I don’t understand how people can do this to their children! Is it lack of education or just general laziness?? Makes me furious!

The internet, local library and health centres are flooded with information on healthy eating for children and have been for many years. There really is no excuse. That picture makes me horrified.

The survey was done in Bradford – so not surprising – lots of teenage Mums and a very poor area. But then again, it’s not that uncommon here, though (I hope) not to that extent. In food courts it’s not unusual to see a baby (less than 18 months) sucking on a McDonald’s fry. The look of delight on the baby’s face- you can see why the parents do it. Very sad.

I was initially surprised at this article. I can’t understand how this happens. I was a first time mum starting to feed my child solids about 18 months ago and the information and support available to me through my Maternal Health Nurse and just generally online through the Raising Children Network was fantastic. My local council also had a session which I attended that talked through transitioning to solids. I had all the information and support I needed to make good, educated decisions for my child. I then realised this was not an Australian article. But on second thought I have witnessed a mum on a tray giving creamy soda in a bottle to a child not yet walking (so probably 12-18 months). I have also been aware of immigrant communities giving kids coke because it is cheaper than bottled water (and they don’t trust tap water because it is dangerous in the countries they came from. So I ultimately, despite all the information and support that is out there I think that not everyone chooses to, or knows how to, access these resources. Maybe more needs to be done to ensure that Mums are getting this information.

Wow cola in a bottle! But in general we need to look beyond blaming individual parents and look at the food manufacturers, advertising, the availablity and price of fresh foods and support for young parents….

I remember a health nurse tellong me of a young mum she was guiding and suggested to start baby on some solids soon – next visit the mum was pleased to report she had done so – but upon questioning, the health nurse discovered she fed her what she had – mcdonalds (put in a blender to make a puree). The young mum took it that she could puree whatever she ate. Poor baby

Sadly it doesn’t surprise me. I’ve seen all sorts of things in person including parents giving little ones Coke or Pepsi. And I see it on Facebook a lot…some parents think it is cute posting photos with captions like ‘daddy and xxxx sharing a zooper dooper’ when the little one isn’t even one yet!

It doesnt suprise me, it horrified me.
You don’t need brilliant cooking skills to feed a baby For goodness sake there are healthy baby pouch foods you can buy for $1.30 cheaper than chips

I don’t drink Cola at all. Even if I did I wouldn’t even let the baby hold the bottle/can. Irresponsible parenting. I can’t understand parents that allow a little one to hold something, only if it is handed them but not other times. It must confuse a child regardless of whether he/she is 6 months old or 3 years old.

It doesn’t surprise me but with the amount of information out there on nutrition, how easy it is to find, and cook, there really are no excuses for feeding your child junk food.

There is no excuse for feeding babies junk food. Healthy, nutritious food is easily prepared at home.