Ketchup

Rosebean

So I took DS to my parents for dinner last nights. We do BLW, but they always insist on mushing things down because it makes them comfortable. And while I am there I just shake my head and grin and bear it. Really, he's been eating finger foods for 3 months, and I know some of you mamas are already introducing finger foods now. But anyways, my mom suddenly asks if I have offered ketchup. The answer is no. Nothing wrong with ketchup. I love the fricken stuff, but he's 9 months. It's really unnecessary. So she puts a small glob on his table and helps him get a taste. Unsatisfied with that, she squeezes a massive glob onto his table and of course, he goes to town squishing it all over the place. Of course, I am a FTM so I am bothered by this, and luckily my dad comes to the rescue and wipes it all off his table. IMO, ketchup is like a treat. You have it with treat things, like French fries or Mac and cheese, or a hotdog. Not with dinner to mask the flavour of foods that he should be learning to appreciate as a baby. But when did you mamas introduce ketchup to your kids? I know I have been eating it since I have a clear memory of food (and now I know why).

kleigh926

She had a tiny taste of ketchup from DH's uncle when she was only like 6 months old. She hasn't had any since (to my knowledge.... who knows what my IL's have given her when I'm not around). I'm not against it, I just don't think it's necessary, like you said.

I don't understand people's obsession with the kinds of food babies are eating. Why do we have to try to give them everything under the sun? Just to see their reaction? It's really annoying sometimes. DH's grandparents try to feed her all kinds of junk when we're over.... cookies, jello, whatever dessert is there.

musicalmama5

I'm actually avoiding giving him ketchup just because of the high fructose corn syrup. But even if it weren't for that, I'd still avoid it just because it's unnecessary. Especially if you're into BLW and want LO to experience all flavors/textures of food. I hope my parents don't do this kind of thing when we go visit for Thanksgiving...

wifeofadam

I let my kids have condiments pretty much as soon as they start asking for them themselves.  I'd say they are usually closer to age 2.  They try them before that age, because there may be condiments already on the foods I give them, but it's not something I would go out of my way to give them.

Also, IMO there's a big difference between real ketchup and the HFCS/sugar-laden stuff.  I still won't give my older kids the HFCS stuff, because I don't see the point in preparing a healthy meat entree only to have them slather it in unhealthy stuff.  I have no problem, however, with them covering the meat in real ketchup or something like mustard for flavor.

tamarar5

He has had a taste but nothing more. DD didn't even like ketchup until this year.

pitterpatter129

I didn't give DS1 ketchup until a few months ago... It's mostly sugar.  I don't let other people feed my kids though.  Your parents would drive me nuts.  I made it really clear that DH and I are the only ones to offer food to our kids.  Which turned out to be a good thing since DS1 ended up with a bunch of food allergies and people are already trained to ask me before giving him things.  My family probably thinks I'm a total bitch...

 

DublinMama

DS tried a little ketchup on scrambled eggs once. He didn't seem overly excited about it. I don't plan on offering it to him regularly, but it's not because I have any strong feelings about it, or deem it unnecessary. I don't care for it myself, so I don't think to put it on many things.