Do you use snacks to occupy LO in public?

in my life · December 2010

I feel like this is such a bad habit, but whenever I am shopping with LO or at a restuarant, she has a snack cup in her hand. If I don't get it to her immediately after I put her in the shopping cart, she starts whining and crying for it.

Am I alone in doing this? Is it a habit I need to break now or will she eventually grow out of it?

kabarbanel · December 2010

I always have a snack/drink on hand. I don't think it's a big deal!

dragon_chica · December 2010

Only when she's due to eat something, which is about every 1.5-2 hours. During the off times I give her one of her favorite books or a toy to occupy her. I think as long as you're not giving LO food during times when they may not be hungry you should be fine. You can also start with water since sometimes dehydration can come off as sounding like hunger. But take note that youngin's need to snack between meals. And snacking to them is not snacking in an adult definition. So don't worry that you're creating an obese child.

rebus82 · December 2010

Yup, though we tend to stick with somewhat healthier snacks like crackers rather than cookies. The cup I have no issues with since it's always water anyway.

I think as long as you're not giving your kid fifty chocolate chip cookies while wandering Target, it's probably not detrimental. Assuming your child isn't overweight, though even then a healthier snack like grapes would probably be fine.

I would rather my son be occupied by crackers than need a toy off the shelf every time we go out. Or worse, scream the entire trip because he's bored and pissed.

AfterAll · December 2010

I usually give him a snack to occupy him too. Actually at the supermarket today I handed him an entire unopened box of Teddy Grahams to play with. He loved it.

NHMountainBride · December 2010

Yeppers. I'm not ashamed. I do it so consistently that as soon as I plop DD in the cart she says, "cookie." Embarrassed

TSD · December 2010

Always. I'm not sure why this would be a bad habit unless the snack is something unhealthy...

E always has puffs or some kind of cracker or fruit or puree pouch.

kabarbanel · December 2010

rebus82:

Yup, though we tend to stick with somewhat healthier snacks like crackers rather than cookies. The cup I have no issues with since it's always water anyway.

I think as long as you're not giving your kid fifty chocolate chip cookies while wandering Target, it's probably not detrimental. Assuming your child isn't overweight, though even then a healthier snack like grapes would probably be fine.

I would rather my son be occupied by crackers than need a toy off the shelf every time we go out. Or worse, scream the entire trip because he's bored and pissed.

I agree. And DS doesn't eat when he's not hungry, so there's times when we are out and I offer him something to occupy him, and he will refuse it if not hungry. So I don't worry about obesity or anything.

turtlegirl115 · December 2010

Yes, often. I try to occupy her otherwise with a toy/book we brought or one from the store but if she gets whiny I try to have snacks/juice on hand.

Lucky428 · December 2010

It really makes things easier. I do give him goldfish or puffs at restaurants or the store. I don't see a problem with it.

in my life · December 2010

I only ever feed her healthy snacks, so that isn't the issue! I just don't want to panic when I foget the snack cup when she is 5.

CalinsBride · December 2010

Yep, at the grocery store DS gets crackers or a granola bar, when we're at the mall we stop at a coffee shop and he gets a tea biscuit or a croissant.

Amymichelle925 · December 2010

Only if it's around snack time. When shopping etc.. he is usually occupied with a book or his matchbox cars, or just people watching.

gumiberg · December 2010

weird, but i have never thought to do this. we do activities/errands either after their morning snack or afternoon snack. sometimes i take them running during snack time - in which case i do give them their snack in the stroller.

sunnyday016 · December 2010

Absolutely, we do not leave the house without a baggie of cheerios. I don't really see eating cheerios as a bad habit.

lynsef · December 2010

kabarbanel:
I always have a snack/drink on hand. I don't think it's a big deal!

This. I don't have to give it to DD immediately when she gets in the shopping cart or whatever, but usually mid way through our shopping trip or whatever we are doing I have to give it to her. She is a frequent snacker anyway so I always have something on hand.

ljlkm · December 2010

I don't, but only because either I'd have to feed him or he'd make a giant mess. In either case, it distracts me, which isn't the point of the exercise. I'm not opposed to it at all, though. And of course LO will grow out of the habit; don't worry.

SusieQ1982 · December 2010

I try and stick to toys and only offer food if he's hungry. He does always have a sippy with water nearby because I want to encourage him to drink but we don't offer snacks as something to do.

I really, really don't want him to get into the habit of eating because he's bored or whatnot. That's one reason I got the way I was.

aniceucchik · December 2010

I always go out with a full cup of soy and a bag of cookies. Its the only way we will make it.

Sweets2005 · December 2010

Do you use snacks to occupy LO in public?

Hell to the yea!!!!

macchiatto · December 2010

Snacks are a must!

Aprilynn0206 · December 2010

I don't let DD take her "blankie" out of the car when we go shopping/to a restaurant. So I ALWAYS have her sippy cup and some kind of a snack. I give her a snack at home so I don't think it's a big deal if she has her snack when we're out instead.

I'm just going to assume she will grow out of it.

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