[Betty_D]

I've been around EB long enough to know that it can be a bit hit and miss when it comes to M&CH nurses. I've been lucky to have wonderful nurses in my local area, however my friend who lives elsewhere seems to have drawn a short straw.

Her bub is 4 months old and has just started solids. Her nurse told her that it is important that she adds table salt to her baby's purees or to rice cereal, as it's vital that her kidneys adapt to processing salt from an early age.

I should add that the baby has no medical issues / reasons etc for needing salt.

I'm just speechless. I tried explaining that her bub doesn't need it and that, if anything, she'll get exposure to salt in good time through bread / cheese etc without needing to actually add it to purees.

However, my friend is the type of person who takes medical opinions as gospel, and has followed the nurse's advice. I've suggested she give her paediatrician or local GP a call for a second opinion.

Has anyone else heard of this theory? Have I been living under an iodised rock? Or, is this nurse just downright silly?

[Swahili]

The nurse is an idiot and your friend should report her idiotic advice to someone higher up at the early childhood centre. And quit putting salt on her baby's food.

[katpaws]

A quick Google search comes up with plenty of baby information sites that say "no salt". I am sure that on the massive amount of baby information i received from the MCHN it said no salt. Maybe if you show your friend these sort of resources??

[WollongongGirl]

That is crazy! Here is a link from the NHS which gives good advice. Click here

[mommyoffour]

Good Lord! Way to give a baby kidney problems...

What Swahili said.

[suline]

I don't believe a child health nurse would ever say that!

[amabanana]

Is it possible (!?) that she misheard? That's ludicrous. Surely a MCHN would not spout such rubbish.... or would they? IMHO it is worth reporting so someone can set her straight.

[Diana_Barry]

Someone has misunderstood & got things backwards. Either the nurse or your friend.

[Betty_D]

That is crazy! Here is a link from the NHS which gives good advice. Click here

Thanks for the link, WollongongGirl. I'll definitely pass it on. I'm known to be quite retentive about my DS' salt / sugar intake, so it's nice to have something tangible to give her.

I don't believe a child health nurse would ever say that!

I wish I was joking! I'm tempted to report her, but who knows how seriously they'll take it given the comments weren't actually said to me. My friend certainly won't report it. If she speaks to her local GP, hopefully they will escalate it / speak directly to the nurse.

[JoMarch]

Is it possible (!?) that she misheard? That's ludicrous. Surely a MCHN would not spout such rubbish.... or would they? IMHO it is worth reporting so someone can set her straight.

My thoughts...maybe your friend mishead/misunderstood?? I really really hope a MCHN would not advise a parent to add salt to their babies food....AT 4 MONTHS OLD (or any age)!! Very strange if that was in fact her advise.