Alicia Silverstone bird feeding her son

[MissStepcut]

I couldn't care less how she feeds her son. And I would love to have some links to medical journals cited here which prove the harmfulness of this method to the child's dental well-being. I'm thinking it must be much worse if there is such a public uproar over this than say, giving your child apple juice constantly or letting him/her fall asleep with a bottle, or eating sugary crap all day long. Silverstone has done all kinds of attention-getting things over the years, this is just another publicity stunt. As I am about to become a mother, though, I find myself cringing every time people get all outraged or opinionated over the way someone chooses to rear their child. Precisely why I never announced on FB that I was pregnant--I knew I would be sensitive to unsolicited advice. I would say it's none of our business except in this case she's blogging it and obviously expecting feedback. Seriously, I doubt that there is much to get upset over here as it doesn't seem like the sort of thing that will catch on and sweep the nation. Will we soon see mothers chewing up their french fries and spitting them into the mouths of their children at every McDonald's? Not likely, so not too worried about it.

Oh my goodness every part of this, especially the bolded. No one has such definitive advice about pregnancy and child-rearing as those who have never done either.

 

[akmiss]

It's OK to be grossed out about this because I felt the same way once before. I remember witnessing this once and I was appalled. My mother started laughing and asked, "how do you think I fed you?" I never bird fed my kids but would eye my mother suspiciously when she was around. She thought the whole situation was comical to say the least
I am sure the Alicia Silverstone is aware that the traffic to her blog increased exponentially since she posted the video. I applaud her for being such a hands on mother even if her methods are unconvential. I am sure Bear will grow up to be alright regardless of how his mother fed him. Mainly due to the fact that his mother is attentive and present.
Parents today try to safeguard their children from every germ, sickness, and remotely dangerous situation. Its really sad because despite our efforts, this new generation is the first to have a lower life expectancy then the last. Giving advice (or criticism) on parenting is always a sensitive issue. I don't take any of the comments personally and hope that others don't take mine the wrong way

 

[VapidLapid]

The feeding is not the offensive thing. Kids can be picky and anything that works is ok, BUT displaying it for the world to watch as though it is something cute that baby has learned is for me right up there with posting you tube videos of diaper changings and reading the contents like tea leaves.

 

[iLander]

It's OK to be grossed out about this because I felt the same way once before. I remember witnessing this once and I was appalled. My mother started laughing and asked, "how do you think I fed you?" I never bird fed my kids but would eye my mother suspiciously when she was around. She thought the whole situation was comical to say the least
I am sure the Alicia Silverstone is aware that the traffic to her blog increased exponentially since she posted the video. I applaud her for being such a hands on mother even if her methods are unconvential. I am sure Bear will grow up to be alright regardless of how his mother fed him. Mainly due to the fact that his mother is attentive and present.
Parents today try to safeguard their children from every germ, sickness, and remotely dangerous situation. Its really sad because despite our efforts, this new generation is the first to have a lower life expectancy then the last. Giving advice (or criticism) on parenting is always a sensitive issue. I don't take any of the comments personally and hope that others don't take mine the wrong way

The first part made me laugh out loud. Moms love to freak out their kids, it's one of our few pleasures.

You know, you're right, akmiss. There's no doubt that she is involved with her kids, and that is really rare, especially in hollywood. I often wonder how much "mommy time" Angelina's kids have, if they each have their own nanny (I thought I read that somewhere). So points for her on that.

I also agree with the point about germs. Some scientists are saying our kids don't have nearly the immunities that earlier generations did. I used to play outside in the dirt and come in covered with dirt, sweat, leaves, and god knows what else.

Wait . . . I still do that! It's called "gardening" now.

 

[Laila619]

I just would really be worried about my kid getting dental cavities from me. For that reason, I wouldn't do it. Even assuming one practices really good oral hygiene, there is still a risk.

 

[Autumnovember]

Alicia Silverstone's response:

“I wasn’t saying this was anything somebody should do. I wasn’t trying to be independent or cause such a ruckus. I’m very glad that I did it. People have been feeding their kids that way for thousands for years. It’s a weaning process. It’s just a thing that has been going on for thousands of years and I didn’t think I was inventing anything.

Honestly, when I posted the video I was not thinking, so maybe I was like Cher. I think it’s adorable and it makes me laugh every time he does it. Every time my husband [Christopher Jarecki] goes to the YMCA, some guy comes over and says, ‘That’s how we do it in the South.' Between him getting those great comments and me knowing in my gut it’s natural and lovely, I really wasn’t trying to tell anybody what to do.”





---->

 

[ForteKitty]

What's wrong with her response?

 

[Imdanny]

Any bacteria or viruses that transmit through saliva could transmit from the mother to the child.

I'm going to have to be a no vote on bird feeding.

I can't believe we're (in this country) even talking about bird feeding. WTF?

 

[Autumnovember]

What's wrong with her response?

That when she posted the video, she "wasn't thinking." Right, ok.

 

[ForteKitty]

She probably thought the video was cute. I thought it was kinda cute. I wouldn't feed my kid like that, but who cares what she does?

Re: viruses and bacteria- The kid's gotta build up his immune system somehow. He's probably going to grow up to be a lot healthier than a lot of kids whose parents kept their kids in a lysol bubble.

 

[Autumnovember]

She probably thought the video was cute. I thought it was kinda cute. I wouldn't feed my kid like that, but who cares what she does?

Re: viruses and bacteria- The kid's gotta build up his immune system somehow. He's probably going to grow up to be a lot healthier than a lot of kids whose parents kept their kids in a lysol bubble.

Kid's immune systems are way different than an adults, they shouldn't be building up their immune system through the bacteria of their mother.

 

[MissStepcut]

She probably thought the video was cute. I thought it was kinda cute. I wouldn't feed my kid like that, but who cares what she does?

Re: viruses and bacteria- The kid's gotta build up his immune system somehow. He's probably going to grow up to be a lot healthier than a lot of kids whose parents kept their kids in a lysol bubble.

Kid's immune systems are way different than an adults, they shouldn't be building up their immune system through the bacteria of their mother.

Isn't that exactly how young kids are exposed to bacteria? Whatever's in their home/on their immediate family? How else would they be building up their immune system?

 

[partgypsy]

I didn't watch the video (no thank you) but in general she is feeding her kid a healthy diet and is attentive and loving. That is far more important than all the details (I don't worry about Alicia Silverstone or her child not having access to good dental care). And as far as ostracism, or being judged etc, bear is a celebrity kid. This kids life already IS different than 99% of the people out there.

The only thing I identify with is my mom was a teacher, and often would tell anecdotes about her children to her students. And she would come home and tell us how she was telling a story about this or that embarrassing thing and we would go MOM, don't do that! We didn't like her doing that. But if she thought it was a funny story it was fair game.

Sometimes I've taken a funny picture of my kids or them goofing in the bath or walking around wearing their underwear backwards but would NEVER share it publically.

 

[ForteKitty]

She probably thought the video was cute. I thought it was kinda cute. I wouldn't feed my kid like that, but who cares what she does?

Re: viruses and bacteria- The kid's gotta build up his immune system somehow. He's probably going to grow up to be a lot healthier than a lot of kids whose parents kept their kids in a lysol bubble.

Kid's immune systems are way different than an adults, they shouldn't be building up their immune system through the bacteria of their mother.

Isn't that exactly how young kids are exposed to bacteria? Whatever's in their home/on their immediate family? How else would they be building up their immune system?

That's what I thought too? If it was really dangerous, all the wanna-be-"celebrity" doctors would have been all over it, denouncing her as a terrible mom and rolemodel.

 

[Autumnovember]

She probably thought the video was cute. I thought it was kinda cute. I wouldn't feed my kid like that, but who cares what she does?

Re: viruses and bacteria- The kid's gotta build up his immune system somehow. He's probably going to grow up to be a lot healthier than a lot of kids whose parents kept their kids in a lysol bubble.

Kid's immune systems are way different than an adults, they shouldn't be building up their immune system through the bacteria of their mother.

Isn't that exactly how young kids are exposed to bacteria? Whatever's in their home/on their immediate family? How else would they be building up their immune system?

Actually there's a lot of factors involved in that, like I said a child's immune system is not the same of an adults and a mother can MUCH MORE easily pass on something to her child that he/she isn't capable of handling. Why even risk it?

 

[Autumnovember]

She probably thought the video was cute. I thought it was kinda cute. I wouldn't feed my kid like that, but who cares what she does?

Re: viruses and bacteria- The kid's gotta build up his immune system somehow. He's probably going to grow up to be a lot healthier than a lot of kids whose parents kept their kids in a lysol bubble.

Kid's immune systems are way different than an adults, they shouldn't be building up their immune system through the bacteria of their mother.

Isn't that exactly how young kids are exposed to bacteria? Whatever's in their home/on their immediate family? How else would they be building up their immune system?

That's what I thought too? If it was really dangerous, all the wanna-be-"celebrity" doctors would have been all over it, denouncing her as a terrible mom and rolemodel.

Forte, I think mostly everyone agreed that is not -really- dangerous and it comes down to opinion. *MY* personal opinion, based on my own knowledge from nursing school, is that its an added risk of infection. So I'm not for it. Also, I still think her response is stupid.

 

[ForteKitty]

Also, I still think her response is stupid.

Sounds like you just dont like her so everything she says/does annoys you.

 

[Autumnovember]

Also, I still think her response is stupid.

Sounds like you just dont like her so everything she says/does annoys you.

Actually, I really like her as an actress - thanks for the assumption though!

 

[partgypsy]

I remember my Dad telling me (when he was growing up in rural Greece) that if an old person wanted to eat a certain food such as meat and had no teeth, someone (usually the daughter or daughter in law) would chew up the food and give it to the person (probably just put on a plate not mouth to mouth).

I mean, this is not going to be some fad that sweeps the nation. Why do we care so much?

 

[Autumnovember]

I remember my Dad telling me that if an old person wanted to eat a certain food such as meat and had no teeth, someone (usually the daughter or daughter in law) would chew up the food and give it to the person (probably just put on a plate not mouth to mouth).

I mean, this is not going to be some fad that sweeps the nation. Why do we care so much?

I don't think its a matter of caring as much as it SURPRISING since that's not something that most people are exposed to...and I'm sure the way people view autonomy varies tremendously from person to person and that in itself is a factor in someones opinion about it.

 

[Laila619]

She probably thought the video was cute. I thought it was kinda cute. I wouldn't feed my kid like that, but who cares what she does?

Re: viruses and bacteria- The kid's gotta build up his immune system somehow. He's probably going to grow up to be a lot healthier than a lot of kids whose parents kept their kids in a lysol bubble.

Building up the immune system is one thing. Transmitting bacteria that can cause dental decay is another thing entirely.

 

[Autumnovember]

Where did I relate bacteria to dental decay? It isn't just ONE problem that I see with it, there are many. I'm not asking any of you to accept my opinion and most of all this has absolutely nothing to do with her as a person and if I like her, if it did I would come out and say it. She is a celebrity!!!

 

[Lottie]

On a day to day basis, caring for a very small child would involve plenty of bacteria sharing. Lolly/ice cream/apple/any kind of food sharing is generally a back and forth activity as the child tries to get you to 'taste' theirs or you taste theirs. Testing if a food is too hot is usually done by touching it to your lips, big slobbery kisses, licking a tissue to wipe a grubby mouth in the absence of a cloth or wet wipe. I could go on but I know its boring and to be honest I think the big rucus about a mother sharing bacteria with her son is a trifle dramatic.

 

[Autumnovember]

On a day to day basis, caring for a very small child would involve plenty of bacteria sharing. Lolly/ice cream/apple/any kind of food sharing is generally a back and forth activity as the child tries to get you to 'taste' theirs or you taste theirs. Testing if a food is too hot is usually done by touching it to your lips, big slobbery kisses, licking a tissue to wipe a grubby mouth in the absence of a cloth or wet wipe. I could go on but I know its boring and to be honest I think the big rucus about a mother sharing bacteria with her son is a trifle dramatic.

Here are my problems with this entire scenario:

1. Why did she post the video? Was it for attention? If it was, she definitely got it and knew she would get it that's why it bothers me that she tried to say she "wasn't thinking." That's just SCREAMS BS to me.

2. Why does she feel this is a way to bond with her child? Even if it's for bonding purposes as she say's, it's still unclear to me why she would post something like that for the world to see, on a website that clearly gets a decent amount of traffic.

3. How often is she doing this? This, above all, is what I'm wondering most because it would possibly change my opinion about this.

4. Autonomy - I don't think that doing this is a good way to promote that, especially as the child gets older because thats HUGE to school-age children. If she wants the food to be softer for her kiddo, use a blender!

5. How long is she going to do this for? My issue is because of the reason above.

6. Immune system - we know kids are very much more susceptible to getting sick for a lot of different reasons, why add an additional factor to that?

7. Dental - It COULD be bad depending on how often she does it

8. Bacteria - again, I still don't think its necessary to add another risk to the already very many kids are surrounded by.

Like I said, you don't have to agree with me, I'm not asking you to. I'm trained very heavily to PREVENT, PREVENT, PREVENT and so I don't believe as a parent someday, I would do this.

Also, I did research this after I posted it and there ARE benefits to feeding this way but it doesn't mean I have to agree with the act of it.

 

[Lottie]

On a day to day basis, caring for a very small child would involve plenty of bacteria sharing. Lolly/ice cream/apple/any kind of food sharing is generally a back and forth activity as the child tries to get you to 'taste' theirs or you taste theirs. Testing if a food is too hot is usually done by touching it to your lips, big slobbery kisses, licking a tissue to wipe a grubby mouth in the absence of a cloth or wet wipe. I could go on but I know its boring and to be honest I think the big rucus about a mother sharing bacteria with her son is a trifle dramatic.

Here are my problems with this entire scenario:

1. Why did she post the video? Was it for attention? If it was, she definitely got it and knew she would get it that's why it bothers me that she tried to say she "wasn't thinking." That's just SCREAMS BS to me.

2. Why does she feel this is a way to bond with her child? Even if it's for bonding purposes as she say's, it's still unclear to me why she would post something like that for the world to see, on a website that clearly gets a decent amount of traffic.

3. How often is she doing this? This, above all, is what I'm wondering most because it would possibly change my opinion about this.

4. Autonomy - I don't think that doing this is a good way to promote that, especially as the child gets older because thats HUGE to school-age children. If she wants the food to be softer for her kiddo, use a blender!

5. How long is she going to do this for? My issue is because of the reason above.

6. Immune system - we know kids are very much more susceptible to getting sick for a lot of different reasons, why add an additional factor to that?

7. Dental - It COULD be bad depending on how often she does it

8. Bacteria - again, I still don't think its necessary to add another risk to the already very many kids are surrounded by.

Like I said, you don't have to agree with me, I'm not asking you to. I'm trained very heavily to PREVENT, PREVENT, PREVENT and so I don't believe as a parent someday, I would do this.

Also, I did research this after I posted it and there ARE benefits to feeding this way but it doesn't mean I have to agree with the act of it.

AN I completely agree with you on a lot of the points. I have assumed that this is not her main method of weaning and that its something she does when she is eating her food and wants to share with him, Its not something I would do either. But I don't believe in a healthy mother and child that this prevents any great risk, also if he is still being breast fed he is covered by her immunity anyway.

The world would be a boring place if we all agreed on everything

 

[monarch64]

I think we live in a time of oversharing, not to mention Silverstone has been a celebrity for oh, around 20-some years now and she probably thinks nothing of putting her kid and her habits in the public eye. I wouldn't do it, but that's just me, she's the one who posted the video and has to live with the consequences i.e. judgment.

I am probably more relaxed about this kind of thing than some...I grew up with a mother who also had medical training and was a fan of "prevent, prevent, prevent." Everything was bleached, scrubbed, food never left out, nothing ever expired, no fast food, no non-nutritious breakfast cereals, no cable t.v., no wet bathing suits, on and on and on. We spent as much time as we possibly could outside getting dirty to make up for it. I think you sort of develop your own middle ground between extremes when you become a parent. You really can't keep that kid in a bubble, but obviously you don't want him getting sick either.

As far as autonomy...have you done any reading/research on attachment parenting, AN? It's very interesting all the different schools of thought out there. Silverstone is quite health-conscious. I just can't imagine her using certain methods that might actually harm her child's development or make him ill in any way.

I wonder what her next move career-wise will be? Or what does she already have in the works? She certainly has us talking about her again, doesn't she!?

 

[Autumnovember]

On a day to day basis, caring for a very small child would involve plenty of bacteria sharing. Lolly/ice cream/apple/any kind of food sharing is generally a back and forth activity as the child tries to get you to 'taste' theirs or you taste theirs. Testing if a food is too hot is usually done by touching it to your lips, big slobbery kisses, licking a tissue to wipe a grubby mouth in the absence of a cloth or wet wipe. I could go on but I know its boring and to be honest I think the big rucus about a mother sharing bacteria with her son is a trifle dramatic.

Here are my problems with this entire scenario:

1. Why did she post the video? Was it for attention? If it was, she definitely got it and knew she would get it that's why it bothers me that she tried to say she "wasn't thinking." That's just SCREAMS BS to me.

2. Why does she feel this is a way to bond with her child? Even if it's for bonding purposes as she say's, it's still unclear to me why she would post something like that for the world to see, on a website that clearly gets a decent amount of traffic.

3. How often is she doing this? This, above all, is what I'm wondering most because it would possibly change my opinion about this.

4. Autonomy - I don't think that doing this is a good way to promote that, especially as the child gets older because thats HUGE to school-age children. If she wants the food to be softer for her kiddo, use a blender!

5. How long is she going to do this for? My issue is because of the reason above.

6. Immune system - we know kids are very much more susceptible to getting sick for a lot of different reasons, why add an additional factor to that?

7. Dental - It COULD be bad depending on how often she does it

8. Bacteria - again, I still don't think its necessary to add another risk to the already very many kids are surrounded by.

Like I said, you don't have to agree with me, I'm not asking you to. I'm trained very heavily to PREVENT, PREVENT, PREVENT and so I don't believe as a parent someday, I would do this.

Also, I did research this after I posted it and there ARE benefits to feeding this way but it doesn't mean I have to agree with the act of it.

AN I completely agree with you on a lot of the points. I have assumed that this is not her main method of weaning and that its something she does when she is eating her food and wants to share with him, Its not something I would do either. But I don't believe in a healthy mother and child that this prevents any great risk, also if he is still being breast fed he is covered by her immunity anyway.

The world would be a boring place if we all agreed on everything

Definitely true about the breastfeeding. I did see in some of the research that pre-mastication possibly helps boost immunity but theres no proof in any of that yet. Who knows. I definitely don't think its putting the child at GREAT risk or anything, just -a- risk that I guess I don't think it needed.

 

[Autumnovember]

I think we live in a time of oversharing, not to mention Silverstone has been a celebrity for oh, around 20-some years now and she probably thinks nothing of putting her kid and her habits in the public eye. I wouldn't do it, but that's just me, she's the one who posted the video and has to live with the consequences i.e. judgment.

Agreed, you're absolutely right.

I am probably more relaxed about this kind of thing than some...I grew up with a mother who also had medical training and was a fan of "prevent, prevent, prevent." Everything was bleached, scrubbed, food never left out, nothing ever expired, no fast food, no non-nutritious breakfast cereals, no cable t.v., no wet bathing suits, on and on and on. We spent as much time as we possibly could outside getting dirty to make up for it. I think you sort of develop your own middle ground between extremes when you become a parent. You really can't keep that kid in a bubble, but obviously you don't want him getting sick either.

All true too. I'm not extreme just yet, haha - we'll see how it turns out!!

As far as autonomy...have you done any reading/research on attachment parenting, AN? It's very interesting all the different schools of thought out there. Silverstone is quite health-conscious. I just can't imagine her using certain methods that might actually harm her child's development or make him ill in any way.

Never any research on attachment parenting but I would definitely be very open to reading about it for sure. I just learned a lot about autonomy and the importance of it in school-aged children in my Pediatrics class (MY HARDEST CLASS!!)

I wonder what her next move career-wise will be? Or what does she already have in the works? She certainly has us talking about her again, doesn't she!?

Sure does I really, really like her...would love to see a new movie with her. OooO she would be perfect to play Anastasia Steel for Fifty Shades of Grey

 

[Imdanny]

There's a form of hepatitis that can be transmitted through saliva. Are we to assume that Alica Silverstone doesn't have hepatitis because she's a celebrity? In the scheme things this whole thing is a case of a rich, famous, and eccentric person acting like one. So be it, but I'm allowed to have an opinion about it.

 

[ForteKitty]

You really think she would do that if she knew she had it? Aren't most people vaccinated these days?

I guess parents shouldn't kiss their kids either. Next time someone kisses their kids in public, i'm going to go yell at them.