What do you do about the little one wanting to eat/drink the same stuff as the big brother/sister?

[The Nappy Lady]

More and more these days Baby C is getting savvy to the fact that she has water where big sister has tasty juice, and is also much more aware for her age of stuff like biscuits and sweets etc. because her sister has them at times. At 17 months her big sister never even knew about this stuff! I find I alternate between thinking this is inevitible and nothing to worry about in moderation to feeling like a very bad Mummy for not putting my foot down more.

What do / did the rest of you do?

Should I be making my 5 year old hide under the stairs whilst enjoying the delights of a packet of chocolate buttons??!!!

Molly

[mumra]

I think mine have a similar age gap and I freely admit to the younger trying things alot earlier than the first, and me being more relaxed about it as well. Baby 2 is definitely a grazer and is happy with a tit bit here and there but am sad to say she has experienced a crisp or 2 already and undiluted apple juice- but she's so curious, it's hard to say no.... and also I have said to my eldest 'please don't eat in front of x or let her see that' which feels a bit like I am encouraging her to be sneaky and not share from early on. Saying that no 2 still wolfs down 3 hefty meals in the day so can't be affecting her too much. Hey ho, it's easy to feel the guilt when it comes to children and food isn't it?

[hpsaucey]

Damn - got the same issue, but am too 'bad' a mum to worry about it really. Number 2 is so clued in to chocolate biscuits etc. BUT do ration it of course and he wolfs down fruit and veg at a rapid rate of knots so decided not to worry ... yet ... hhm.

[lillyanginger]

It went so far in our house that the little one refused food unless it came from his brothers plate...just to be sure he was having the same kind of food.

We decided not to worry too much. Honestly, he is now 8 and does not eat more sweets than his older brother. If anything, he eats less 'rubbish'.

You (realistically) won't be able to keep most of these foods away from your younger child, so moderation on all levels seems to be the way forward.