After another mom made her feel guilty about giving her baby fast food after her swimming lessons, the internet supported her.
She shared her experience in a Mumsnet posting last Sunday under the username Benji4ever. It explained that she takes her 18-month old son and her 3-year-old daughter swimming twice a week and stops at McDonald’s on the way back.
Recently, however, as she was serving her baby chips (fries) from her happy meal for three-year-old, another mom gave her one of those looks, prompting her to question the community about her actions.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advise that babies can begin eating solid food at 6 months of age if they are developmentally ready. This means they can move food from their mouth to their stomach.
When the baby turns 7 or 8, they will be able to eat a variety of foods, including infant cereals and meats or other protein sources, as well as fruits and vegetables, yogurts, cheeses, and many more.
Parents should avoid giving their baby foods that are high-sodium (salt) and, according to WebMD, babies should be given fries only rarely if they’re allowed to.
She continued her post by saying that the baby gets fries twice a month, that the toddler gets happy meals, and that her baby regularly drinks diluted juice.
One user commented, “It’s fine. The sugar would be a concern, but occasional happy meals are acceptable.
Another said, “A few fries.” [aren’t] It’s going to hurt, and people have done worse for their 18-month old child before. To pacify 6-month-olds, I recall them being given milky bar chocolate. What matters is that your kid is getting enough food.
Another wrote: “Mine has been eating McDonald’s from about age five. She eats it in the car, when she wouldn’t have the option to eat a normal meal. It doesn’t matter if it’s only occasionally, but it’s not as bad as eating chicken nuggets from the supermarket which most people won’t even notice. It is possible to disagree with the juice as they may refuse water.
Another added, “At 18 months they could handle chicken nuggets too!” “I don’t believe a few fries is an issue.”
Newsweek couldn’t verify the facts of the case.
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