To think pouches are awful?

[AIBUnamechanger9]

I have two DCs and have never fed them from pouches. I see babies and toddlers sucking on them everywhere and it seems horrible for their teeth? Also for having a routine of eating at mealtimes or teaching them to eat properly. I recently spoke with a friend (who I am quite close with and believe she’s a wonderful mum) and she told me her 8 and 10 yo children still eat from pouches, especially if they’re on a day out, etc.

AIBU to despair at the prevalence of pouch feeding?

Amused at the naivety of the parents of children who eat whatever they're offered. Do people really think all these other parents are going out purchasing expensive fruit and veg pouches rather than simply mashing a banana or chucking them an apple? The choice is rarely between fresh fruit or pouches, its between pouches or no fruit at all. Most of us have read the same books you have and we've all tried the same techniques. If they havent worked and our children remain resistant, what then? Accept they won't eat fruit and veg? Force feed them? Let them go hungry until the comply? Or provide the food they need in the only way it will be consumed?

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before I was a parent I used to say “my child will never” until I had a child and they nevered like I had never nevered before 🤣

Meh I used pouches from time to time as well as pureeing my own stuff. I bought some smoothie pouches not long ago for the rats but they didn't like them so the kids ate them...from the pouch 😱

Everyone is still alive, they aren't wandering around looking at a knife and fork wondering what to do with it.

Sorry to break it to you but food that is cooked, pureed, then perhaps frozen, defrosted and reheated is NOT fresh but highly processed, whether or not it is your own fair hands that have done the processing.

Pouches made from organic produce that are vegetable or yoghurt based (the fruit ones can be very sugary) are a decent nutritional option and if compared with other 'convenience' foods may be a great option. There are issues around the plastic packaging and recycling. But nappies are far more destructive in this respect and don't see alot of people judging mothers for putting their child in disposable nappies. Personally I blame the fathers.

https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/parenting/5040613-weaning-3-year-old-what-meals-do-you-make-for-the-whole-family

I’ve started this thread to see what advice comes up. I’ll still be using some pouches but this also may help for those who lack time or confidence or energy with cooking and weaning.

I think somebody just wanted to watch a scrap! The OP has not been back.

For what it’s worth, people should mind their own business about what other parents feed their children. I did baby led weaning. I made everything fresh for my eldest when he started school - even stewing mangoes and mixing with honey to flavour his yoghurt🤣 He is 15 now and eats the biggest load of old shite. Not necessarily cooked by me, I hasten to add - although my ‘standards’ well and truly dropped when my youngest came along and turned his nose up at every bloody thing. No more did I raise an eyebrow at a toddler eating cheesy Quavers for breakfast because it was probably DS2! Everyone's is doing their best/what suits their lifestyle. Leave them to it.

Bullshit would an 8 and 10 year old eat pouches.

Try harder.

Now that's a life hack I can get on board with!

Fuck - I’m in hospital multiple times a year most years for various serious operations, and I have never yet had access to a kitchen to prep food for my child. I’m obviously being a lazy parent who doesn’t give a fuck about their child.

The NHS must be fucking amazing if they provide kitchens for patients recovering from major surgery to cook for their children!

I used them occasionally when I was out and about when my DC were weaning, and jars too. At home they got homemade meals. Small portions of home made purées don’t stay cold enough for long enough to use if you are away overnight, or even on a hot summer day in the car.

For what it’s worth, people should mind their own business about what other parents feed their children

I disagree. We have record numbers of kids with cavities and obese kids. There should be more interference if anything.

Meh. If you don’t want your own children to eat them then fine but why do you care what other parents give their kids?

My DD loves the fruit pouches when we are out and about and guess what she is thriving!

I use pouches for my 4 year old when we are out and about for the day, I also sometimes send them into school for lunch because they don't need reheating or storing in a fridge. At home, I blend whatever we are having but that isn't always possible when we are out and about. He is entirely fed by tube and commercial pouches have a good shelf life, they don't need to be chilled when we are out for the day unlike the food I blend for him. My alternative is prescription milks with unpronounceable ingredients, I know which I would prefer to use.

OP: is the pouch-feeding the only way you could get one over on other mums?

I see your spork and raise you a pair of chopsticks.

Oh FGS! If you lived in terrible accommodation, with few facilities and couldn’t afford to waste money on energy cooking fresh food that may be refused, what would you do? Fruit and vegetable pouches and jars are a perfect option for people who are very short of time and funds but want to wean with a reasonable diet.

Think outside of your bubble and have a strong word with yourself.

I care about my own DC’s - other people can care about their own. DC’s had dozens of jars and pouches but no dental fillings and neither have any weight issues.

I know this meme is about milk but still applies.

Home cooked fresh meals vs. Pouches/jars

... they all end up eating food off the food or mud in the park!

. I thought it was a typo for ponchos

Not sure I am on board with feeding rats to kids.

Some of these posts! Honestly!
Yes it’s supremely lazy and terrible parenting to feed children with anything you haven’t hand made from scratch with veg you’ve grown in your own garden and meat from animals you’ve reared from birth. I imagine they are the same lazy slobs who use disposable nappies and washing machines when it’s so easy and better for your clothes to hand wash everything. What is the world coming to?!

Wish I had the time and headspace to even notice what other parents do, let alone spend so much time pearl clutching about trivial matters.

But being kept very busy as parent-carer to a child of complex needs if I ever do get such free time again I'll be sure not to waste it with such nonsense

I thought they were great for my DGD, until I read an article about the mold and stuff that had been found in many of the brands. That ended any having that stuff around.

100%

We're all the perfect parent before we have kids. I cringe now at the things 'I would never' before I had kids

This

How about you mind your business! Don't be a mum that judges other mums.