Family feeds LO junk

[Anonymous]

I'm a nanny who believes in establishing good eating habits early on. I work for a family that is very lackadaisical towards what they feed their child. They tend to feed him mostly frozen junk food and things like chips. When I'm around I try to always give heathy whole foods. If he's not eating his lunch, they don't hesitate to give him a cookie or some other sweet mid meal just to get him to eat. I don't think there is any reason a 10 month old needs to be eating this way, and it really bothers me. I'm not sure what I can do more than I already am.

[Anonymous]

YOu can talk with the parents, gently, and see if they are open to broadening the diet.

Big picture though, the family might not be a good fit for you. Not great for the baby, for sure, but you can't change a leopard's spots.

[Anonymous]

Do the best you can while you're there within their limits. For example, you don't have to give him cookies if you don't feel that's reasonable. That's about the most you can do. If they are like this with food at 10 months, it's likely to get worse regarding lots of things, such as behavior/discipline.

I could deal with this if the parents are gone all day. The child will learn to go with your structure while you're there. I've been in situations when I was more strict than the parents. It has worked for me unless the parents are home. Then they call the shots, of course. They had trouble figuring out why the child eats/sleeps/behaves well for me but not for them.

[Anonymous]

You aren't the parent. If it's that difficult for you, find a new family.

[Anonymous]

I'm not going to do things I deem harmful to a child. Varying discipline techniques, aside from spanking, sure I'll try. Different sleep methods/routines, sure! But I will not harm your kid. The occasional cookie, I'd keep my mouth shut. Some food is better than none. Cookie every day instead of lunch, nope. I'd propose a solid method for getting him to eat, and if they balked, its time to move on.

[Anonymous]

They are picking easy. Maybe have some healthy snacks ready made easy for them to grab.

[Anonymous]

OP here. I've started cooking things during nap time so there is healthy food all ready to go. When I am alone I make sure only to give healthy foods, the challenge is when MB is home. I have a pretty good relationship with the family, so I will try chatting with them about it.

[Anonymous]

Once again nannies, these are NOT your kids. The parents can, and will, do what they want even give their child a *gasp* cookie!