13 month old wanting sips of Mummy's tea. What should I do?

[lucasmama08]

Not sure if this is really a weaning question, but over the past month my DS has started to covet my drinks. It started off quite innocently with a few sips from my glass of water but since then he has quickly added tea, coffee and OJ to his list

Being a complete bloody soft touch I've been letting him take a few sips but am starting to get seriously worried what awful chemicals could be lurking in my favourite beverages. Too scared to google so hoping you can help! He's having some of my...

Decaf tea (black with 1/2 tsp honey & lemon)
Decaf coffee (milk, no sugar etc)
Orange juice (Tropicana)

My Mum has also been giving him a few sips of her green tea which I believe contains caffeine although I don't know how much.

He's very good at helping himself to lots of water from his little sippy cup throughout the day, plus the water I let him drink from an open cup with his meals, so he's not actually thirsty - just curious I think.

Curious is exactly right, and possibly a bit of a chancer.

Just say 'no, hot' and pull a face.
He'll get the message.

And no to the orange juice. The acid is a disaster for his teeth. If I drink juice in front of my smallest I put it in a coloured beaker so she can't see what the drink is ...

There will be lots of boundaries to negotiate in the next few months, mostly to do with safety, so introducing them early and pleasantly is the best way forward.

Just say no, and stick to it.

Oh gosh, the 'no' word! Has it come to that stage already?!

Just got to remember I'm bigger than him. What's the worst he can do...?

OleOleOlentils definately a chancer! God only knows what he'll be like later

He knows "hot, ouch" and steers clear of the grill and other such things when I tell him this, but the little git clever little thing has working out that if Mummy is drinking it then it's obviously not that hot is it?

I have this feeling he could be quite a defiant little toddler...

while caffeine is an issue, obviously not in decaf though, you have to watch the tannins in tea. Green tea has tannins in as well - although it will only be a small sip, the tannins can affect mineral absorption in the gut as they can bind to minerals and prevent them being absorbed.

Decaf is only ok if it is done by water - the chemicals used for decaffeination are worse than the caffeine, imo, and despite the protestations that there shouldn't be any chemical left, I wouldn't chance it.

Orange juice is probably too much - I let DS have apple juice now (since 21mo) but it is heavily diluted to save his teeth. He mostly has water and milk.

If you just firmly say "No, mummy's drink" it should work - but you have to stick to it. So far it has worked with DS - it had to or he'd have been into my evening glass of wine!

My DC always wants what I drink and I always drink the bad stuff, pepsi, red bull, so I just make sure her beaker is there and say "this is J's drink, this is M's drink" and she seems happy with this.

Imagine if it was vodka, would you let him sip it then or would you say no?

If you're not happy with him having it then be tough and no 13months is not too young for the no word imo, start practising now in a firm low voice because you will be needing it quite a lot in the years to come

thumbwitch & juneybean - I like "no, mummy's drink" and "this is Mummy's drink, this is DS's drink". Plus they both have excellent potential for much wider application as he gets older! Thanks for all the info on what's in each drink - not sure I fancy them now though

LoveMyGirls - obviously I'd never give him vodka, what a terrible waste - good vodka is not exactly cheap y'know?! But seriously, I'd never give him juice etc in his cup/beaker - I've been almost puritantical about sticking to just water and milk. I've just got so used to sharing all my food etc with him (don't fret - I save the naughty things until he's tucked up in bed!) that it seemed strange to be suddenly refusing him. Think I was in denial that the 'no' years were starting and my baby was growing up , but 'no' it must be...

thumbwitch - actually I wasn't joking about it putting me off... I'm pregnant with #2 at the moment hence the switch to decaf. Now wondering whether I need to wean myself off them and onto something else?

I do usually (when not pregnant) like both chamomile and peppermint teas, but am finding them really weak and insipid at the moment. Don't suppose you could recommend any healthier alternatives?

When he asks for your drink, don't say no, just give him his drink instead.

I would also advise letting him play with an open topped cup and some water in his highchair.

colditz - "When he asks for your drink, don't say no, just give him his drink instead". Liking that suggestion too!

He uses an open cup at mealtimes (as I can keep an eye on him) and a sippy cup for him to help himself to during the day. He's great with both but does prefer the open cup. However, he does also enjoy pouring all the water out of the open cup when he gets bored, so I tend to only let him have it at mealtimes!!

lucasmama08 - if you get organic decaf, it will have been decaffeinated with water, not nasty chemicals. Also if you look at the packets, those that use water decaffeination will say so, because it is a selling point with some people.

you could try redbush (or rooibos in S. African) tee - that has no caffeine but a strong flavour, quite smoky and pleasant.

Be careful of herb teas - some of them are not such a good idea in pg (although I would heartily recommend raspberry leaf tea after about 36 weeks - v. good for uterine toning; and fennel tea post birth if you are bf'ing)

thumbwitch - thank you so much for the recommendations. I will definitely be switching.

I drank gallons of raspberry leaf tea (through gritted teeth as I didn't like the taste!) from 36 weeks with DS and was lucky enough to have a lovely, quick and comfortable natural birth at 38 1/2 weeks. I'm sure there were other factors at play, but I shall be doing the same again this time and would recommend it to others. Haven't heard of fennel tea re bfing but will be adding it to my shopping list nearer the time!

Thanks again x

no probs!