Going back to work and leaving my baby with my MIL/FIL

I’d be furious - your baby, your rules! Will your other half say anything? I’d probably be quite open seeing as it’s a tough time dealing with going back to work and say if you can’t follow the rules then we will find alternative childcare x

I would only use professional care apart from my own parents as I think they are the only ones that listen . Xxx

How old is he? You need to make boundaries

tell her there are studies to show children these days (including your own!) cannot have more than 2grams of sugar a day… make them believe it and try to prove you wrong.
i definitely don’t follow this rule but if you can phrase it in a critical manner maybe they will get it through their skull
. keep things positive and neutral though since they’re helping out. just kindly remind them that the person putting that baby to sleep will reap the consequences of sugar given that day. encourage them to give baby fresh fruits and snacks instead of sugar rush and empty calories

Thanks all he’s 8 months old, and I can’t afford to put him in nursery next month as it’s £750 for two days a week. It’s tough that’s the only option I’ve got for childcare and I’m so worried, she’s stubborn and thinks it’s her own baby when she has him

Yeah I wouldn’t be comfortable leaving my child with anyone but professional childcare as they just ignore you and assume they know better. Nobody in my family will be looking after my child alone until maybe 4-5 years old minimum.

Can you explain to her that you're really very grateful for the childcare support but that because it's a weekly occurrence it needs to be a little bit different than if she was seeing little one on the occasional date and giving him a treat? You can explain the sort of things he might love at home e.g. plain full fat yogurt, fruit etc which is still a "treat" for him but much healthier than the alternatives that she wants him to try. There's absolutely no need for him to have foods full of sugar and salt, it can cause damage meaning he might not be able to enjoy these things when he's older and will actually appreciate them more. Could you contact some local nurseries for menu examples maybe and show what they're serving? (Although I find ours is a little less healthy than what I do at home it's decent) Can you provide all the food when you drop him off? Unfortunately you can't police her but because you don't have much choice you can just try your best to make her understand why it's important.

Exposing him to excess sweetness early on does create problems later like tooth decay and obesity. Definitely set boundaries with the in-laws before this is a habit. The suggestion above to bring all his food for the day is brilliant.

Will you qualify for the funded childcare hours?

I agree with the above comments, Pack baby’s food daily or stock her fridge/ cupboard with your approved essentials