A cracker isn't an appropriate food for weaning

[OneVividOliveFatball]

Mother in law is looking after baby this week whilst I recover from a tooth infection and I'm on a drip in hospital. Husband is of course overseas working. She's sent me a picture of the baby holding a cracker. Baby has just turned six months. She's an ex nursery nurse!

@MMinervaMcGonagallsCat not true. Not at all what Gill Rapley or any other BLW expert would advise.

I'm sure the child's father is welcome to come back to look after his child and carry out proper baby led weaning procedures if he wants to.

Or just weaning as we used to say

Crackers and breadsticks are fine

Mind-blowing that posters will double down on advice that could increase choking risk.

PS get well soon OP ❤️

A cracker is fine. Babies suck them usually.

Babies this ages can eat pretty much anything other than honey and nuts.

Take a deep breath. It just be really hard being away from your baby.

Why can't your husband come home?

It's fine

https://www.nhs.uk/start-for-life/baby/recipes-and-meal-ideas/beanie-dip-with-breadsticks/

Just one example, cant be bothered to find any more.

From the Solid Starts website -

It depends on the type. Because crackers are common choking hazards and tend to contain high amounts of sodium, it is best to wait until after the first birthday to share soft crackers (styles that melt in the mouth or easily crumble when gently pressed like Ritz crackers water biscuits, among others). Hard, brittle, or sharp crackers should be reserved for when a child has more advanced eating skills, typically around 24 months of age. Before serving any cracker to a baby or toddler, first make sure it is not stale, as the consistency of stale crackers can heighten the choking risk.

Some think they’re fine for weaning others don’t. I personally would wait.

A cracker is absolutely fine as part of a varied diet.
get well soon💐

Mine loved crackers

Absolutely shocking 😲 so many are completely dismissive of OPs worry and think she should be grateful for the mil childminding. I'm sure she is but not if the child is at risk of choking. I presume none of these people have had babies recently.

MIL is taking care of a direct descendant in a state of medical emergency.

That is not a "huge favour", it's what families are there for.

Like the families should be there when this MIL needs help herself.

In the meantime, OP, a cracker is fine, chill.

I was So Precious with dc1. Made organic vegetable purées and froze them in ice cube trays. All sorts of rules about what he could eat when.

dc3’s first solid food was a chocolate brownie she grabbed off my plate at just under 6 months. We then let her try pretty much anything anyone else was eating, provided it wasn’t a choking hazard.

OP crackers are fine. Having your dc see people enjoying food and allowing him to try stuff is fine.

But depending on the type of cracker, it is a choking hazard.

As a veteran of this parenting lark, yes agree, there’s an increased risk of choking. But if the baby is supervised (as this one clearly is because the grandparent is there taking a picture) then we’re talking a teeny tiny risk increase. Odds are it’s gummed to death and baby is having a jolly good time. It’s one cracker. Your teenager will be mainlining Prime.

And for those that said “why is dad not there” then perhaps if grandparent offered to take baby so that dad has more leave free when mum is out of hospital then it’s a better option?

@Tiredalwaystired your logic is very confusing. Sure my kids might drink caffeine and sugar when they are teens. Doesn't mean I want them to choke to death before they get there.

@YellowHairband "Not the point of the thread I know but what does your husband do for work? He has a 6 month old baby and a wife who's been hospitalised - why can't he come home?"

Presumably because there are other family members happy to help out!

Has anyone actually looked up the statistics for deaths caused by or involving choking on food in babies and young children?

https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/birthsdeathsandmarriages/deaths/adhocs/1438deathsduetoandinvolvingchokingbysexandagegroupenglandandwales2018to2022

Here is the filtered Table 3 to include <1 year olds and 1-4 year olds.

I'm not saying choking on food isn't a worry, but the chance that your child will die from it is very, very small.

OP is it your first baby lovely?
Try to relax, they’re not made of glass.
I remember I was the same with my son.
You’ll soon get in to the swing of things.

Wow!! MILs really do get a shit ride on this site!!

"I'm feeling terrible and im in hospital and my mil has very kindly stepped up for an entire week, fed my child, keeping a close eye on them but I must slag her off because she's given said child a cracker!"

OP, it's a cracker, not crack!

My logic is that getting your knickers in a twist over an infintinitely tiny risk when your child is being closely watched by an adult is nothing compared to what they’ll eat and drink out of your eyesight in a few years. But you knew that.