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AIBU?

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Original poster

Toddler given marshmallows at nursery

194 replies

ginonthebus · 15/12/2023 23:21

DS (18 months) has returned from nursery this evening with a cake he's 'made'. Was slightly concerned to see that it's decorated with a full size marshmallow on top. His nursery are usually brilliant with safety etc, but aren't these a major choking hazard? Can't tell if I'm being a bit PFB about this or if it's worth saying something to nursery. DH thinks we'll be 'those parents' if we do...

OP posts:
tiggergoesbounce · 16/12/2023 20:35

We didn't give our DS any sweets or sugary things until he was over about 2.5years old.
Would i complain to a nursery for sending him home with something christmassy he had made, absolutely not, we just wouldn't give it him to eat.

Similarly regards to it being a choking hazard. It has been made and sent home to be eaten under adult supervision. Dont give it them if you dont want them to eat it or dont want to cut it so its safe for them.

Flamingbow · 16/12/2023 20:52

I don't have children but have worked with young children for many years. Edible items sent home with them are sending the message that it's safe for them to eat to parents, many who don't know. They should be mindful that marshmallows aren't recommended for under 5s for good reason. When a parent makes an informed decision for their own child that's different to a setting doing so, I suspect they're ignorant and don't know rather than anything else. I'd message them and say about it- as long as you're polite and not nasty about it up to them how they take it.

Bertiesmum3 · 17/12/2023 17:42

Highlyflavouredgravy · 15/12/2023 23:51

So take the marshmallow off.
For God's sake.

Yes 🙌🏻
my children were eating them from a very young age and so do my grandchildren

BreatheAndFocus · 17/12/2023 18:10

Marshmallows are a choking hazard. No way should they even be in nursery let alone being baked or decorated with. They can block the airway and, due to their texture, are extremely difficult to get out. Please do tell the nursery.

PastelHouses · 17/12/2023 18:21

This reply has been deleted

This is a goady troll so we've removed their posts.

Sinthie · 17/12/2023 18:22

I nearly choked on one as a young child. Definitely would not give the large ones to under 5s without cutting them up.

wasdarknowblond · 17/12/2023 18:22

I certainly wouldn’t let a small child eat a full size marshmallow and I’m amazed so many people don’t see them as a hazard. The nursery should in no way have them anywhere near the kids - it’s just not worth taking the chance.

NewNan21 · 17/12/2023 18:25

To comply with EY practice small marshmallows should have been used. Also an awful it if sugar for an 18 month old

Jack80 · 17/12/2023 18:29

Your child hasn't eaten it, I would be bothered more if the nursery had said my child had a full marshmallow for snack but I wouldn't mention it to nursery.

Voiceofreason1 · 17/12/2023 18:44

As an ex nursery manager I would be glad if this was brought to my attention. The staff member supervising that activity needs to know using marshmallows of that size is a choking hazard.

Georgyporky · 17/12/2023 19:16

Not just the choking issue, but the amount of sugar !!!

comedycentral · 17/12/2023 19:31

I would say something to them to help them understand the risks. Have you heard of Millies Trust? They provide first aid training to nurseries, their baby died from eating mash potato at nursery. www.milliestrust.com/

Sillyname63 · 17/12/2023 20:17

In Wales recently a lady in her 30s died after taking part in a marshmallow eating competition because it got stuck in her throat and blocked her airway so you can imagine what it would do to a small child.

Strokethefurrywall · 17/12/2023 20:34

HoppingPavlova · 16/12/2023 05:41

I know of a former colleague's daughter who died choking on a marshmallow, and she was an adult. It was one of the large ones designed for toasting on a fire. I haven't eaten a large marshmallow since, only the small ones you have on hot chocolate. There's no way my DS will be having one until he is old enough to understand the risks

Good god. I understand not giving them to kids but to make out they are akin to dynamite for adults also and we all need to understand the risks of eating them as adults 🤷‍♀️. Do you ever walk down a footpath, ride in a car as passenger or driver. Guarantee more adults die every year due to these activities than eating marshmallows. Actually more adults would die in a decade from train crashes/derailments than eating marshmallows. How likely are you to inform your DS of these risks when he is older so he can decide if he’d like to undertake a train ride? Madness.

This. People have gone absolutely mad.

Strokethefurrywall · 17/12/2023 20:36

Georgyporky · 17/12/2023 19:16

Not just the choking issue, but the amount of sugar !!!

This. This right here is peak Mumsnet.

Won't SOMEONE think of the children!!!
<clutches pearls>

Bertiesmum3 · 17/12/2023 20:37

This reply has been deleted

This is a goady troll so we've removed their posts.

Not negligent, they’ve all been very good with biting and chewing, having teeth young, so no not putting safety aside!
so crack on and judge away!!!

Herecomestreble1 · 17/12/2023 20:43

That would worry me.

MistressWeatherwax1 · 17/12/2023 21:15

The guidelines state marshmallows shouldn't be given to babies or young children as they are a choking hazard, due to this the nursery shouldn't be using them at all when there are plenty of alternative baking activities for them to do.

I would complain and make them aware of this as the guidelines on marshmallows only changed a few months ago.

Poseypops · 17/12/2023 22:15

Please raise it with nursery, it’s not a complaint, it’s a discussion. A toddler died at my daughters nursery from choking on Jelly. If someone had raised a worry about choking, perhaps they wouldn’t have been playing with the jelly that day. It’s not us and them, we are all in this journey together. Mini marshmallows work on cakes, nobody would be missing out!

Hmm1234 · 17/12/2023 22:37

Huh what my toddler was served hot chocolate with marshmallows from the John Lewis cafe

buckeejit · 17/12/2023 22:44

I think I from a safeguarding pov, this was really irresponsible of nursery.

The big marshmallows on a Digestive is a great looking snowman craft but plenty of parents won't know this risk & it's unnecessary for nursery to send this home without a warning at least. They wouldn't give a toddler a pair of scissors to carry home & that's less risky.

I'd definitely put a gentle complaint in about this.

ThemysteriousH · 17/12/2023 22:50

As someone who’s first DS choked on a marshmallow (I was 21 and had no clue, no excuse though, YANBU

ChristmasTreeCookies · 17/12/2023 22:52

This bothers me but I grew up in the Welsh town the lady died in.
Yes marshmallows can get stuck in the windpipe and are hard to dislodge.
So i don't think they are good for toddlers..

MyopicBunny · 17/12/2023 22:54

Hmm1234 · 17/12/2023 22:37

Huh what my toddler was served hot chocolate with marshmallows from the John Lewis cafe

The tiny ones I should imagine?

snackatack · 17/12/2023 22:58

I didn't know - I'm guessing the nursery might not have done either..

It was a few years into having young children that I found out you have to cut grapes lengthways - rather than in 'half' - as 'in half' can be the same choking hazard!