First-time parents might fuss about many different things. Is the crib comfortable? Are the toys helping them learn and develop? Are they eating enough? And are they eating the right stuff? Moms and dads might disagree on these topics, and that's when drama is bound to ensue.
One dad shared a story of how he helped his 6-month-old get used to solid foods by putting some mild spices in them. However, when the mom found out, she was furious. According to her, cinnamon isn't safe for babies. Frustrated and bummed out, the dad decided to ask others whether he was wrong in this situation.
A dad turned to the Internet for advice after his wife reprimanded him for seasoning their baby's food
Image credits: bnenin / envato (not the actual photo)
Cinnamon, according to the mom, wasn't safe for a baby, so she got mad the husband didn't consult her
Image credits: Alex Green / pexels (not the actual photo)
Image source: SpicyAndCinnamon
The dad clarified that he used the spices because otherwise, he found the food inedible
There are several foods parents should never give their babies
Image credits: Pixabay / pexels (not the actual photo)
The dad mentioned in his post how he did research before putting cinnamon, garlic powder, and pepper in his baby's food. He also mentions how he found out honey isn't a suitable food for six-month-olds. And that's true.
In fact, babies under the age of one year shouldn't eat honey. That's because it contains bacteria (Clostridium) that can cause infant botulism. Its effects are muscle weakness, decreased muscle tone, constipation, a weak cry, and poor sucking.
While the baby is younger than 12 months, parents should be aware of other foods that can be dangerous. Foods that are high in sodium and sugar are among them. Experts say added sugar in desserts fills up an infant, and they don't get the nutrients necessary for growth and development. And too much salt increases a baby's risk of chronic disease.
When it comes to breastmilk substitutes, cow's milk or rice drinks are off the table. Rice often contains more arsenic than other grains, as it absorbs it from water, where the compound is found naturally. The CDC also recommends limiting the amount of rice or rice cereals parents give to a baby.
They ask parents not to give cow's milk and any dairy products made from unpasteurized milk to babies under the age of 12 months. In fact, it may put a baby at risk of intestinal bleeding. Cow's milk has too many proteins and minerals for a baby's kidneys to handle, which is why parents can only start introducing their kid to it after the first 12 months.
Paternal instinct does exist and is not trumped by maternal instinct
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The mom also threw a pretty hurtful remark at the dad, saying that she has maternal instincts and the dad doesn't "have any." That's a strange thing to say, given that the whole myth of women being innately maternal has been debunked by scientists.
"Maternal instinct and abilities, along with paternal abilities, may be social constructs based on how parents interact with their children in most societies," Child Psychiatrist Christine B. L. Adams, MD, writes.
The reality is that parents bond with babies when oxytocin is released in their brains. It happens equally to men and women. Research suggests that fathers who get truly invested in caregiving experience similar brain activity to mothers.
As Adams writes, the personality of a parent plays a much more important role than their gender. "A parent of either sex can nurture children. Nurturing is not tied to the gender of a parent."
"Nurturing is mediated by both oxytocin and testosterone. It is better to evaluate parents not by maternal or paternal labels but by their personality makeup and its effect on their child-rearing capabilities."
Most netizens backed the dad, saying that the mother overreacted
Others called both parents out for not communicating properly and being on the same page about the baby's diet
Others said the father was at fault, as he should've talked it out with the mom first
