No way are you over-reacting!!!! I would have kicked her butt out of my house. Firstly babies digestive systems aren't built to cope with basic solids (like pears and farex...like you're giving) til 4-6 months in the first place. Do they want your child to develop diarrhoea, vomitting or have stomach cramps from the 'treats' they want to give her???

My DD was discovered to actually have a severe dairly allergy at about 8 months - so if that had've been my DDwith your MIL she could very easily have died from that experience - seriously. I have to carry an epipen with adrenaline in it to jab her with and then rush her to hospital if she injests the smallest amount of dairy. So your PIL need to understand that children can have very serious allergies so they need to keep all food away from YOUR child until you give permission that a food is safe.

And chocolate - COME ON!!! Children have enough time to enjoy sweets and chocies etc... in life - why do people think it's necessary to introduce it to babies??? My daughter is almost 2 and she has never had a lolly, chocolate (even dairy-free ones), soft drink because my DH and i want to develop healthy eating habits in her and want to give her body the best start in life.

I really hope you can make it very clear to them that they have absolutely no right to give your child ANYTHING unless you have provided permission. And never should they bad-mouth you infront of your child. They need to gain your trust otherwise how are you to ever allow them to mind her?

Good luck