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Original poster

Giving sugar to under 1

21 replies

piperx2 · 03/12/2022 11:02

Would you allow your DC, under 1 to have sugar twice a week?

MIL insists that I'm too strict because whenever we go out on the weekends for a coffee, I refuse to give my DD pastries/cakes/sweets. She says I'm unreasonable as DD "looks at everyone else eating" and "wants some". Don't get me wrong, if me, or DH order something alongside the coffee, a pastry or whatever it is, we'll give DD a little, but I think a whole cream pastry is too much for a baby?

We see MIL a couple times of week, and she constantly wants to give DD sweets any time they're together.

OP posts:
jugglerofballs · 03/12/2022 11:05

YANBU. She’s a baby, everything is new/a treat. Why ruin her with cakes and sugar? There is plenty of time for that when she’s older. I think it’s natural for GP to want to spoil their DGC but she’s your baby, it’s your decision when to give her sugar - stay firm.

Fleur405 · 03/12/2022 11:08

No, I wouldn’t let my 9 month old have a cream pastry or sweets even if she really wanted one. Just like I don’t let her lick shoes, poke the cat in the face, eat tissues she’s fished out the bin (even though she really wants to do all those things too!)

1234IDeclareAPeanutWar · 03/12/2022 11:10

I wouldn't have been happy about it with DC1.

With DC 2 and 3, I saw the bigger picture.

Fleur405 · 03/12/2022 11:10

In a more helpful response I’d tell MIL that the guidance is not to give sugary foods before 1 and you’re going to insist on that but you’ll be happy to let her have occasional treats when she’s a bit older.

Mamai90 · 03/12/2022 11:12

I'd stay firm. I think it's hard to stop once you've started as everyone then thinks it's OK. Don't do it.

RandomPerson42 · 03/12/2022 11:16

sugar is poison at any age - cream I’d be fine with. Your baby your rules though. Yanbu.

Ihavekids · 03/12/2022 11:19

No sugar or salt before 1. You're absolutely not being unreasonable. Loads will disagree tho- who cares. No way should a baby be eating sweets.

Leah5678 · 03/12/2022 11:23

Shes only a baby and won't miss what she doesn't know.

ChillysWaterBottle · 03/12/2022 11:25

YANBU and in any case your baby your rules x

bellac11 · 03/12/2022 11:26

Ihavekids · 03/12/2022 11:19

No sugar or salt before 1. You're absolutely not being unreasonable. Loads will disagree tho- who cares. No way should a baby be eating sweets.

They do need some salt, that might come through breast feeding though. They need a very small amount.

quietnightmare · 03/12/2022 11:28

Just take snacks with you and give them to your baby before GP gets a chance to offer a pastry/cake

startfresh · 03/12/2022 11:30

Pffft my dc isn't getting that until after two. No matter how much my PILs huff and puff about it (not even sure how it makes a difference to them?!) your child, your rules.

Dc gets kiddie treats but not adult sugar filled snacks

georgarina · 03/12/2022 11:36

Ultimately it doesn't matter what anyone else does. It's YOUR baby, not hers. She doesn't make the rules - no matter what rule it is - and if she can't abide by yours, I would reduce visits and explain why.

Respectfullydisagree · 03/12/2022 11:42

Obvs your choice. I feel a little taste now and then won’t hurt but a whole cake themselves is a lot, even for me! As they get past one I think it’s important they taste everything, making sweets a NO will only make them want it more and go crazy at birthday parties etc… I try and not label anything as good or bad. If my 18 old wants a taste that’s fine, but then she can also taste my veg and whatever else I’m eating y’know

MarianneVos · 03/12/2022 11:47

How old is DD?

Actual sweets no, but would be happy with cake/pastry. Wouldn't buy her one myself as it would be a waste as presumably she'll just mash most of it up to make crumbs/smear everywhere so wouldn't pay café prices for that, but if MIL wanted to waste their money it wouldn't bother me.

Your child so absolutely your decision though. Could you go somewhere that sold a nice fruit salad or something so that MIL felt like she was getting the baby a treat still?

1234IDeclareAPeanutWar · 03/12/2022 11:49

RandomPerson42 · 03/12/2022 11:16

sugar is poison at any age - cream I’d be fine with. Your baby your rules though. Yanbu.

No it's not.

Notanotherone6 · 03/12/2022 11:54

I think it's fine. A small amount obviously, not a whole cream cake for a one year old, but then I think it's fine for my kids to have a few sweets everyday.

CecilyP · 03/12/2022 12:01

Your baby has had sugar every day since she was born. It is present in some form both in breast milk and formula.

Ellessdee · 03/12/2022 12:02

I didn't give my son any sweet treats until he started asking for them. Think he was around 18 months, it was Christmas, he was desperate to try some chocolate as everyone was eating it. Before this I just didn't see the point in giving him unhealthy food if he didn't actively want it. Once they've tasted sugar it's then important to make sure they have it in moderation. I wouldn't judge someone who gave their child an occasional sugary treat, but wasn't my choice for my son.

Goldbar · 03/12/2022 12:06

DC1 didn't have any of that sort of thing until well after 1. No sweets or chocolate until after 2.

With DC2, I think I'd be a bit more relaxed. But you'd be talking a bite of someone else's pastry, not a whole adult-sized one to themselves.

bellac11 · 03/12/2022 12:38

CecilyP · 03/12/2022 12:01

Your baby has had sugar every day since she was born. It is present in some form both in breast milk and formula.

Also fruit. By 1 they will have bveen weaned with tomatoes, carrot, banana, apple, grapes etc

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