Giving babies junk food

[Indadhanu]

I was out and about early this morning, and was really shocked and saddened to see 3 separate mothers giving their babies - no older than 12 months at a guess - McDonald's or Hungry Jacks, and I'm not talking a fry or a bite here and there, I'm talking a cheese burger or a McMuffin and hash brown.

One of them was only 6 months too

Look, I'm not judging, but I feel so sad that children of such a young age are fed such junk, when its just as easy to give them a banana to munch on instead. These foods are full of nothing but fat, something that I can only imagine would be difficuilt for children of their age to digest.

I just can't imagine why any one would give such a small, vulnerable child such horrible food when there ARE better alternatives. No wonder childhood obesity is becoming such an issue here in Australia, kids are being fed junk food way too early.

Yeah, that's all true, about digestion and alternatives... but then, you never know the life circumstances... this MAY have been their first time giving their child McDonalds, this may have been one of those situations where it's cheap and easy, this may have been a "oh my gosh have a cheeseburger and sit down for a second you've both been up all night and I'm sleep deprived and not coping".

I like to think that moderation is key Every now and then, I can't see a huge problem. Others probably might, but honestly, it's moderation and attitude rather than wether or not you see a second in time of a random family eating McDonalds.... Most people do know that McDonalds isn't a healthy choice

BTW - I have a much bigger problem with seeing the everyday food people feed their children on a regular basis that they actually think is healthy and ok - like canned or tinned baby food, those frozen meals or pseudo-healthy snacks like roll-ups or fruit sticks or 'le snack' rather than whether or not a family choose to eat McDonalds once in a while (which may or may not be the case here, you never know).

[Astrid]

As has been said I think it is a matter of circumstance. Especially when travelling, often Macca's is one of the few places with cleanish toilets,baby change, parking and eftpos. Yes there are roadhouses, but you should see the rubbish they dish up for twice the price.

As for the Mc Muffin. Well break it down. An english muffin, an egg, bacon and cheese. All ingredients which you would probably feed yourself and your child at home. The ingredients are fine (well maybe not the plastic cheese). Even my MIL who is anti fast food, thinks a McMuffin is acceptable food.

It can be so hard not to judge though. I used to see it in food courts all the time when I was back in Melbourne. Kids eating a happy meal, when there were so many other choices. I then find out for myself though, that the other choices are so expensive and they refuse to sell you kiddie serve. Only yesterday I bought DD2 a plate of Japanese noodles. $7.50 plus a drink, so just under $10 Maccas is not stupid, they provide food the kids will eat at a very good price. If only other food providers would learn from that and offer half serves at half price.

[Miss.B]

I agree with the comments on moderation. My DS is 11 months and I have, since the age of 6 months, been giving him solids which have begun as porridge, banana, yogurt, very small amounts of cheese etc. He wasn't much interested in solids until he was just over 8 months old, and I have to admit I have given his a chip or two here and there and it all started in China as I just didn't trust their food and so we went into Hungry Jacks. At least I knew a chip was made from potato! lol. Now DS eats pretty much what we eat, but on occasions when we have been out shopping I have given him 3 or 4 chips to chew on and a bit of the beef from my big mac on top of what I pack for his lunch. He just needs to try whatever we're having! I don't want him to grow up on fast food, but I don't see a problem with having a few chips here and there. He is still getting plenty of milk, cheese, veggies, fruit, meat etc at home.