I mentioned here that Clara didn't have dessert until we celebrated her 1st birthday. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to know that babies don't need sugar. They don't comprehend what a "treat" is...and their little growing bodies just don't need that kind of garbage.
Travel back with me to a time when Clara was around 7 months old. We were visiting my in-laws for a weekend...Clara's uncle and aunt were home...we were all enjoying a nice dinner together. Dessert was ice-cream. Tommy, coaxed by the crew, went to give her a taste. I FREAKED.
Not only did I freak...I probably made devil eyes and harshly reminded him that our baby doesn't need sugar. I'm fairly certain that I came across as a nut job because everyone at the table had a peculiar response. There was a little nervous laughter...prompts for him to give it to her anyway (mainly from my father in law - who quickly busted out the camera)...and my sweet mother in law was trying to tell me very rationally that a little bit won't hurt her.
I knew it wouldn't HURT her. She just didn't NEED it. Why force feed a baby something that isn't good for them? I guess I just don't get the point. I was adamant about not giving her any. I am rarely adamant. I always have opinions...but I VERY rarely really put my foot down - I'm a roll with the punches kinda lady (or at least I tend to think I am.) In this case...I would not back down and couldn't believe that I stood alone on this issue. I may have flailed my arms? I may have given devil eyes to more people than just my husband?
Needless to say, she got a couple spoonfuls...much to my dismay...yet to the delight of the rest of the family. Was the ice-cream a mind blowing experience for Clara? Don't know. Her facial expression was the same after eating pureed spinach. My facial expression screamed "I'm pissed off!"
There is a time for sweet treats. But being a baby is not the time. Even if only a spoonful. My opinion.
*I warned my family that I was going to expose them for this on my blog. So my father in law sent me the picture of Clara on that fateful evening.
*UPDATE: I just talked to Tommy on the phone tonight. He and Clara went out for ice-cream today. *sigh*
Good on you! I agree whole-heartedly! Babies don't need all that processed sugar! I mean, if it's bad for adults, imagine what it does to their little systems!
ReplyDeleteI scream. You scream. We all scream for ICE CREAM!!!
ReplyDeleteFunny story about the ice cream place...Clara and I sat in the trunk with the hatch open and watched all the people. One boy was skateboarding and jumping over the little rock face that separated two parking lots. He did this maybe 8 times while we were there. And every time he fell or lost his board from under his feet, Clara would burst out laughing! hahaha She clearly has her father's dry sense of humor.
P.S. She only had a taste of the ice cream...next time I'll remember her baby snacks, which I meant to bring so she doesn't feel left out.
I second the good for you! Maybe if she doesn't have it when she's young she wont crave or "need" it when she's older!
ReplyDeleteI completely agree with you, Jes. COMPLETELY! I think that people don't realize that it's not a treat to a baby like it is to an adult. Emma actually got a tummy ache after being given treats by a family member who didn't want to listen to our wishes. Needless to say, once she saw how crappy Emma felt afterwards, it ended the need to feed the treats.
ReplyDeleteTotally agree! My girls never tasted sugar until they were between 2 and 3 years old...and after that, sugery sweets and soda pop was only given on very selective occasions, like birthdays and xmas. Both girls are now grown, and in their 30's...never had a sweet tooth, and never had a weight problem! People don't need sugar in their diets.
ReplyDeleteI would have freaked. OUT. Seriously.
ReplyDeleteCertainly not a psycho! I wish I had waited to give Peyton "treats".
ReplyDeleteThis is not a big deal. Of course, its not IDEAL that she eats ice cream, but in the scheme of things, this is not a big deal. Maybe its important to remember that your husband is also Clara's parent and gets to decide some things too. You won't always agree - this is the beginning of potentially not always agreeing about what is right for your child, but ultimately the child is perhaps better off having equal input from what she has - 2 loving parents. Your husband's opinion about the ice cream, isn't 'wrong', its just different from your opinion. Sometimes you just gotta let it go.
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