Is weetabix bad for toddlers?

[kimberleyrobx]

So my OH's dad keeps telling me to stop giving my 16 month old weetabix because 'its bad for her' and 'its all roughage and gives her diarreah and de-hydrates children' but I think this is none sense. Emily loves it and thrives from it, she has 2 weetabix almost every morning. I googled it and couldn't find anything. Every time I mention Emily not eating dinner or having a bit of a sore bum he keeps blaming the weetabix and telling me to stop giving it to her. So the question is, is weetabix bad for toddlers?!

 

[smelly07]

its not 'bad' but I have to say too much weetabix can cause loose stools or severe constipation - its quite common - personally i wouldnt give my child 2 weetabix a day - my daughter went through a phase of only wanting weetabix for breakfast it did result in extreme constipation - which stopped as soon as the weetabix was greatly reduced even now my girls only have it once or twice a week - everything in moderation is what i say x

 

[Zou]

I'm trying to reduce how often I give it to LO as it seems to ruin his appetite for the rest of the day. Don't think it's bad though.

 

[Tanikins]

My lb had bix for brekkie everyday for about 4 months. It didnt cause any constipation of poops surely gotta be better than coco pops!!!!

 

[CaptainMummy]

I guess because its quite high in fibre, some might say too much may cause pooping issues! But... I cant see how 2 for breakfast is going to do any harm, especially if she isnt being given loads of high fibre foods throughout the day. its definitely not bad for them!

 

[kimberleyrobx]

She has 2 weetabix every morning because that's what fills her up, if she were to only have 1 she wold still be starving afterwards. She does get a couple of loose stools a week but who doesn't when they eat weetabix?! OH's dad seems to think its terrible for her, but I think it's rubbish:S x

 

[suzib76]

I wouldn't give a young child 2 weetabix in one serving, that's an adult sized portion, so maybe he is just thinking that your lo has a lot and there could be problems related to that

 

[nicolefx]

Zack has them maybe once or twice a week . He only has one as he has fruit for breakfast as well - the only reason I don't give them him more is the nappies afterwards are not very enjoyable lol! He has never been constipated from them though. x

 

[lau86]

My LO has 2 weetabix for breakfast every single day and has done since he was 7 months old- so shoot me! Ha ha. No seriously, I've never heard anyone say weetabix is bad, my LO drinks plenty of water and as far as I can see all cereals are full of fibre... Agree with pp it's better than coco pops!!

 

[kimberleyrobx]

Its not the amount im giving her, he just keeps telling me that giving her weetabix is terrible for her because its a roughage food, thats his opinion! he tells me over and over again every time i see him, its really getting to me! i feel like telling him to shut up and leave me to it, everytime we go to his house for dinner he's always giving his youngest son (8 years old) and emily chicken dippers for dinner as home made foods are 'too messy for them' like seriously?! its no wonder my OH only eats chicken out the freezer and doesnt eat ANYTHING good for his body e.g home made lasagna, spag bol, mince and tatties, cpork chops, soup! he doesnt eat anything other than chicken and im not surprised! OH's dad keeps trying to pressure me into giving emily cheerios instead as 'thats better' , im so annoyed!

 

[Ceejay123]

Rileys had weetabix most days since being little - with mixed fruit. He won't eat anything else except the odd occasion porridge or brown toast, (Which is still whole-foody?) I think its fine. My sister has 2 a day (Shes 5) but she suffers with bad constipation and has to take medication for it every day anyway.. So the weetabix helps. x

 

[lozzy21]

I would find out some statistics on fibre and throw them at him the next time he starts. Things like having a good amount of fibre reduces your chance of bowel cancer etc

 

[Mum2b_Claire]

I don't think 2 is an adult portion - I eat 3 haha. Scarlett has half a one for her breakfast a couple of times a week when I am feeling brave enough to clear up the resulting mess! I like to give a variety of breakfasts.

 

[PepsiChic]

I would say 2 a day is excessive for a small child, 1 with some chopped fruit like berries or banana or a handful of raisins every other day may be better for her.

"roughage" hes referring to fibre, and while fibre is good for you...too much can cause problems, a child eating an adult sized portion almost every day will cause problems, either now/on-going or at a later date.

 

[kimberleyrobx]

I'll keep giving her weetabix but maybe mix up her breakfast from now on, maybe give her weetabix twice a week, ready break a couple of times a week and something else that's good for her, my OH eats 8 weetabix every time and its no wonder he complains of diarreah and heartburn! x

 

[LPF]

Weetabix isn't bad for you! Evan eats 2 for breakfast easily and a banana so I think it's a personal thing based on appetite. He's never had a different poo from it either.

 

[Foogirl]

Cheerios instead of weetabix? That's crazy. I'd stick with the weetabix, nowt wrong with it.

 

[Rhio92]

Connor has 2 every day for breakfast. I've never thought about them being bad... He has good bowels and his never constipated, and he eats very well x

 

[fluffpuffin]

too much fiber can stop you absorbing nutrients from your food properly and it can fill you up prematurely, meaning you eat less. For a growing child too much fiber isn't recommended because of that.

https://healthyeating.sfgate.com/can-children-much-fiber-5173.html

^^this article is pretty good! I would check how much fiber there is in weetabix and just check she doesn't eat more than recommended for her age.

 

[SillyMoo1983]

My LO loves ner weetabix. She also has ready brek which she loves too. Sometimes with banana or apple puree in to make it super super yummy! She sometimes has shreddies or bran flakes too. Oh, and cheerios or rice crispies to nibble on to keep her busy while I get her breakfast ready. Sorry to ramble!