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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to think you don't 'buy in' Coca Cola for an 18mo?

77 replies

MortifiedAdams · 28/05/2013 18:02

Even if it IS the Zero one, and try and justify it by saying "well, it IS sugar and caffeine free"

MIL who I like and who adores my DD. All dd drinks is water. DH has promised that she wont give any to DD (MIL has two grandchildren both 18mo) obviously SIL doesnt mind her DS having it which I just do not understand.

OP posts:
musicmadness · 28/05/2013 18:24

I don't see a problem TBH. You've said you don't want your DC to be given coke, your DH has presumably clarified this with your MIL and has confirmed that she won't give him any. Unless you think she is going to try and sneak some behind your back it's problem solved surely?

If your SIL is happy for her DC to have coke then that's her decision, and I personally don't see anything wrong with it. I doubt they will be drinking it in huge quantities in any case.

justabigdisco · 28/05/2013 18:25

I love proper Coke and drink a fair bit, and I'm not precious about giving my 18mo occasional juice/squash. But I do draw the line at giving her Coke! Just seems wrong!

cory · 28/05/2013 18:28

It's not exactly a drink you can lay down, is it, like the bottle of port my FIL laid down at ds' christening to be opened on his 18th birthday?

LittleprincessinGOLDrocks · 28/05/2013 18:33

YANBU.
Children don't need caffeine, especially toddlers. Nor do they need artificial sweeteners.
I won't let my children have aspartame, so I would not be impressed if my kids were drinking anything with aspartame in. I'm lucky in that my in laws (all be it with rolly eyes at me) respect my wishes and only offer fresh juice or water.
My Sister does let her children have coke and has done so since they were toddlers. Her choice at the end of the day, but she knows better than to offer it to my kids lol.

loofet · 28/05/2013 18:36

A drink of coke won't kill a toddler but neither will hitting them, still doesn't make it right. YANBU, wouldn't give that ghastly stuff to a dog let alone a child. Gross.

threesypeesy · 28/05/2013 18:39

Yes because a drink of coke is equal to being hit Confused

For god sake your dds are not getting it and its none of your business what your sil gives her dcs!!

OxfordBags · 28/05/2013 18:40

OP, I would judge someone who gave their 18mo a drink packed with artificial sweeteners and caffeine. I know there's some MNers who will call you precious and pretentious if you don't let your kids have any old crap just to prove how cool and slummy-mummy you are, but meh. It's a shit drink for anyone of any age.

Still, as long as they don't give some to your DD (or make this some frustrating ongoing issue - why do some people get so worked up insisting that tiny tots need to consume rubbish?! Talk about justifying their own food issues), and no-one's judging out loud on either side, things should be cool.

AKissIsNotAContract · 28/05/2013 18:42

YANBU. Even though it's sugar free it still harms the teeth. I'm a dentist and frequently have to refer children under 3 to have teeth extracted under GA because 'they will only drink coke'.

ilovecolinfirth · 28/05/2013 18:46

I would judge too. Any fizzy drink is bad. Also, there's nothing wrong with the occasional juice but really the longer they can stay on water and milk the better.

Xmasbaby11 · 28/05/2013 18:46

YANBU. Very artificial drink - way too young for that.

smokinaces · 28/05/2013 18:48

I don't allow my six and five year olds coke. More for the caffeine. They are allowed lemonade very occasionally. As they are apple juice and squash. They drink a lot of water.

I also don't want them having alcohol. But their uncle at a bbq they went to with their dad Saturday let them have sips of beer. I just have to shrug that one off, I wasn't there, was their dads decision and at five its not illegal. And I'm sure I was around that age when I had v v v v weak shandies tbh.

whitecloud · 28/05/2013 18:49

Many years ago I saw some mothers with very young children giving them huge cardboard cups of Coke and then telling them off for not eating their dinners. My mother always said that fizzy drinks fill small children up too much so they can't eat their food. Think it's true. I never allowed the stuff because it is so ruinous for teeth - my dd doesn't like it at all now. I only allowed fizzy drinks on special occasions later on. YANBU.

catgirl1976 · 28/05/2013 18:59

I'd judge someone who gave Coke to a young child or toddler. Sorry but I would.

I would also be baffled as to why you would give caffeine to a toddler, unless you were about to leave them for the night with someone you strongly dislked

Lamazeroo · 28/05/2013 19:02

OP I'm with you. I fiercely judge anyone who thinks it's okay to give their children that shit.

LedaOfSparta · 28/05/2013 19:04

Bizarre! Absolutely no need to give a baby coke. Mundane you, my 8 and 6yr olds have never tried a fizzy drink so I might be a bit extreme too!

flowery · 28/05/2013 19:10

I drink loads of coke myself but DS1&2 have never had it, and I struggle to understand the decision-making process involved in giving it to an 18mo. I mean, why on earth would you? Confused

MrsHelsBels74 · 28/05/2013 19:12

My 3yo hasn't tried coca cola yet (as far as I know) so I do think 18 months is early, but each to their own. He does refuse water though & will only drink pink milk or squash (thanks MIL)

Pobblewhohasnotoes · 28/05/2013 19:18

As a paeds nurse I've done plenty of dental lists where young children have had up to 16 teeth removed because they drink fizzy rubbish. So yes I will judge, it's totally irresponsible.

littlewhitebag · 28/05/2013 19:24

I think i am pretty tolerant all round but i do not think coke of any kind is right for an 18 month old child. Our DD 2 once had some on holiday when she was 2 and a half. (disclaimer DD 1 was around 8 and had got some as a treat and gave some to DD2) What a nightmare we had getting her to sleep. She didn't get any again for a very very long time!

RenterNomad · 28/05/2013 19:25

Children who "only drink" squash, or whatever, do strongly indicate to me that palates can be skewed, especially so young. I would judge, too.

MrsHelsBels74 · 28/05/2013 19:38

We never used to give DS1 squash or pink milk but MiL did & eventually DS1 just refused water or plain milk. Then he got D & V & I was grateful to get him to drink anything so gave in. Now he just refuses water or plain milk & at 3.4 I don't know how to tackle it.
I know you'll say if he's thirsty he'll drink but I don't like water either & will stay thirsty myself rather than drink water (stupid I know)

mumofweeboys · 28/05/2013 19:42

My reason is completely selfish. My dc's are hyper enough without caffine.

Mintyy · 28/05/2013 19:43

I completely judge people who give their children diet fizzy drinks. No problem with being judgey about that at all!

Your mil sounds unbelievably ignorant.

Pandemoniaa · 28/05/2013 19:44

I'm totally intolerant about small children drinking fizzy shyte. There's absolutely no need for it. So YA definitely NBU.

IneedAsockamnesty · 28/05/2013 19:50

A 7 year old I know apparently only drinks coke or j2o yet every time I ask her what drink she wants she asks for water.

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