They gave him juice!?

Question

Yesterday I was out for like 10 minutes to run an errant and when I got back, I saw an empty juice bottle!! My family decided my 10 week old son looked thirsty and gave him some of my niece's juice! This is the second time they've done this, after I've told them not to! They gave him 60 ml (about 2 oz) of the stuff! They said they diluted it, so it's "ok"...

They also love to give him 'tastes' of food. The other day I found my sister trying to force him to lick a cheese curl! When I ask them not to do it, they tell me not to 'be like that'. Like I'm being difficult or a b*tch.

I am at my wit's end here... They're ALL like that. They say, "well so and so's baby got this and that at this age and s/he's fine". In my opinion So and So needs some training if they gave a 10wk old chips!!

I can't keep the baby away from them, but obviously I can't trust them either! What to do?

This is not about me being a 'spaz' for letting them give him tastes. The other day, I caught my father in law just before he gave my son a pacifier coated honey!! Isn't honey really dangerous? They mean well, I'm sure, but I also have to look out for my son. He's got reflux already, and can't handle all this different kinds of things being shoved down his throat. He was sooooo sick yesterday from the juice, he even threw up after I nursed him an hour later.

Answer 1

My Mom and Dad are the same way. They let my daughter taste everything that doesnt have to be chewed. They have even started giving her sweet tea! It drives me insane.

I constantly ask them to stop but they dont listen. All I hear is "we gave these things to you and you turned out fine!". I am not sure what you can do. I understand that no matter how many times you say something, they arent going to listen. And you cant be there 24/7. My Mom will do it while I am in the shower or something!

Just keep repeating yourself. Thats what I do. I'll say it til I'm blue in the face. I feel like a b*tch when I say it too...but I just try to remember that it is my childs health that is in consideration here. When I remind myself that I am looking out for her best interest, it makes it a little easier.

Good luck..to the both of us!

Answer 2

Just a heads up on what might happen:

Even though you don't agree with what they're doing, don't push them too far away. You need them in your life, so try your best to keep reminding them that you'd appreciate it if they follow your request...I'm mean, after all, it is YOUR baby, not theirs!

The juice will not hurt your baby...the only thing it may do is cause him/her to use the bathroom a little bit more harshly, but it's not dangerous. (as long as it was diluted).

The whole tasting a cheeto thing I really don't understand. I'm not sure why anyone would even think to try and have a 10 week old do that.

Anyways....just "try" to be patient, and realize that evne though it is your baby, others feel as though they know best. It's human nature to try and tell molthers what best for their baby....even if it's just something they heard someone else did with their kid.

PATIENCE!! :-)

Good luck!

Answer 3

Don't leave your child alone with them if they are not going to respect your parenting wishes. Tell them that he is your child and you have the only say in his care (and his dad if he is there) Tell them they can do what they want with their own children but they do not get to vito mommy rule. My family was the same way until I went completely off on them for giving my 2 year old (at the time) an entire large bag of M&Ms when she was with them alone for 4 hours.

Answer 4

If I were in your situation, I would tell them that since you already told them not to do that kind of thing when you leave him alone with them and they continually disrespect your wishes, tell them that you are going to keep your son away from them for a while. Show to them that you are serious. He is your son and you have every right to be upset and take him away from them. And obviously, they are doing something that is really not good for his health. It's not just a personal issue, it's a safety issue. Good luck.

Answer 5

Since it's your child they need to respect your decisions on how to raise the child. Personally, I don't think a 10 week old needs juice or chips quite yet so I understand where you are coming from. Just let them know that you aren't comfortable with them feeding that to your baby and you wish they'd respect your decisions.

Answer 6

Tell them once again what the pediatrician says your child may have to eat and drink. If they try to give you an argument, there is only one thing you can do. You can not allow your baby to stay with these family members unsupervised. Your baby's health and well-being comes first. Good luck.

Answer 7

i had this problem a few times with my family when my kids were babies. just tell them that the doctor advises against giving them these things at this age because it is going to make it difficult to start them out on healthy foods. which is true. when you start giving solids-you start with the bland cereals and then move into veggies and lastly fruits. this way the baby doesn't develop a taste for sweeter things and never want to eat the more healthy things. tell them they are sabotaging the chances of your baby developing a healthy eating habit.

Answer 8

Oh my god...poor you. My sister's mother in law is like this too...when her daughter was 4 months old, Grandma 'snuck' her some cake and ice cream when Mommy wasn't looking.

My sister just had to get really firm and lay down the law..."This is my daughter, and I don't want her exposed to unnecessary foods until she's a lot older. I'm sorry if you don't like it, but that's just how it's going to be." MIL was ticked off, but she got over it. When it came time to let my niece try some 'treats', my sister let her MIL do it...then the MIL was all happy...

Some people just don't listen...

You're not being difficult or a b*tch, as you said...you're being a good mom. Keep it up! :)

Answer 9

My children were soley breastfed until they were 8 months and my family tried this. My mother in law actually tried to give one of my kids chocolate ice cream when she was around 3 weeks old. I firmly took the baby from her arms and told her "I am the mother. I make the decision what she/he needs to eat." when given the "my baby had this and they're fine" argument you simply tell them "well thats fine. That was your baby and you were free to do it but this is my baby and if I find you giving him/her things I do not wish for it to have then I will not be allowed to leave the child alone with you again" Yes you CAN keep the baby away from them until they realize they are putting your child at risk for food allergies and they are also exposing your child to choking hazards.

Answer 10

Your child, your rules apply. You'll just have to lay down the law with them about what will and will not be entering your baby's mouth. be sure to nip it in the butt now. Do so in no uncertain terms.

When my first child was born I let my in-laws "teach" him to suck his thumb. Now that he is 8 years old he subconsciously sucks his finger and will need braces. All of his teeth are coming wrong due to the extensive finger sucking.
I'm currently pregnat with #4 and they are already nagging at me about not putting the kids' fingers in their mouth. I started laying down the law on that one when we no longer lived in the in-law's house.
p.s. juice shouldn't be introduced to a baby's digestive system until at least 6 months of age.