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Original poster

Am I being over-controlling and silly about this?

38 replies

Flossam · 28/05/2005 20:57

I started weaning DS about a month and a half ago. I am staunchily refusing to give him sugar. I check all his foods to ensure none is added. He does have fruit purees and juices, but this is obviously natural sugars, and again I wouldn't buy any with any added. I was happy with this, I feel that I'm doing the best I can for DS, but my friend is really questioning me on it and I just wondered if anyone else feels the same way I do. Basically, he dosen't need the sugar, it's not good for him and he dosen't know any different!

OP posts:
emily05 · 28/05/2005 21:01

I think that you are doing the right thing. I did this with ds. sod what yor friend thinks.

I used to get grief off of my mum, but this is the woman who used to dip our dummies in honey or sugar

beansontoast · 28/05/2005 21:04

im sorta with you,as in avoid extra sugar where you can.
however with retrospect id say lighten up a bit cos its not that important if the rest of his diet is on the healthy side.
also,there can be loads of sugar in dried fruit etc that natural or otherwise amounts to the sane thing.

[im bored..my dp is pissing me off..hgope i dont sound too bossy..latent bad mood]omg just been told to get off mn

Original poster
Flossam · 28/05/2005 21:05

Well my friend was telling me a story about her dad, which involved him giving her child a chocolate lolly, which the child ate the whole lot of. That wasn't what she was upset about! He's only 6 months.

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hercules · 28/05/2005 21:06

I avoided sugar until 1 and then I'm not overly fussy although never give any thing to drink other than water or milk.

emily05 · 28/05/2005 21:07

there i splenty of time for them to experience all this 'goodies' - alot of which are addictive. Stick to your guns. I gave ds his first mcdonalds last week (he is nearly 3) and I wish I hadnt - he hasnt stopped going on about 'eckdonalds' - as he calls it!

Original poster
Flossam · 28/05/2005 21:07

Thats the point though isn't it BonT? I can avoid it at the mo, I don't really stress about it, just don't buy the jars or make the food with any sugar in it. Having said that I think I would feel happier making it, as I could see how much was going in. In jars you just don't really know do you?

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BubblesDeVere · 28/05/2005 21:07

Flossam just ask yourself these questions,

Is your ds the right weight for his age?
Is your ds healthy?
Is your ds coming on in leaps and bounds?
Is your ds happy?
Is your ds happy when he is eating his dinners?

If the answer is yes to all then I wouldn't bother what other people say, as long as he is healthy and happy there is nothing to worry about.

hoxtonchick · 28/05/2005 21:08

you're doing the right thing. tell your friend to bugger off. has she got children?

Original poster
Flossam · 28/05/2005 21:10

Hercules, those were the kind of lines I was hoping of going down. Then to lighten up a little. DS used to refuse all drinks but juice, and was really constipated. But in the last few days he has developed a real taste for water with the hot weather so hopefully thats all he will have (apart from milk) from now on.

My mum didn't give me anything sweet and so far I have no fillings. Maybe coincidence but its a coincidence I wouldn't mind repeating!

OP posts:
Original poster
Flossam · 28/05/2005 21:11

HC, yes her baby is the same age. No she just made it plain she thought I was way over the top,and like these things do, they make you paranoid! Bubbles, DS is plenty big enough!! And he loves his food and so far has been a dream to wean.

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Bozza · 28/05/2005 21:19

Flossam - FWIW I think you are doing the right thing. And I did the same with DS and as far as possible with DD. Although its been harder the last couple of months (she just turned one) now that she has got more knowing because of having DS around.

Original poster
Flossam · 28/05/2005 21:35

Thanks everyone. My faith in myself is a little more restored now!

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katzguk · 28/05/2005 21:38

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NotQuiteCockney · 28/05/2005 21:40

Oh, Flossam, I'm the same as you on this. I didn't let DS1 have anything with added sugar when he was tiny. I even avoided things sweetened with apple juice, as that's pretty much the same thing (yes, it's "natural" sugar, but then all our sugar comes from plants).

DS1 had (and has) a strong sweet tooth. I don't think this is result of not having sugar, it's just how he is - like many others. I still watch his sugar intake, and he's almost 4! He doesn't get dried fruit in unlimited amounts, and when he gets sweetened yogurt, I mix it with plain yogurt.

Weirdly, DS2 doesn't like food on spoons, even if sweet - I have tried giving him some of DS1's yogurt, and he wasn't interested.

NotQuiteCockney · 28/05/2005 21:40

Oh, Flossam, I'm the same as you on this. I didn't let DS1 have anything with added sugar when he was tiny. I even avoided things sweetened with apple juice, as that's pretty much the same thing (yes, it's "natural" sugar, but then all our sugar comes from plants).

DS1 had (and has) a strong sweet tooth. I don't think this is result of not having sugar, it's just how he is - like many others. I still watch his sugar intake, and he's almost 4! He doesn't get dried fruit in unlimited amounts, and when he gets sweetened yogurt, I mix it with plain yogurt.

Weirdly, DS2 doesn't like food on spoons, even if sweet - I have tried giving him some of DS1's yogurt, and he wasn't interested.

katzguk · 28/05/2005 21:41

also agree on the sugar front, DD now 2.5 will only drink water, milk and apple juice, she doesn't like squash. She has her porriage made without any added sugar and adores fruit and will only have a few licks of a sweet lolly before handing it back saying no thanks!

I work in a dental hospital and have seen the adverse side of too much sugar and have to say good for you and stick to your guns, your children will thankyou as will the people i work with.

Donbean · 28/05/2005 21:48

OH GOD NO! You are definitely not bieng over controlling on this in the slightest.
Stick to your guns and DO not be swayed with what you feel is right.
Im exactly the same as you. BUT adamant and gobby with it!
People just dont go there with the food and drink issue because i am ready for them.

Original poster
Flossam · 28/05/2005 21:52

Now we've moved and settled in I'm cooking food again but during the move I was buying jars. The choice was limited without sugar and also because I was just sticking to veg to start with. Introducing some dairy atm, and will introduce chicken in a couple of weeks. DS only has organic (apart from once when DP found a jar that came free in my bounty box!). I have anaphalactic shock and hayfever, both DP and I get athsma and both had excema as a child. I really want to wean 'right' and was so dissapointed when I didn't make it to six months.

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Donbean · 28/05/2005 21:57

You do right not to compromise what you feel is right for you and ds.
You dont owe any one any explanations on what you feed your precious child.
Get hard about this, tell your friend you are doing things this way........END OF......

Original poster
Flossam · 28/05/2005 21:58

Thanks Donbean!

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bobbybob · 28/05/2005 22:01

I listened to another woman at a mother's group say that children would not grow up "normal" unless they had children's food, and that it was cruel to not give your child juice and sweeties. I just thought "oh dear" and got on with my day. Her ds was eating a bright blue confection at the time.

My day involves checking labels for allergens, and since I am doing this anyway, I also check for preservatives and will always choose the cracker etc. that doesn't have any over the one that does. I guess you are doing the same thing with sugar having read your last message.

It's pracitcally impossible to be allergic to white refined sugar - so if you are having to avoid other things, then I would get more flexible about sugar as he gets older. As long as a child has a good diet, plenty of exercise and teeth cleaning sugar isn't so much of a baddie - it's the other things in sugar laden food.

Donbean · 28/05/2005 22:03

HTH.
Its just that i feel very strongly about this subject because of all the comments ive had from people.
Are you not surprised by peoples attitudes regarding this subject?

Original poster
Flossam · 28/05/2005 22:05

BB, its not that I'm worried about him being allergic to sugar. Just that he dosen't know it exists and dosen't need it so for the time being I intend not to give it. I plan to become more flexible as he gets older with things. We may have to work around allergies, as you say. Hope not though.

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Original poster
Flossam · 28/05/2005 22:07

Yes I am Donbean. I feel like I say I feel in the title really. Think perhaps DP does as well at times. I just tell him I have read the book and if he would like to read it too, then he can have an opinion!! That seems to keep him quiet. This is the man who thought our baby with and EDD of 23rd of Nov, would be having a pureed xmas dinner that year. need I say more.

OP posts:
Donbean · 28/05/2005 22:16

I am still strict about ds's intake and he is 23 months.
I send food with him when he goes to the MIL and asked her not to give him any thing other than what i had send. She was okish about this but quickly got used to it.
I am the same about routine as well. God i sound like a right arse dont i but it is important to me.
I dont buy juice of any description, ds (and we) only has water or milk.
The comments i have got have left even me speachless!!!