10 month old eating Candy...

Evelyn - posted on 05/08/2013

I think that's crazy to give a young child candy like that. especially with all the dyes and garbage in them these days. but I agree, different house diffhimerent rules. My husband is a huge junk food eater and is over weight, so I worry that he's going to give it son the same things he eats. I try so hard to get him to eat right, but you can only lead a horse to water. I'm not perfect though. I could t lose a few lbs myself. that's why with child obesity on the rise, you have to control what they eat. it all starts with the parents. you give them junk now, they think it's normal.
my question is for Tyrae. my 10 month old is still breast fed, but doesn't sleep through the night. he wakes up 4-5 times a night. I even tried weaning him and sleep training, didn't work. did your child sleep through the night??

Sherri - posted on 06/12/2011

Well I certainly wouldn't do it but I could care less if someone else does it. My rule of thumb different rules different houses.

Jessi - posted on 06/12/2011

it's really not your place to say anything but you do have your right to your opinion and yes i feel the same way only i don't see what them being fed and given milk "extremely early" has anything to do with it as my son was started on cereal at 2wks and began whole milk at 6mos once he had tried all cereals and pureed table foods w/o reaction.

i was at a play group and a mom had given her 10mo old daughter an entire can of diet pepsi. first i believe unless you are diabetic you shouldn't be drinking diet soda in the first place and second the little girl couldn't
even walk or talk yet so she's definitely not going to have a clue of what she's putting into her body.

Tyrae - posted on 06/12/2011

I never said the parents were horrible. Actually in one of the posts afterwards I said they seem to be really good parents, and the kids seem healthy and happy. It's just the candy thing got to me. It seems a little much, and I didn't know if I should say anything to them or not. As far as that goes, I probably won't be saying anything. It really isn't any of my business, I may just be one of those overly cautious parents that don't want that kind of stuff in my childs life. Oh, and I for sure will NOT be calling CPS or family services or whatever it is called here in Canada...

My hubby eats a lot of junk food (he's not overweight, which is extremely surprising to me with how much of it he eats!) So it's always in my house. I eat as little as possible. I have some 85% dark chocolate every once in a while, my one weakness! And I know I'm going to find it very difficult to not give my daughter candy when she gets old enough for it because her father ALWAYS has it on him.

Thank you everyone.

Peggy - posted on 06/12/2011

CPS for a child eating candy?... REALLY?... obviously you dont understand what CPS is about! My grandparents were an emergency shelter for children CPS took from parents and they really dont have the time to deal with petty calls about a child eating candy!!

Both my children were started on cereal/foods before the "recommended" age and they were NOT fat overweight babies or kids, both were about 18 lbs at a year old! Matter of fact my oldest one walked at 8 ish months by getting nibbles of Hershey Kisses. My kids now 16 and 8 will eat almost any veggie or fruit. They are not nor have they ever been picky eaters. They are both healthy and almost never get sick... one was formula fed and the other breast fed. I find it funny that people can talk crap about people feeding infants when Pediatricians and WIC (which I find to be a joke) often suggest it! If my Pediatrician had no issues with what I was doing then I would like to know where others seem to think they can criticize because its not what you would do.

As for candy causing cavities... its not the candy its the parents not brushing their kids teeth!! Many kids eat candy and dont have a mouth full of messed up teeth.

I do agree that its not your place to say anything unless they are trying to give your children candy against your wishes.

Ashley=) - posted on 06/12/2011

I agree, given sweets etc for me is not okay.A load of sweets and to the point of tooth decay.Which i have seen.I have heard of kids being put asleep to remove numerous decayed teeth.
Put given some sweets etc is not going to make us call cps.That's crazy.I have seen people force baby food in to there 6weeks babys for Christ sake.I then see them as 3-5mth old and there like huge and full of rolls etc.That's worse to me.I hate to see babys and knowing they do not want this food under 3 months and mom still is shoveling the food in.That's worse for me.Force feeding.lol

Constance - posted on 06/12/2011

I don't agree with giving a baby candy like this. But I also don't believe they are horriable parents either. Everone has their way own doing things and you have to give enough respect that is their child and not yours.

As far as CPS. When someone calls CPS they need to be sure that there is no other option. Just to suggest calling CPS over a few pieces of candy is way over the top and all it will acomplish is a pissed off worker having to go and check out something hat they are going to release immedently. Feedinga 10 mon. old candy is not the best thing but it isn't illegal either.
Telling someone they are being a bad parent over how they have chose to feed their child is going overboard. It is nobody's place to tell anyone how to feed their child. You don't have to agree but they are the parents not you.

Casey - posted on 06/11/2011

I think if a baby is under the age of one then candy shouldn't even be a fleeting thought in the back of the parents mind, the closest thing my son got to candy before the age of one was one of those chocolate coated teddy bear biscuits and even then I wasn't sure he should have it, he didn't have any lollies at all until he was nearly two. As for starting solids at the age of 2 months thats crazy I have a 1 month old baby at the moment and I really can't imagine feeding him solids in another months time his still getting used to drinking from a bottle, sounds like these people are really crazy and honestly it's probably not even worth saying anything to them about it just look the other way cause they really don't give a shit at all.

Stifler's - posted on 06/11/2011

I never gave my kid juice or chocolate or anything until at least 1. He's nearly 17 months now and I still dislike people giving him chocolate and juice and stuff. Seriously calling CPS has been mentioned though? I wouldn't go that far! I would however kindly bring to their attention that hard candy is a choking hazard.

Cynthia - posted on 06/11/2011

seems to me these parents are uneducated about the harmful effects of the sugar. i believe a lot of people are. i agree that giving small kids candy is a bad thing that easily become bad eating habits.
i am guilty of the same thing my son is 6 and he never had sugar at that age, but now he has way too much. i'm actually glad i ran across this post because i need to pay more attention to the sugar he is eating. because its not just small kids, simple sugar is bad for everyone at every age. Thanks for the eye opener here i needed one. it is too easy to give them what makes them happy. i just got lazy.

Maria - posted on 06/11/2011

I honestly dont think its any of your business do i agree with giving a ten month old so much candy, especially hard candy?? No not at all. My baby is ten months and i will say that on occasion my husband will give her a lick of candy just to see her reaction. When i have dessert i have no problem sharing with her as long as she has eaten dinner first. Everyone raises their kids differently some are more laid back doesnt mean they dont care or love their children just means they do things different from you. If i were you i definitely wouldnt approach the matter at all I mean its not like they are abusing their children or anything and maybe it was a one time thing or a special treat/ occasion or something you dont know. I mean my baby will be one next month on the 24th so right now she is 10 months close to eleven and she already is a big girl. Looks like a one year old thats for sure and i have been tempted to just start her on whole milk already! but i havent but soon i will. and i definitely do almost feed her everything i eat. So yea anyways my point is : Let It Go :D

Meagan - posted on 06/11/2011

I think the bad part is the hard candy. Anything that isn't easily dissolved isnt good for a little one. Or easily chewed. My daughter was given candy at a young age, by her grandfather. And when he's in town, every time they go out together, he gets her candy. Does it bother me? Nope. My daughter is underweight, and tends to prefer to eat healthy, which isn't the best combination. (She is being tested to find out why she is underweight, amd right now they are thinking celiac disease.) Because she is so skinny (she's 2 years and almost 2 months old, and weighs a little over 24 lbs), I like when she gets the occasional empty calories. But, the key is occasional. If I have dessert, I let my daughter have some as well. Not a lot, but a little. And honestly, the candy thing that her grandfather does is part of growing up. My grandmother would let me drink her coke when I was a baby, and I ended up perfectly healthy and normal. But, I guess there's a huge difference between grandparents actions and aprents actions. I think most people expect grandparents to slip kids things. XP

Jodi - posted on 06/11/2011

Jane, you start calling CPS on this parent, you have to start calling CPS on the parents who put rice cereal in the bottles of their 2 week olds, the parents who feed their kids McDonalds every week. I mean, really, who made anyone the junk food police? Unless the children are showing signs NOW of being unhealthy, it doesn't matter how much anyone says they shouldn't have switched to homo milk, they shouldn't feed hard candy, etc, it really isn't a CPS issue unless it is having immediate health effects on the child. You can't count diabetes later in life - a teenager eating junk can do that. A LOT of things can do that, and you aren't suggesting calling CPS on those people. Could you even imagine the resources they would need?



Oh, and call CPS on me because I let my 7 month old have a chocolate Easter Egg for his first Easter. And I am pretty sure I allowed him to have the occasional treat.



Or does that not cross the line? So in that case, where IS the line?

Rebecca - posted on 06/11/2011

"The first aid class would teach the parents to deal with choking but wouldn't teach them a thing about what to feed the baby. And to offer the first aid class would mean the OP would have to say why, and then there you are, right back at the family rift with kids still at higher than normal risk of obesity, diabetes, and nutritional diseases."

Okay, I already said it is possible to suggest taking a class without actually pinpointing the reason why. Like I suggested before, you could say that you never took the classes and had a choking incident...then didn't know what to do. Blame it on your own stupidity or lack of knowledge, say you need a buddy to go with. Actually make it fun. Then if they go along, the teachers info can help clear the choking thing up.

About the food though, I see that you are saying it won't teach them nutrition, but that's not a reason to call CPS, unless they are starving or dangerously obese. If that alone was a reason to call CPS, even as a risky last ditch effort, you'd have to call on the majority of Americans as well. That is something that is what it is. It is not your place to say a thing unless asked, IMO.

I'm saying all this even though I am extremely healthy and dedicated to fitness. However, that's me, that's not my all my siblings or even all my relatives. So, I can feed my family the way I think works for them and my SIL can feed them Kraft Dinner and chocolate milk every night (and she does). I don't say shit because she is a great mom, she just has a weakness in the diet area. I'm sure she looks at me and thinks the same about some other area. Thems the breaks with family.

Laura Zoey - posted on 06/11/2011

Erics first taste of 'junk food' was his birthday cake, before a year he had only 'healthy' foods. And only single ingredient foods until a year.
So yeah I think that's awful.
Now at two he can have some if he asks nicely but some, not 5 pieces! One or two tops and it's not daily.

Daniela - posted on 06/11/2011

As far as first aid goes, if you are on good terms with the mother, maybe you could throw it into the conversation one day when your child is eating a big lump of something. Like how he almost choked the other day and how you got such a fright that you checked your first aid book on how to deal with this again? You could ask her then if she'd like you to show her. Or maybe that's a little obvious...

Daniela - posted on 06/11/2011

I'd be really worried about the 10 months old not having received breastmilk/formula for the past four months. I don't know how it works in the states, but here in Ireland we have a Public Health Nurse who rings you and makes appointments for all your check-ups. They are generally very nice and approachable. I would talk to her, discuss the situation and ask her if she could maybe make a general appointment with the parents and talk to them about nutrition and the importance of giving formula, kind of as if she'd talk like that to any parent that comes through her door. After that, it's up to them.

Johnny - posted on 06/11/2011

Calling CPS would just cause a rift and make their lives more difficult than they need to be. Besides, all CPS would probably do is send them to parenting classes, but they'd also have a record and it would cause huge family discord.

You could suggest something like going to parenting classes as a group. Sign up for something all together, something that covers the basics like nutrition. You may already know all the stuff, but who knows? Maybe you'd still learn something new. And at least that way you are not pointing fingers but inviting them to something you are doing too.

Jane - posted on 06/11/2011

Having had CPS called on me, I know what resources they have.

Also, having dealt with end stage diabetes, I know what that does too, and would never willingly set any child up for that life.

So I disagree with your disagreement.

With that said, I'm outta here.

Dana - posted on 06/11/2011

Nah, I'm so far from disagreeing with that statement of calling CPS, that I wouldn't even agree to disagree. ;)

Jane - posted on 06/11/2011

Then we agree to disagree.

Dana - posted on 06/11/2011

I understand you're saying it's a last resort. I'm saying it shouldn't even be an option.

Jane - posted on 06/11/2011

The first aid class would teach the parents to deal with choking but wouldn't teach them a thing about what to feed the baby. And to offer the first aid class would mean the OP would have to say why, and then there you are, right back at the family rift with kids still at higher than normal risk of obesity, diabetes, and nutritional diseases.

It is pointless. It would be worse than doing nothing.

Jane - posted on 06/11/2011

It's a last resort, people!

Rebecca - posted on 06/11/2011

Yep, you said it was risky...heard that.

I was debating your assertion that suggesting to take a first aid class together was useless and not a valid option risky or not.

Dana - posted on 06/11/2011

Calling CPS is insane, IMO. You are then labeling the parents as bad, neglectful parents, that legally, will follow them around for years.

Jane - posted on 06/11/2011

As I said, it is risky as it could cause a family rift. I also said it would be a last resort. Are you actually reading what I am writing?

Ashley=) - posted on 06/11/2011

I would be floored as my kids would of probably choked on the candy.I never gave my first any candy until her third bday.Second got something sweet at maybe one years old.I always brush there teeth.The never got an over load of it.
A taste fine, or once in a while.If teeth are brushed etc..always watch them eating anything.Its so easy for kids to choke etc.Hard candy oh lord no.Just because of the way my little ones were.

Rebecca - posted on 06/11/2011

So you think you should call CPS on someone who is simply feeding their kids crap?

You also assume that because the BIL feeds his baby candy he will not care to take a first aid class? First aid covers all kinds of situations, the suggestion to perhaps take it together might be more than acceptable. Saying something like, "You know, I never took first aid and I'd really like to, wanna come with?"

IMO, it is a little more diplomatic than calling CPS for some candy.

Besides, I would assume the BIL is not completely stupid...in this baby's life, how many people have actually been close enough to the baby to see this? He may just figure out who called CPS on him...then talk about a rift that can't be mended.

Jane - posted on 06/11/2011

@Rebecca - Note that I said that calling CPS is risky and is a last resort.

However, anything the OP does in this situation will be risky. If she does nothing, the kid might choke to death or grow up to be obese and unhealthy. If she says someting to the BIL and GF she could cause a major family rift. If she says something to her husband he may do nothing, so the child remains at risk or he may make his brother angry, causing a family rift. If she calls CPS, the parents, while angry, might get parenting lessons, or there might be no response, or the parents might figure out who called and start up a family rift.

Paying for a first aid certificate wouldn't do a lick of good. The parents don't understand what they should feed a baby. Why would they be interested in taking first aid? How will that stop them from feeding the kid non-nutritive candy instead of real food?

If this were the OP asking if she should give her kid candy, we would simply advise her that she should not. But it isn't. The OP is worried about what her BIL is doing and realizes that if she does anything directly she may be ostracized, and her husband with her, leaving the kids at the same risk as before.

CPS, while a pain in the butt, is there to help keep kids safe. Parental education is one of the tools they use to do that.

If the OP were a teacher she would be required to call CPS if she saw parents not caring for their children correctly and thus putting them at risk. Why should she do nothing if she is an aunt?

Rebecca - posted on 06/11/2011

Um yeah, I think calling CPS is really extreme. How about suggesting or paying for a first aid certificate before something extreme like that.

I'm just wondering why so many of these differences in parenting threads turn into, calling CPS situations. If your kid keeps hitting their head on a low beam in your house that should be fixed, should you also call CPS? What, you should fix the thing right? Even if you are generally a loving parent, but the whole beam thing overrides it, right?

Too extreme.

Jane - posted on 06/11/2011

Yes, everyone agrees it is horrible and that she shouldn't say anything directly. The problem is that these are her inlaws that are doing this, If she speaks up directly she could cause a major rift in the family that could last for years to come.

However, if she tells her husband, he may be more likely to be able to share the information without inciting family mayhem. Since this isn't her child nor her blood family, that is the best she can do herself.

There is ine other thing she could do, but this is also very risky. Since the child is at risk of choking, and since this is not a correct diet for a child, she could call CPS. Bear in mind, though, that while the caller is not revealed to the parents, they may very well be able to guess who reported them. That in itself can also cause a major family rift.

So she is left with telling her husband and letting him talk to his brother.

Georgia - posted on 06/11/2011

There is nothing she can do. What her BIL was doing is dangerous and unhealthy on so many levels, but it's HIS kid.

It's like with watching my niece being fed hot chips at 4 months old. I was horrified that anyone would feed an infant such things, but I have no right to tell my SIL that it's wrong because she obviously felt that it wasn't. As for the choking hazard, I suppose I would say something along the lines of "has she been eating hard candy? I'd be too scared to feed an infant such things because they are choking hazards."

I choked my eldest on two occasions when he was about the same age. Once we were at a seafood festival and there was shredded carrot on the side of my plate. So I gave him a few strands of the stuff and he promptly choked on it. Thankfully I have a senior first aid certification, so I knew what to do. The second time was about ten minutes later... He choked on a small piece of lettuce. I felt like the worst parent that day!

Liz - posted on 06/10/2011

So everyone agrees it's terrible, but that the OP shouldn't say anything.

What can she do?? The food is horrible, but worse imo is the choking risk of giving hard candy to an infant.

Georgia - posted on 06/10/2011

I'm a shrew, so neither of my kids had any kind of sweets (not even birthday cake) before 2 years. My niece (3wks older than my eldest) drinks cordial and "juice" poppers all the time, so the last time my eldest was around her he tried a popper for the first time and he was 4.

U get the hash browns at 4 months, because this same niece was eating French fries at the same age, along with chocolate and juice. She is an incredibly picky eater now at 4 1/2 years and will only eat processed junk.

I could never understand this kind of thinking. I limit my boys' sugar intake and they understand the difference between a "sometimes" food versus an "every day" food. A kid's little digestive system doesn't need the war that junk food wages against it.

Rebecca - posted on 06/10/2011

I think it is pretty terrible. I also think it is not your place to say anything.

What are you going to say, your kids need to go back on the boob and stop eating crap? Yeah, I don't think that'll go down well.

All you can do is offer good healthy options for them when they come round to your house...when they are a bit older. That is if they'll actually eat it at that point. I'm guessing it'll be hard to knock the Timbits and candy habit.

Heather - posted on 06/10/2011

I think it's ignorant of them to be feedng their children in this manner. I also think it is disgusting. Children of that age need to be fed nourishing meals appropriate to their age. I am by no means suggesting to anally follow a dr's guidelines to a tee, i know I didn't but used good reasoning skills in the choices I made for my children.

My guess is your brother and his gf are just ueducated and ignorant when it comes to children's nutrition. I only say this from my personal experience with my hubby's family. His cousin's baby at the time, Thanksgiving last year or Nov. last year for those of you outside of the US, was letting her 10 month old drink Pepsi cola. They live in an area of Tennessee that is very poor and not very educated. I wanted to rip the soda out of his cousin's hand and read her the riot act.

Sara - posted on 06/10/2011

This is one of the reasons why our children are becoming more and more obese. If you give them a taste for the sweets this young they're going to want it when they're older. My kids didn't get candy until almost 2. And now they only get it about once a month unless there's a holiday. Instead they get fruits and dried fruits.

Tyrae - posted on 06/10/2011

Liz, I think she was approx 4 or 5 months old when she was eating the hashbrowns and timbits. They would let the hashbrowns sit until they get soggy and not crunchy anymore, and then just let her mush it in her mouth.

It just drives me nuts. I'm so happy I'm not the only one that thinks this is wrong. They don't seem like bad parents per say, I think they just don't know better... Their kids seem healthy now and quite happy. It still just doesn't seem right..

Liz - posted on 06/10/2011

When the eldest was younger and starting on solids, they were giving her the deep-fried hashbrowns from McDonalds and Tim Hortons. They would also give her timbits.



How does this work when you start solids at 2 months and completely wean by 6 months?



How does a 2 or 3 month old chew hashbrowns? I assume they weren't making hashbrown&timbit puree.



Homo milk at 6 months! F*ck these people.

September - posted on 06/10/2011

I would not give our 2.5 year old that much candy in one sitting much less a 10.5 month old. In fact our son had sweets for the first time on his 1st birthday. We're not a big candy family so we rarely have it in our home. It's a treat when we do eat it. Our son prefers ice cream over candy so that's usually what we treat ourselves to. I agree with you children that age should not be eating that much candy.

April - posted on 06/10/2011

teresa, i know what you mean about men not worrying as much about giving junk food to their kids! i hate it when my husband and i are not on the same wavelength when it comes to that sort of thing. my son has had way more sugar than i would have ever allowed if i had my way 100%. Between the grandparents and my husband, they all drive me crazy. Everyone treats me like I'm just being paranoid and they say it's okay now because he's not really a baby anymore. the worst is when no one even asks me if it's okay if he can have this or that! i'm in the process of trying to change the whole family's eating habits, just hoping it isn't too late even though he's only 2!

Teresa - posted on 06/10/2011

The only hard candy I let my 3 year old have is lollipops. I learned my lesson on that one when the girls were 3 and I'm pretty paranoid about hard candies now.

The girls were 10.5 months on their first Halloween, so they got some M-n-M's, but as a regular thing.... not a chance. Of course, thanks to my ex, vanilla ice cream was one of their favorite foods at 8 months... He only ever gave them a few tastes of his though, thankfully.

My son does and has always had more access to sweets and stuff, but if you have older kids getting it (since his sisters were 6 when he was born).... it's around more and harder to avoid. Can't remember when he got his first candy though. He was only 7 months for HIS first Halloween, so definitely not then. ;)

April - posted on 06/10/2011

fruit snacks for a 10 month old? are they serious?! what about choking?? not giving breast milk or formula to a child under a year old because they're lazy?? are they mad? ok, i officially think they might be bad parents! :(

Tyrae - posted on 06/10/2011

Well I've noticed that they have a lot of that kind of stuff around. Pretty much if the 2.5 year old can have it they think that the 10.5 month old can. Like for instance The eldest one gets a pack of Dora snacks if she finishes her dinner (everyday) and because she gets a pack so does the young one. They've also had the Dora snacks for lunch, and for snacks. It's a pretty regular basis that they do this.

They've always been pretty bad with the food that they are giving their kids. When the eldest was younger and starting on solids, they were giving her the deep-fried hashbrowns from McDonalds and Tim Hortons. They would also give her timbits. They get multiple juice boxes a day.

I don't mind the fact that they are on regular foods, it's the lack of formula or breastmilk that gets to me. It's like the mom decided she just wanted her body back and that it was too much of an inconvenience to make formula (she told me this herself) so she just went straight to homo milk. I give my daughter a little bit of homo milk a day, mostly just a couple mouthfuls when she has her rice cereal, she seems to like it, but breastmilk is still her main source of nutrition. The way I think it should be.

I've talked to my hubby about it and he just laughed. He believes its none of our business how they decide to raise their children, so I shall leave it be. If this keeps happening when I'm around though I'm going to have to start leaving the room before I snatch it out of their babies hands. I mean I see how it could be a little difficult to say no, their youngest daughter is confidently walking on her own, so she's always up in their faces with her hands up yelling for more more more. But it's so easy to just say no, or to not even take the candy out in front of them in the first place... *sigh*

Krista - posted on 06/10/2011

Yeah, I'd be worried about the choking almost more than anything else. Plus, how often is that kid getting candy? My son will get a treat every so often, and recently he had his first lollipop. (We'd gone to a new fish and chips shop, and the kindly old shopkeep gave him one.) But this is a once-in-a-blue moon thing. And my kid is almost two. Before a year old, the only sweet thing he ever had was the odd taste of no-sugar-added vanilla frozen yogurt.

Donna - posted on 06/10/2011

yea i agree that is alot, i think id be more afraid of the kid choking than anything on hard candy

Johnny - posted on 06/09/2011

No. I think this sounds terrible for all the reasons the other posters have given. It horrifies me when I see children drinking pop from baby bottles. It's all I can do to stop myself from running up and snatching the thing, so kudos to you for your self-restraint.

My daughter has had chocolate, maybe twice. Halloween and Easter. Perhaps from Gran around Christmas. But certainly not a daily thing. And I've never considered giving her hard candy or any sort of sugar candy at all. She can have that stuff when she's old enough to get a job or she can stand on the street and panhandle for it. But no one please suggest that to her because the next thing we'll know my little 3 year old will be on YouTube begging outside 7-Eleven.

Erin - posted on 06/09/2011

Yikes. No! Chocolate didn't pass my daughter's lips until she was over 18 months. I remember the first day she had it. We were at an animal farm and my Mum gave her some. She was in heaven, and talked about it for weeks. I'm sure everyone must have thought I was awful and giving it to her all the time lol. Since then, it is a treat only. I would say she has some every few of weeks - only ever a small amount, and not at home (I don't keep junk at home).

I'm not sure how you can approach this. Unfortunately, what they choose to feed their child is their business. But maybe asking a question about the choking risk could open up into a general conversation? I really don't know.

Good Day! - posted on 06/09/2011

LOL, you are right about the breakfast cereal. I *try* not to obsess over what my daughter eats when with grandparents. Eating junk was part of the fun of being at grandma's when I was a kid. My daughter has a very well balanced diet 90% of the time. And a big slice of chocolate cake sounds delicious...mmmmm.