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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Giving a toddler alcohol!

101 replies

Cadburydelights · 04/04/2021 22:11

Well this isn't a Aibu really but today I witnessed my BIL giving my nephew who's 18 months a big swig of beer. He was about to give him another swig when I said did you just give him beer!! I can't remember what he said because I was just sat bemused!
I don't think this is the first time either. I thought it was odd my nephew walking around calling every drink he saw beer. I just think he was mistaken but now I think has BIL given him many swigs!
What would others do? I don't know if there's anything I can do really

OP posts:
WalkinginMemphis2 · 05/04/2021 13:37

I once witnessed a woman filling a toddler's bottle up with that Monster energy drink on a flight....this feels mild in comparison. I still wouldn't do it mind!

GreyhoundG1rl · 05/04/2021 13:38

@WalkinginMemphis2

I once witnessed a woman filling a toddler's bottle up with that Monster energy drink on a flight....this feels mild in comparison. I still wouldn't do it mind!
Shock. What is wrong with some people?
Joeblack066 · 05/04/2021 13:59

@inappropriateraspberry

Letting him have a taste of beer is a bit different to giving him his own glass of it! My son loves tasting daddy's beer. A sip once a month isn't going to turn him into an alcoholic toddler!
You really believe this?! Wow.
TheVampiresWife · 05/04/2021 14:09

I've got teens who have never sipped alcohol

I wouldn't bank on that if I were you Grin

LaganinaBubble · 05/04/2021 14:13

Letting him have a taste of beer is a bit different to giving him his own glass of it! My son loves tasting daddy's beer. A sip once a month isn't going to turn him into an alcoholic toddler

My concern is that once a month as a toddler is more likely to turn into one a week as a school child, then more frequently as a teenager. As a young teenager they'll be used to the taste of it so drinking one can won't be such a big deal.

Mittens030869 · 05/04/2021 14:14

My DM put a spot of red wine into my ribena when I was six and had chickenpox, to help me sleep. It was a one-off, though, and I think that was far more acceptable in those days (mid 1970s) than it is now.

But 18 months is a completely different matter and it appears likely that it wasn’t a one-off. So yes, I would mention it to your DSis.

Iggly · 05/04/2021 15:44

Alcohol is an addictive poison, like it or not. Giving your child alcohol regularly will built that craving from a young age.
It’s irresponsible

StealthPolarBear · 05/04/2021 15:50

What is wrong with some people?

florafoxtrot · 05/04/2021 15:56

This is horrifying! 18 months old?!

Did you speak to your DSIS?

B33Fr33 · 05/04/2021 16:41

My parents think they are fucking heroes for having frequently dipped my dummy in brandy or whisky when I was "colicky" having seen my parents call mild tears colic in my babies I'm fairly sure this was regularly. I did have some health problems that were resolved when I was removed from my parents as a toddler. I assume a connection

PerspicaciousGreen · 05/04/2021 16:55

I'm always fascinated by the "never did me any harm" brigade. I mean... maybe it did and you're just not very self-aware?

GreyhoundG1rl · 05/04/2021 17:00

@PerspicaciousGreen

I'm always fascinated by the "never did me any harm" brigade. I mean... maybe it did and you're just not very self-aware?
Me too. People survive all sorts of things by dint of sheer good luck, not because the risk isn't actually there to begin with.
Superfoodie123 · 05/04/2021 17:01

To the people excusing the beer or justifying giving a small child alcohol, why? Do you think it benefits the child somehow? Or does it amuse you to see an innocent child doing something they shouldn't? Strange.

TheGoogleMum · 05/04/2021 17:01

Isn't it considered child abuse when they are that young? I can't remember the cut off but 18 months is definitely too young

queenofthenorthwest · 05/04/2021 17:11

I was allowed the froth on the beer but not until I was about 9

Potpourriandpennysweets · 05/04/2021 18:10

@TheGoogleMum

It is illegal before the age of 5

Sometimeswinning · 05/04/2021 22:12

The never did me any harm brigade have good memories of their childhood and find it difficult to think people are so outraged now.

There is a huge difference between what was recommended by doctors, health professionals and families in the 50/60/70s etc and people being aware of the damage it COULD cause. I dont know anyone affected by their childhood which involved these remedies. However, how can anyone think its responsible to allow a baby/toddler to drink alcohol?

ColourfulElmerElephant · 05/04/2021 22:21

@Jessbow

I am of the generation that had alcohol rubbed on our gums when we were teething. It didn't kill me, nor am I an alcoholic. Clearly its not the best idea but its not the end of the world either.

I Doubt SS would even be interested.

A huge number of babies today do as well as that’s the main ingredient of many top selling gum numbing products such as anbesol etc.
ImInStealthMode · 05/04/2021 22:28

Awful OP. Is there any chance it was non-alcoholic beer, like Becks Blue or Heineken 0?

I don't think that would excuse it completely but it would be a good deal better.

GreenTeaPingPong · 05/04/2021 22:43

I can't believe there are some posters who seem to think giving alcohol to small children is normal and fine.

GreenTeaPingPong · 05/04/2021 22:48

A huge number of babies today do as well as that’s the main ingredient of many top selling gum numbing products such as anbesol etc.

Anbesol teething gel. Active ingredients: Lidocaine Hydrochloride, Chlorocresol, Cetylpyridinium Chloride.

None of these are alcohol.

MimiPigeon · 05/04/2021 22:54

My 3yo always asks to smell my drink. He also asks to smell the spices in the cupboard and my bottles of perfume etc. I don’t really see any harm in that. At Christmas I let him dip his finger in my wine and taste it because he kept asking. I would certainly not let him have a swig and would regard it as inappropriate.

blackbettybramblejam · 05/04/2021 22:56

My goodness. I had a friend from school who had her DD taken away from her for giving her alcohol as a toddler.

PutOnAHappyFace · 05/04/2021 23:06

Like some other posters, I was allowed alcohol from a young teen age. As a slightly older teen I drank till I blacked out and had no idea of limits. I was never taught limits, like say France for example who allow small glasses with meals.

One of my parents many failing but I do think it has a connection to have we are alcohol as we grow up. Being the cool funny parent who allows alcohol does the child no favours.

FrainBart · 05/04/2021 23:27

Entirely anecdotal but all my friends who were regularly pissed in the park in our teens had frequent tastes of alcohol growing up. Those who abstained until older had more self control. It's partly why I would never encourage my dc to taste it. Why normalise something which does more harm than good? It's addictive and far too many of us Brits have an unhealthy relationship with it. (Try going teetotal and the cries of 'FFS' and 'fun sponge' are thrown at you).

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