You're right. I assumed she was using the term "babies" in the broad sense (!) in which people often refer to all little humans.
Speaking of sweet potatoes, I should get going on my own before the morning's gone.
Yes, but I think it's ideological, too ... "little bitty babies" safely in the custody of the loving State ...
In Michelle's culture, of course, it seems offspring are "babies" until their first felony conviction as an adult.