A mom has sparked a parenting debate online after admitting to giving her six-month-old baby daughter a McDonald's for a "treat".
Now, despite many of us getting hooked on the fast-food giants from a young age thanks to their Happy Meals, many parents will differ on what age you should first feed your child the convenient meals.
But 18-year-old Jamie-Leigh Gibson from Antrim, Northern Ireland, has revealed to The Sun's Fabulous magazine how her now 16-month-old daughter loves the salty treat, and has done since she was just six months old.
The mom, who is currently seven months pregnant with her second baby, revealed to the publication that she faced a fierce backlash after she announced on social media that baby Aniya loves a Maccies.
She wrote: "My one-year-old was eating McDonald’s at six months… she loves herself a handful of chips and a burger."
And in response to the criticism, Jamie-Leigh said that her daughter is perfectly healthy, and even provided a doctor's note to prove her point.
The law student revealed that she was inspired to speak out after another mom revealed her one-year-old daughter tried KFC. Jamie-Leigh told Fabulous:
"No-one in my family and friend group said anything rude or mean but on the comment section of the KFC post a lot of older woman weren't impressed that so many of us in the comments had given our kids fast food before they were toddlers but it didn't bother me as I don't know them personally."
Reinforcing that daughter Aniya "is happy and isn't showing any health issues", Jamie-Leigh said: "I don't think people who don't know you should have a say in what your child eats."
The mom explained how she used to work at a Burger King shortly after her daughter's birth, and during her breaks, Jamie-Leigh's mom would bring Aniya to be breastfed.
Jamie-Leigh then said that during her feedings, Aniya would also be given fries to snack on.
"I never had salt on them then she got her first tooth at five months so we gave her half of a plain kids burger and she was eating away at it," the mom said, adding:
"It's not what she has all the time but, even now at 16 months, when she does get it she prefers the burger bap and chips dipped in sauce as a treat if we go out shopping."
Many of Jamie-Leigh's friends have expressed their concerns over Aniya choking, but the mom says she'll be fine because her daughter eats vegetables and fruit too.
In addition, Jamie-Leigh was adamant her was getting plenty of nutrients as she is still breastfeeding.
Overall, the 18-year-old stressed that "McDonald's is just a treat."
"Aniyah loves McDonald's even now she enjoys when she gets a Happy Meal," Jamie-Leigh said.
However, in the comments section of the article, the mom had sparked quite the debate.
One reader said: "Its your baby do as you please although I would not feel comfortable doing the same. Everyone is different and thats ok no judgement here. [sic]"
Another reader commented: "As long as there was no salt on the chips and it isn’t every day it’s not a problem."
But other readers weren't as understanding with Jamie-Leigh's decision, with one person writing: "Irresponsible and ignorant. What a child eats in their early years sets their eating habits. Aside of course from the excess sugar and sodium content of the fries and burger (not to mention sauce)."
A fourth commented: "I have never had a child, but if I had, I would never ever give them McDonalds - full of fat and salt - stupid woman! Just far too lazy to cook decent food! [sic]"
And another said: "Disgrace, not a way to start a baby's diet of burger and [chips]. All boils down to Lazy parenting. Can't cook won't cook."
So, is this something all parents are guilty of or would you wait until later on before treating your kids to a McDonald's? Let us know in the comments section.
