Would you give a child under the age of two soda (pop)?

Question

We were at a restaurant yesterday, and my MIL tried to give my 15-month-old some of her Sprite. I (hysterically [unfortunately]) said "No! She is not supposed to have soda!" To which my MIL indignantly replied, "But it is good for the stomach!"

She (the baby) does not have any health concerns, dietary or otherwise, so this was not because my daughter NEEDED any help. Grandma only WANTED to give her some because "she was pointing and hollin' (sic) for it."

I understand that carbonated liquids can aid in digestion. But I believe that the sugar content of soda negates any beneficial effect this may have. Besides, I DO NOT want my daughter to get used to such sugary tastes. And anyways, she is still so little, how smart is it to give her soda???

Answer 1

I didn't and I wouldn't.  A child doesn't need to get hooked on either the sugar or the caffeine.  I pretty much banned soft drinks from the house for several years.  As a result, my daughter prefers low-fat milk or bottled water and has never had a weight problem.

Answer 2

i would not maybe when you go out to eat every once in a while is ok. i give my 2 year old soda sometime not that often hes only had it a few time that was when we went out to eat. he does not get any at home.

Answer 3

I would never give soda to my two year old, BUT if my MIL offered her a sip at lunch, I would not freak out. Obviously, a sip of soda is not going to hurt her, and as long as you don't offer it to her or give it to her at home, she is going to be fine. Just CALMLY let your MIL know that you would like her to respect your wishes when it comes to the nutrition of your child (although you know in the back of your head she is giving it to her when you're not around, but let it go - so many more important things to worry about than a few sips of soda with grandma).

Answer 4

NO!  I wouldn't.  But as you know, many people would.  I let my daughter have juice, milk, and water.  I'm not fond of juice 'drinks' either, but due to being at the sitter's she occasionally gets those.  (things like Capri Sun, etc)  She is 4 now, and I just recently started letting her have things like pink lemonade if I make a container for myself.  And it was just recently when she went thru one of those really bad stomach viruses that I actually gave her some ginger ale, cuz my mom said it would help settle her stomach and she couldn't drink much else at that point.  Other than that, I still don't let her drink soda at 4.  There's no need for it that young.

Answer 5

A sip would not hurt her, but only a sip...but I would not give it to her all the time in a sippy cup.  You don't want your child to get addicted to the taste and only want soda...a sip at dinner would not hurt her, besides it was Sprite...which is also caffeine free.  

My mom gave my kids small sips (which at first I did not like), but they were only sips and they did not get addicted to sodas...my kids are 6 & 7 now...and they are fine and healthy.

Answer 6

I really don't like soda pop myself. We don't drink it, and do not let our young kids drink it either. Soda is terrible for the teeth, and recent studies are suggesting they can actually make the bones brittle.One can of soda has THIRTEEN teaspoons of sugar. Diet soda has aspartame.

Although I am sure they will have it sometime, we don't allow them to have it for as long as we will be able to. If you had let your mother in law give her some, then what would stop her from doing so other time--ecspecially when you are not around. At least you made your point clear that you do not want your child to have soda. Good for you.

Answer 7

I agree, our daughter is 13 months old and she does very well with a sippy cup and with straw drinking.  We give her about 1/4 cup of juice mixed with the rest of the cup full of water.  We have never given her soda but I know her grandmother, my MIL, has which ticks me off because she tries to hide it behind our backs.

Answer 8

No way! I will avoid giving my children soda as long as possible. My five-year-old has still never had any. I'm not obsessed and I know they'll have access to it at some point, but why make it available when you don't have to? The high fructose corn syrup they pass off as sugar is horrible, not to mention all the other unpronouncable ingredients.  I know my kids get stuff from Grandma that I wouldn't normally give them, but if I'm there I would say no thanks - and Grandma really should respect that.  

Answer 9

I do not see a problem with Soda. Especially Sprite. There is no caffeine in it. If I go to a restaurant I try to get my 12 months old milk or juice but if they don't have it, I give him sips of my diet coke or I have even got him his own sprite before.

But I wouldnt put it in a sippy cup unless i was out somewhere and that was the only thing possible to give him to drink...

I dont see why everyone is so overprotective over silly stuff like soda. Seriously. It's just soda. It's not drugs or even alcohol. It's soda.

Chill out. I have a seven year old and a one year old and they don't have any horrible affects from soda.  Sometimes parents need to relax a little.

Answer 10

I gave my 23 month old soda before. It was funny to see her little face scrunch up. It didn't hurt her. She don't get it much at all. As long as you don't give it to her everyday I think she will be ok. A few sips won't hurt her.

Answer 11

I don't see a problem with a few sips like in a restaurant or on the go but I wouldn't be putting it in a cup or bottle or an everyday thing

Answer 12

NO

It not good for anyone especially children . The carbonic acid can leach out valuable calcium form the bones and growing teeth.

The sugar or corn syrup can cause empty and unnecessary calories. That can cause weight gain and diabetes later in life.

Hold your ground its your child.

Answer 13

No my 19 month old is not aloud to have any soda and my MIL knows it.  

Answer 14

I agree with Amanda!  I see nothing wrong with a few sips here and there but I woudn't  go putting it in her sippy cup or anything.  to each its own.  just know that a few sips wont harm her.

Answer 15

You did the right thing.  We don't even allow my daughter to have juice yet and she's 16 months.  I would never give her soda!  

Answer 16

Out in a restaurant, a few sips won't hurt her. I don't give my 20 month old anything other than milk, water, juice, and iced tea. I know the tea has some sugar, but that's her treat. My bf drink mountain dew all the time and she's always trying to steal his glass, but she's not allowed. Too much caffeine. I do occasionally let her have root beer or sprite because it's caffeine free.  

Good luck!  

Answer 17

No!  Nor would I give it to a two-year-old!

Answer 18

Maybe give it  like half of the half of a cup to the max but its deffinatly not good for children.

Answer 19

I give my 18 month Sprite, but I dilute it with water.  He seems to enjoy it.  I don't see a problem with it as long as it's not done on a daily basis.

Answer 20

Ok, well first calm down. Soda is not crack, she wont get addicted from one sip! Second, tell your MIL that you dont give her soda because you dont want her to ask for it. If she doesnt know it exsists then she wont ask for it. I found that with little kids if you tell them something is "only for adults" somehow someway some of them accept it as fact....

Answer 21

Oh my goodness my MIL did the same thing to me numerous times! When my daughter was 9months old she got a flu. She had thrown up a few times. My MIL insisted on giving her Pepsi! idk about you but the last thing I want to drink in the midst of throwing up is Pepsi, right? I refused over and over, but to this day (my daughter is 3 now) she constantly offers her soda. I have explained kindly why its important to me that she offers MY daughter healthier drinks, so in front of me she wont give her soda. But I feel like shes waiting for me to walk out the door to throw her a Mountain Dew or something. My daughter begs to have soda at home, only on special occasions do I give in.(I water it down a bit) If I were you i would tell your mother in law to NEVER give your little one ANY soda, be nice but firm! Its no wonder my husband and his 3 sisters have the worst teeth ever and are terrified of the dentist.  

Answer 22

my daughter is 6.5yrs. and to this day she has not tasted soda. if she has enough time to ruin her own body, but for now no soda.