This can't be good, surely?

Question

I have recently been to visit my best friend and her six month old son, my god son. They don't live near me so i don't get to see them that often. i was shocked at what she was feeding him. between bottles i saw her give him a piece of chocolate, some Quavers (chips), half a biscuit and ice cream, all throughout the day. In the evening she gave him a cheap brand of adult irish stew, mashed up. I was horrified at all the salt, sugar etc going into him. He was up screaming all night and the poor little thing was destressed. His teeth are coming through but Im convinced he had stomach ache. I do not have children and am pregnant with my first. am I right to be concerned or is it normal to give a six month child all that junk?

I tried to say something but she just jumps down my throat, saying this is her second child and she knows what she is doing. I really don't know what to do

Answer 1

Yes, you have a right to be concerned. That is not a normal or good diet for a 6 month old. Most of his nutrients should still be coming from formula or breast milk. He is old enough to begin solids. He does not need to be given commercially prepared baby food, but what he does get should be healthy. Mashed up sweet potato, steamed carrots, or squash are good first foods if she doesn't want to feed him jarred baby food. Mashed banana, canned pears, and no sugar added applesauce are good, too. Infant rice cereal is suggested as a first food because of its low risk of allergic reaction and is easily digested. Food at his age is strictly for supplementation to his formula or breast milk and not intended to replace them yet. While your godson's diet is of concern to you, it may be difficult to mention this to your best friend without offending her. Depending on your relationship, you may be able to approach her in a non-accusatory way and say something about your concern.

Answer 2

It's fine to give him tastes of things such as a small (very small!) bit of ice cream or maybe a tiny piece of biscuit, but you never give a 6 month old chocolate or chips.

Giving an infant more than just a "taste" of something can upset their stomach--especially the things she was giving him. There is milk in ice cream and it's recommended that you wait until a child is 1 yr. old before giving them dairy. Infants can't properly digest milk, and that is probably why his stomach was upset (and yes, it probably was a stomach ache).

You need to have a talk with your friend about what she's doing. Everytime she's giving her son those things she's putting him at great risk for stomach aches, allergic reactions, and even choking.

Answer 3

well first of all, yes this isnt the greates thing to introduce a child to at such a young age, alhtough my 6 month old gets mash potatoes, mac and cheese.... but only a little bit to nibbleon while i mak ehis bottle if hes screaming and im out somewhere eating... although trying new foods is great for baby, sometimes the things being fed to them arent right for thier age. if they dont hav teeth yet, they probably shouldn t have solids. now, since this isnt your child, you can have an opinion but if your friend has already told you to stay out of it there is nothing to do but sit back...if you have hiim smetimes, just give him babyfood... but otherwise, you cant say or do too much.

Answer 4

At 6 months old they should just now be sampling cereal and baby food. The poor baby probably did have an upset stomach. I can't believe she gave her little one all of that. Imagine what he's being fed when you're not there. Scary. I would send her a cook book for baby food. Maybe she'll get the hint

Answer 5

I didnt start feeding my child adult food until he was about a year! And then I introduced it little by little! however I do agree with you that the baby is getting way too much sugar and salt in his diet..not good for a 6 month old! He should be relying on his formula and baby food for his nutrients!

Answer 6

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Answer 7

Not normal at all for a 6th month old. A lot of that shouldn't even be given to toddlers, though in this day and age I know many toddlers get it.

With parents teaching eating habits like that, no wonder children keep getting more and more overweight

Answer 8

when my kids were 6 mon old i gave them tastes of real food but only little ones and only very bland things.like mashed potatos.but only once in a while.my kids were fine!but large amounts of chocolate and salty things cant be that good for a little baby like that.but like she said it is her child and all you can do is learn from her and not do the same thing.

Answer 9

I doubt he had a stomach ache if that's what she normally feeds him. I do agree that she should be more careful as to what she feeds him, but youcan only gently suggest this as this is not your child.

It's sad, but most people don't eat very healthy and they pass that on to their kids...

Answer 10

I would agree that's it's not good. I bet the poor child did have a tummy ache.