather pointless unless Theres a problem already

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Op has mentioned that she can't register with a dentist for her whole family. She clearly doesn't bother on her own behalf either or she'd be registered already.

LydiaBennetsUglyBonnet · 20/08/2022 15:27

Johnnysgirl · 20/08/2022 15:25

Op has mentioned that she can't register with a dentist for her whole family. She clearly doesn't bother on her own behalf either or she'd be registered already.

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I think what she was trying to do was register all 3 of them but no NHS dentists have the space. I don’t think she realises so many private practices take children on for free

UndertheCedartree · 20/08/2022 15:27

LydiaBennetsUglyBonnet · 20/08/2022 14:34

Well there is, OP couldn’t get into a dentist. It’s also called a ‘reason’.

Obviously it’s a postcode lottery too as my area/dentist doesn’t see children before they 18 months

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I must admit, I've never heard of someone taking a baby to the dentist.

henni85 · 20/08/2022 15:28

I give my 18 month old McDonald’s occasionally.
On the teeth subject, I can’t get a dentist for my little one. No NHS ones near me taking on. I couldn’t even get him seen when he managed to fall over and break a tooth. Not everyone can afford private dental care.
My teenagers had squash as toddlers. My 18 year old has autism and hated having his teeth brushed. He had to have 8 baby teeth filled and 2 removed due to decay. It was awful. Needless to say, since then it has been water only until they are at secondary school and have access to other drinks

Original poster

Benji4ever · 20/08/2022 15:31

@Johnnysgirl I moved area because of leaving my partner. And I haven't been able to register with a dentist in the new area. Its literally headline news that people can't get a dentist appointment.

I will call again on Monday. I've never had a filling or braces or anything and have pretty white straight teeth so perhaps haven't prioritised it as much as I should for myself but I literally can't find a place at the mo. And I'm not the only one.

OP posts:

UndertheCedartree · 20/08/2022 15:39

88milesanhour · 20/08/2022 14:35

For our 4YO dd we adopt a 'more' approach.... more vegetables, more excercise, more homecooked and varied food rather than drilling into her about certain foods/drinks being evil. We do have a 'one sweet thing only a day' rule but generally don't heavily restrict crap food. She has a bit of a sweet tooth but also has a very varied taste enjoying quite sophisticated food eg olives. And yes, shock horror, she's allowed squash (it's virtually zero calories, I don't really get the harm) She's going to discover junk food at some point so teaching her to have a good relationship with it rather than see it as 'forbidden fruit' that she can rebel against us with in her teenage years is far better than only letting her experience water and carrott sticks IMHO

I think that's a good approach , it's the kind of thing I've tried to do with mine. I'm not sure what it is about olives, lots of DC seem to like them. I mean neither of mine will eat a cherry tomato but love olives! Mind you, avocados were seen as sophisticated when I was young and only for adults, but most DC seem to be given them now and love them!

LydiaBennetsUglyBonnet · 20/08/2022 15:43

@Benji4ever you don’t have to justify yourself to the pearl clutchers

Sunnyqueen · 20/08/2022 15:46

5YearsLeft · 20/08/2022 15:17

TRIGGER WARNING: DENTAL. I’ve stated repeatedly that I’ve spent my time posting in this thread because I had necessary, unavoidable dental work done when I was a child, and I’d like to save any child from avoidable dental work. I didn’t think I’d have to explain, but hey, there’s one arsehole in every crowd and today, it’s you. You must be proud. It was done by a sadistic bastard in the 80s. He kept jamming the needle with Novocain into the roof of my mouth to “try” to numb it and he did it again and again and again. I felt the needle every time and he did it about ten times. It should have been small needle holes but there were so many that there was actually blood dripping from the roof of my mouth. My grandmother said she could hear me trying to tell him to stop (mumble-shrieking around the needle and his hands), but they wouldn’t let her in the room. I was all of 8 or 9. Finally he pulled my two front teeth, because he determined I wouldn’t lose them on my own. But they weren’t ready to come out at all - he was incredibly wrong, there was blood everywhere, he tore up my mouth, and it was a catastrophic mess. My adult ones didn’t come in until I was something like 11. (I dont remember exact ages now). It took years. My grandmother knew where he lived and every time we had to pass by that dentist’s house after, her face would just become wooden - she bloody HATED him after what he did me.

Look. I hope that couldn’t happen now. I hope, in general, there aren’t many, or ANY, sadistic dentists treating children running around nowadays. But if you can keep your child from needing any dental work at all, that would just be a hell of a lot better for everyone.

Show quote history

Just because you had an unfortunate experience of a sadistic, quack dentist 40 years ago doesn't mean every child who drinks 2 cups of weak squash a day will have unnecessary and avoidable dental trauma, screaming the house down by the age of 10.

5YearsLeft · 20/08/2022 15:49

@UndertheCedartree And honestly, I really do hope your children inherited your strong teeth if that’s the case. I do think it makes things a lot easier, dental-wise. I know it seems insane that there’s more of a push than ever about teeth brushing yet rates are falling, but that’s exactly the case.
In 2012, 45% of children in one study crushed twice a day and 35% once a day.
By 2018, it was only 30% of children brushing twice a day with 60% brushing once a day.
(Denote studies may be different populations.).
2012: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5573461/
2018: www.stemprotect.co.uk/less-than-a-third-of-children-are-brushing-their-teeth-twice-a-day/

I know this is showing my age, but I don’t know anyone who caused a malarkey about brushing their teeth after age 2 when I was a child. You just did it. Whereas now I have friends who tell me they’re STILL having these colossal struggles to get their seven year old to brush, and they’ve been fighting him since the age of 13 months about it, and obviously, they haven’t “won” the fight twice a day every day in all that time, so he’s not getting his teeth brushed enough. And this friend isn’t the only one; I’m hearing it from multiple friends about 6, 7, 8 year olds.

BUT I realize those are anecdotes. What does matter is that this study bears me out. The fight needs to stop and it needs to stop at age 2 or 3. You need to have established good teeth brushing habits by then, and have your child brushing (with your help) twice a day, because “major/minor difficulties to perform tooth brushing” at age 2 and 3 is what determines caries developing at age 5.
STUDY: link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s40368-019-00463-3

Original poster

Benji4ever · 20/08/2022 15:50

@LydiaBennetsUglyBonnet Ha ha. You're right. When I started this thread I wanted opinions on McDonald's and have ended up defending my own dental regime!! I've gotta stop caring so much what people think so much.

OP posts: