Baby too young?

Question

I ask this on behalf of my sister, as I have no children and no in-laws to worry about (thank God!). My sister has been going rounds with her mother-in-law about what is best for my niece. The mother-in-law insists that she knows best since she's had two children, whereas my sister feels that she is doing a fine job herself in parenting (this makes her second child as well); always reading parenting magazines and books, following the suggestions of her daughter's pediatrician, etc. I guess the mother-in-law believes that if her two kids didn't die over "certain things" than my niece won't either.

Now, I don't really know the first thing about child-rearing, but I couldn't imagine that Pepsi and caffeinated/carbonated beverages would be exactly healthy for an infant. My niece is eight months old and my sister's mother-in-law is always trying to give my niece Pepsi and soda in her bottles whenever she stays at her house.

From what my sister says, her mother-in-law has been trying to do this since my niece was 3 or 4 months old. I would assume that this would contribute to potential tooth decay, as my niece is just starting to cut teeth.

My sister's mother-in-law also gives my niece jello water frequently, sometimes straight Kool-Aid, and my sister said that she's allowed her mother-in-law to watch her daughter, finding whole cookies in the baby's car seat and playpen when she's picked her daughter up. My niece is just starting to cut teeth, so isn't it a little early to be starting her out on these types of snacks?

Maybe I'm all wrong here, but I'd appreciate some experienced mothers here to shed some light on something I know virtually nothing about. Thanks in advance!

Answer 1

I thought this was going to go in a different direction.

Eating too much sugar before age three can increase a childs probability of having diabetes later in life by 33%. Beyond that, in an infant its a horrible waste of calories. At that age its so hard to get all the needed nutrients into them because their tummies are so tiny and they cannot eat a wide variety of things. Stuffing them full of soda and cookies takes away from their ability to grow and develop and have the nutrients they need for those things.

Beyond all that, a whole cookie is a lot for a baby to get around, and waaaay too easy to choke on. I teething cookie or home made zwiebak might be different, but a regular cookie is just too dangerous.

I dont agree with the MIL at all, on any level here. Iam a firm believer that doctors and magazines are poor tools for parenting (unless a child is obviously broken or losing the battle with some sickness, or your sooo incredibly stupid about kids.) but in this case I also thing her MIL is a much worse source of information.

Answer 2

Way Way too young! All the sugar and caffeine can't be good for a baby. In general carbonated beverages are not a fabulous idea for anyone (empty calories and all that), but I'm pretty sure they're even worse for an infant.

Sodas can cause acid reflux, from the gases built up in the stomach pushing on the esophagus muscles, eventually weakening the muscles. Carbonation can also leach calcium from bones. My track coach in high school wouldn't let us drink anything carbonated during the season for that reason. I think the later you introduce junk food of any kind, the better off you'll be.

You're sister's monther-in-law needs to back off and let your sister be the mother and raise her kids soda-free.

Answer 3

You do not need to be a rocket scientist to know that sugar is not good for children. Soda, cool aid etc is no good. This child is not only going to have rotten teeth but will be bouncing off the walls. Her mother in law is a moron. Also did anyone notice most schools no longer have soda. There is a reason for that.

Tell your sister she is the mother and if her mother in law is that stupid she should not be watching her baby.

Answer 4

Your sis's MIL is a control freak and she is starting a trend that will affect your niece's health and overall well being for the rest of her life. She is putting your niece on the fast track to childhood obesity and diabetes, as well as rotting her teeth before she even gets them. The worst thing is that your niece will get used to eating that crap and you won't be able to get her to eat real, nutritious food.

The MIL needs to respect your sister's wishes. If your sister does not want her child to be fed these items, MIL should respect that. If she doesn't, then maybe she needs to have restricted or supervised visits with your niece to be sure that your sisters wishes for her own daughter are met.

Personal opinion: Your sis's MIL is stuck in the mindset of "I did this with my kids and they are alive and kicking." What she doesn't understand is there is sooooo much info out there now, that wasn't when she was raising her kids, that proves that those kind of snacks are severly damaging to the overall health and well being of everyone, children included.

Someone needs to hit her with a "common sense" stick.

Answer 5

Caffeine for an infant???! Forget tooth decay - how about death? Caffeine can dehydrate a baby, and cause heart problems! Your sister is right. Furthermore, SHE is the mother of this baby. She needs to keep standing up to her MIL. She makes the rules, not Grandma. If Grandma can't respect that, she shouldn't be allowed around the baby - simple as that. It sounds cruel, but it's the only way to keep her from causing problems for the next 18 years. Where is your brother - in - law in this? He needs to back up the mother of his child and tell his mom to butt out.

Answer 6

Way too early! Personally, I will not allow my child to have soda for a long time. The caffeine and the sugar are both terrible. Cookies? Does the MIL have any idea how bad those are? Especially for an infant? Gah! This is one reason why my MIL is not allowed to watch my son until he's way older.

He is 8 months, as well, and I don't trust her as far as I can throw her. Since day one, she's been on me about feeding him all sorts of solid foods, not respecting my desire to wait until six months. Since he hit six months, she was trying to feed him ice cream, cake, cookies, chocolate, etc. No way! Thankfully, hubby agrees whole-heartedly about my decisions and defends my choices to my in-laws. Tell your sister to stand her ground. It's HER child, not her MIL. Also, try what we did... Tell your sister to tell MIL that if she can't respect her parenting choices, she is forfeiting her right to see the baby. It worked well for us. MIL shut up and started acting better very quickly.

Answer 7

A child should not be drinking soda, especially in a bottle. You sisters MIL sounds crazy. I would not let her give the baby soda. It will cause tooth decay along with other possible problems. It's not good for adults let alone children.

Answer 8

Way Way to early, I don't think she should allow her child to stay there anymore unless her mother in law stops this behavior. I believe your sister has every right to demand her infant not to be given those items. Pepsi in a bottle is the craziest thing I have ever heard of, and extremely unhealthy.

Answer 9

When your neice has a mouthful of rotten teeth and is as hyper as all get out maybe your sister will stand up to her MIL. This is very wrong.

Answer 10

if I were your sister and I had had a talk with the MIL and told her that I do not want my daughter having these things and the MIL still does it..then it is time for the MIL to have limited access to grandchild...Sorry to say that..but the MIL needs to respect her DIL's wishes..even my own mother respects my wishes and I KNOW how she raised us....sorry your sister needs to be firm but kind and nip it in the bud now..or she will always have problems that is her daughter not her MIL's