Too much salt, 3 year old DS

[bumpysleighridejack]

Ok I'm in hospital at the moment with DS 2 whose only 3 days old so probably rather emotional and could do with an outside opinion before I see DH later. He's looking after DS1 (3 y/o) at the mo, DH doesn't really cook and isn't used to providing meals for DS. Last night I said take DS to the hospital cafe for a 'treat' meal of sausage, chips and beans (his favourite.) today before coming into hospital DH said can I take him for a roast? The house is bursting with food but of course I said he'll love that but make sure he eats his veg. DH just sent new a picture of DS with an adults size plate of chips, beans 2 sausage and bacon. Just last Sunday DH took him for maccas breakfast whilst I was in hospital and he was later unwell cos his little body couldn't process it. He's also taken him out for sausage rolls and sandwiches this last week.

I know it's short term to just get thru me being in hospital but I'm just so upset seeing that food in front of my little boy today. I'll be back to feeding him soon but he's getting more and more picky and I worry DHs diet is rubbing off on him. (By contrast I'm veggie and don't eat much processed food. I'm not strict but think it should be treat food.)

Thoughts? I've let DH know I'm upset now which I shouldn't of done and feel like I've over reacted.

Aww you’re 3 days post-birth! I think if there’s any time to be pissed off about anything and everything it will be now!

You know it won’t cause your ds any harm, and you probably have overreacted a little, but PLEASE do not beat yourself up about it. I cried 3 days post-birth because my mum put the wrong coloured socks on dd. Proper sobbing and distraught. Hormones are bonkers.

Congrats on your newborn! And everything will be back to it’s normal healthy self soon

Yes I know your right, DH is a great dad just clueless about nutrition. I think looking after 1 poorly baby is making me panic about the other!

It won't do him any harm for a few days.
Try not to worry.

Congrats. It is annoying though isn’t it that he can’t just feed his son well and see that as part of looking after him. It is of course easier to feed your kid crap than make the effort to cook something healthy and you put that effort in day in day out whilst you were pregnant too and he can’t do it for a week? you’ve already said it’s doing your wee boy harm as he couldn’t process what he had last week and had upset tummy. Also, as you say it’s not just the physical it’s trying to reach a lesson of eating well as a daily routine, that junk isn’t a big treat etc. My husband doesn’t eat very well and I am concerned it will affect our children too.

It depends on overall frequency I think. As has been said on here before, we all need or fancy a shortcut sometimes with kids: eat out, let them watch telly, skip a bath, have some choc so you get peace etc. You don’t want to rely on the shortcuts too often so you spread them out and if one parent is always using them the other inevitably doesn’t feel they can so they’re having a harder time of it. If it’s a one off fine, maybe especially as treat as mum isn’t around, but if he’s always doing it then maybe time to have a word, when you have time. Look after yourself.

Maybe once you’re feeling more yourself it would be good to chat about healthy children’s diets - Does he go to nursery or anywhere where they’ve got a menu you could use as an example? Also for portion sizes at that age I just halved an adult portion but added more veg. I also hid veg by cutting it up small for tomato sauces. Good luck with your new baby, it’s important to look after yourself too.

I’m afraid I have to agreee with @mustardScreams, a few days of awful food won’t do any damage at all, in fact it may do some good as your dh will realise how much time and effort you put into feeding your ds well.
Also, three days post partum is the beginning of peak hormones, My dh didn’t have any paternity leave when I had my second so went back to work in another country on my third day, I cried like the world was ending.
On the bright side It’s great that your ds is eating, happy with his dad and not missing you too much.

My mum fed DS fish fingers, pesto pasta, cucumber and tomato for 4 days straight whilst I was in hospital having DD. I was more annoyed that I then couldn’t give him that as an easy dinner for the rest of the week. Congratulations on your new baby

Thanks everyone, I feel much calmer just writing it down. I know it's hard on DS not having mummy around so at least he's distracted and enjoying time with daddy. I do also like treating DS, but it's more going to cafe and sharing a cookie, or he'll have the kids lunches with a sandwich, fruit, yogurt etc. DS thinks this is just as exciting! In time I will try and teach DH how to cook for the DC, he works away for extended periods which is why I'm main caregiver, but he's never learned to cook and that would be a good thing to role model to the DC. Yes DS1 goes to nursery and he eats a good balanced meal there so he'll be eating well this week whilst I recover (hopefully!) at home with the baby. (And my family have stocked our fridge for us! Hurrah!)