https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Wed, 06 May 2026 16:30:14 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-feel-about-food-bribes#post-1689122 Mon, 09 Jun 2014 13:33:19 +0000 lamariniere 1689122@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm not a huge fan of food bribes, but I do it sometimes. Whatever works, right? What if you slowly decreased the number of Cheerios? Like 5 for a few days then 3 then 1 then none? And make a big deal about counting them out?If she's not eating many anyways, maybe she would be ok with it? That's kind of how I did it with potty training M&amp;MS and it worked. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-feel-about-food-bribes#post-1689094 Mon, 09 Jun 2014 13:21:05 +0000 Andrea 1689094@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I am not a fan, but have done it for a special occasion. Like getting a picture with Santa. I know, really important stuff, but it worked. ;-)</p> <p>But maybe I am just dumb. I probably spent at least 6 months wrestling DD into her car seat after daycare pick ups while watching other parents turn on their car DVD players and driving away. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-feel-about-food-bribes#post-1689084 Mon, 09 Jun 2014 13:13:44 +0000 Mamaof2 1689084@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think its fine - eventually you move on to verbal praise and they comply for that :happy: </p> <p>As an example I used M&amp;M's when PT'ing my kids...... they don't expect them anymore when they pee :silly: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-feel-about-food-bribes#post-1689075 Mon, 09 Jun 2014 13:07:17 +0000 MamaG 1689075@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@sunny: How old is your LO? We use food on occasion, but not with consistency. My girl likes to take objects with her (stuffed animal, toy, book, etc.), I let her and it sits on the floor of the car until she is strapped in. Then she can have the object. It means my car is full of stuff quickly. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-feel-about-food-bribes#post-1689067 Mon, 09 Jun 2014 13:01:23 +0000 Mrs. Pen 1689067@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I personally not a fan... I've been trying to get myself out of thinking of food as rewards because for me personally I feel it lends itself to some unhealthy eating habits/unhealthy relationship with food.</p> <p>Instead I try to use things like stickers or playing with special toys in the car... I don't mind giving him food in the car, but not particularly as a bribe.</p> <p>You have to do what works for you though and if you feel okay with it, don't feel badly :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-feel-about-food-bribes#post-1689030 Mon, 09 Jun 2014 12:37:07 +0000 sunny 1689030@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I don't know if this makes a difference, but in the morning, she'll have already finished her breakfast before we head out to daycare (so I don't think its replacing any breakfast calories) and in the evening, it's around 5 and we don't eat dinner until nearly 7, so she probably needs a snack then anyway (though daycare will give them a small snack at 5-ish as well). I've noticed sometimes she'll just have a few Cheerios and then doesn't want anymore from the container.</p> <p>@hilsy85: Those are good ideas to try! I will try those tomorrow and see if they work, or if it just delays the inevitable :-) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-feel-about-food-bribes#post-1689028 Mon, 09 Jun 2014 12:36:33 +0000 autumnlove 1689028@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I don't like regular food bribes but DH uses them pretty frequently. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-feel-about-food-bribes#post-1689023 Mon, 09 Jun 2014 12:33:32 +0000 mediagirl 1689023@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm fine with it for now. There are some times that I just need her to get out of daycare, get into the car, etc. Food works for us in those situations.</p> <p>We have found that food doesn't help when she's having epic meltdowns. I've attempted to direct her attention elsewhere with applesauce or blueberries and it just doesn't work. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-feel-about-food-bribes#post-1689021 Mon, 09 Jun 2014 12:32:47 +0000 looch 1689021@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I am pretty much in the no food bribes camp, because my son will literally not be satisfied with what I give him and it causes more problems at mealtime. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-feel-about-food-bribes#post-1689018 Mon, 09 Jun 2014 12:30:32 +0000 hilsy85 1689018@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Meh I'm ok with it when it's necessary...I often have to bribe LO to get into the stroller with a snack. My rules are just that it has to be around snack time (i.e. he can't have just had a snack and then gets another one for getting into the stroller) and it has to be a healthy snack that he would be getting anyway. I try not to do it all the time, but sometimes he is throwing a tantrum and we have places to be!</p> <p>ETA would something liek a sticker or hand stamp work instead of food? I don't know how I would feel if my LO EXPECTED something when he got into the stroller, you know? I might feel differently about the issue. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-feel-about-food-bribes#post-1688989 Mon, 09 Jun 2014 12:17:31 +0000 sunny 1688989@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>For the past few weeks LO hasn't wanted to get in the car seat at all and will throw a major tantrum when I try to buckle her in. </p> <p>We tried distracting with Cheerios and this seems to help. She doesn't tantrum anymore and I can get her in the carseat quickly and buckled in tightly without any major complaints. The problem is, now she expects the Cheerios whenever we get in the car. I am not sure how I feel about this "bribe". </p> <p>What do you all think? Is it harmless that she's expecting Cheerios in the car? Or should I try to put an end to the expectation of Cheerios in the car? </p>