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Talk to others about child development and behaviour stages here. You can find more information on our development calendar.

Behaviour/development

toddler and alchohol

15 replies

takingturns · 11/02/2008 20:40

I recently saw a friend offering his toddler sips from his can of beer. What would you do in this situation?

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whomovedmychocolate · 11/02/2008 20:43

Blimey - apart from asking him what the hell he thought he was doing? Alcohol is toxic to kids.

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AdamAnt · 11/02/2008 20:45

DH allows our DCs to scoop a bit of froth off his beer or stick their finger in his wine for a taste. It's not going to kill them.

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AdamAnt · 11/02/2008 20:47

In fact as long as it's just a sip I think it's a good idea to let them try it. It takes away some of the mystique around alcohol, and IMO makes them less likely to go bananas about it when they are older.

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lucyellensmum · 11/02/2008 21:04

I would be very upset that i wasnt being offered a sip!! I have given my DD sips of beer and wine, you know what, she doesn't like it. I also come from a generation who's parents thought it ok to dip the dummy in brandy to help with teething!!!

Although this does remind me of my friends 40th birthday party, where some random guy (close friend of my friend so hosting party) gave my 11 year old daughter a bottle of bacardi breezer - i was sooooo unimpressed it was untrue! Needless to say, i returned the bottle and said thanks but no thanks.

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whomovedmychocolate · 11/02/2008 21:26

Are you lot taking the piss? Seriously, toddlers life.familyeducation.com/toddler/safety/42326.html

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takingturns · 11/02/2008 21:37

The toddler is only just over one years old so I can't think that it's helping them get over the mystique surrounding alcohol. I don't why he's doing it - to keep the kid quiet and manageable maybe? What the heck should I say? PS My parents let me have v.watered down weak wine on special occasions from the age of eight and both me and my sibling have v.healthy attitudes to drinking - so it can help at that age...

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AdamAnt · 11/02/2008 21:38

WMMC - nope I'm not taking the piss. Our DCs see us having wine or beer as part of our meal and they are curious about it, so we have occasionally let them have a sip. The amount of alcohol in a sip of beer/wine is negligible.

I note that the article you refer to is American. They do tend to be a bit puritanical about alcohol over there. The M.D. answering the question explains that two ounces might take a 28lb child's blood alcohol level over the safe drink drive limit. Two ounces is really quite a lot!

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cory · 12/02/2008 08:10

Well, I'm all for letting my dc's having a sip of wine, but then we're talking of school-aged children. I don't think this is at all appropriate for a 1-year-old. I doubt it's going to teach them much about safe drinking at that age and there is always a risk that they will accidentally get a larger sip than you intended.

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Piggy · 12/02/2008 08:14

What did you do about it taking turns? Did you say anything/do anything? Or keep quiet?

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NAB3wishesfor2008 · 12/02/2008 09:37

Some people. 1 year old having beer?????

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bigbadwulf · 12/02/2008 14:14

This reply has been deleted

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moonstruck · 12/02/2008 14:22

wulf- what is the point of giving a 5 yr old alcohol? Just becuase some arcane law says it is legal after 5?
I would give them watered down wine when they 10 or so but at 5 whats the point

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whomovedmychocolate · 12/02/2008 19:32

I'm assuming you also give them a few drags on your cigarette 'so they can join in'

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needmorecoffee · 12/02/2008 19:41

I thought it was illegal to give under 5's alcohol. Alcohol is toxic and children's livers are not up to metabolising it. Stupid thing to do.
And what would be wrong with teaching them alcohol isbad for you?

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takingturns · 12/02/2008 22:06

piggy - I didn't say anything as it took me a while to realise what he had just done - he did it while we were watching TV and kind of on the quiet which worries me even more about his motives. I just couldn't believe what he had just done - I once had a minor meltdown when my toddler took a huge swig of diet coke (yes I do know this is v sad)