What age did you first let your kids have soda?

[Mom2JPL]

This is my opinion, and my opinion only...I just don't think giving kids soda is a very "smart" thing to do. And not just because of the sugar...it's the caffeine that's not good for them!

My niece will be 16 soon and doesn't drink soda (doesn't like it); my kids are little yet (almost 4, 2 1/2 and 1) and don't have soda. My choice as their parent is to keep them away from soda; I don't think they even need it as a treat. They have apple juice (1/2 water, 1/2 juice) and milk. They like water, but not in their sippy cups, only out of a regular glass.

 

[tlbwriter]

What they've never had they'll never miss. I'd rather make chocolate milk their "treat" drink than soda for sure.

They'll probably have it when they're older but I wont introduce i to them, I care more about their teeth than to get them started on that.

Chocolate milk is actually very bad for your teeth. One dentist told me it's the worst thing you can give your child in terms of tooth decay, because it clings to the teeth.

I don't have a problem with older kids getting soda occasionally. I've often wished my DD would be willing to drink it when we're someplace where there are no other options (um, no, I was not lying when I said she refuses to drink it!). But I do have issues with people putting it in baby bottles and with other people questioning your parenting decisions and acting like you're an ogre because your 2 year old doesn't drink a Coke every day.

 

[DisneyPhD]

Chocolate milk is actually very bad for your teeth. One dentist told me it's the worst thing you can give your child in terms of tooth decay, because it clings to the teeth.

I don't have a problem with older kids getting soda occasionally. I've often wished my DD would be willing to drink it when we're someplace where there are no other options (um, no, I was not lying when I said she refuses to drink it!). But I do have issues with people putting it in baby bottles and with other people questioning your parenting decisions and acting like you're an ogre because your 2 year old doesn't drink a Coke every day.

Yep, my kids only like chocolate milk too (both soy and cows milk.)

I agree, I do have a problem with people putting soda in a baby bottle. It just seems so wrong. Either you are old enough to drink out of a cup, or too young for soda. Same goes with sippy cups. Of course I think I am a hypocrite because I have been know to put a little decaf coffee in my DD's sippy cup of chocolate soy milk so she would stop stealing my coffee and dripping it all over her clothes. I think I have only done this a fewtimes though.

I don't have a problem with people not wanting their 2 year olds to drink it either. They have the rest of their life for it and you can only control what is going in their body for so long. They don't know what they are missing and what kids have early does dictate their tastes later in life.

I do think that not letting older kids (elementary school and higher) have it seems strange or at least way overprotective. My parents didn't let us have it unless it was "special occasions" and I admit I got pop where ever I could, bought it with my own money and now as an adult it really is my only vice. I know it isn't good for me, but I can't seem to stop. I do limit myself to one can or drink of regular coke a day and one diet caffeine free drink.

 

[christinadei]

DS7 has always been a milk and water lover, so I'm thankful for that. His first choice is always milk, then water. When we eat out, he usually asks for milk but we allow him to choose any non-caffinated drink as a treat. He usually chooses sprite or rootbeer. The first time I started letting him have non-caffinated soda was probably around 3-4 but always as a special treat when we were eating out or at a party, etc. He probably has it once a week now.

 

[DumboPrincess]

I have 2 kids--3 1/2 and 14 mos. My older DD has had soda one time that was more than a sip. We were driving home from a family vacation in Wisconsin (going back to SC!) and driving through the mountains. DD was very whiney, crabby, etc. DH and I thought she was tired or bored. Until we heard the "My tummy hurts..." and ALL over herself, her carseat, our treats from the Mars Cheese Castle and her toys...

We pulled over (on a mountain!) and I changed her clothes in the grass on the side of the highway while DH tried (with a baby wipe!) to clean up her carseat

A cop pulled up behind us, lights on and wanted to know "what the problem was". I told him our 2 year old had thrown up everywhere and if he wanted to help clean up, he could! He declined.

So yes, DD had soda (coke, to be precise) at 2 1/2 yrs. old. She knows it was because she "spit up" and was "sick".

Two weeks later, at home her Daddy's car broke down and was spewing green liquid everywhere. DD said, "Oh! Daddy's car is sick! It needs some soda!"

(DD hasn't had anymore soda than a sip here or there (her daddy is a soda addict) and DD 14 mos. has def. NOT had any!

 

[emh1129]

My children are 5 (almost 6) and 2. They've never had soda and I don't really want them to have it for at least a few more years. They don't ask for it, anyway, since they think it's something that only adults have once in a while.
They think chocolate milk is a huge treat

 

[mrs.beast]

my 3 all have had sprite and a few of the 365 or hansen sodas (all natural with no caffeine.) What they really like is the Izzy sparkling juice and pellegrino waters. Those are their treats that they get when i am in charge of providing. At parties and when we go out they have sprite, juice, or water because they are milk snobs and will not drink anything but nonfat organic milk, unless it is the horizon milk boxes of chocolate milk. I don't let them drink juice, lemonaide or punch when we are out because we don't eat anything that has artificial colors, artificial flavors, or artificial sweetners. at home they drink milk and water only during the week. My youngest, 2, had her first soda at 14 months. Dad left a half empty 20 oz. bottle of coke on the table, went out to feed the dog, and caught the baby guzzling his drink when he returned. She dropped the bottle and went "oh no" when he walked in.

 

[dementia412]

From someone with three kids who love soda, and have been drinking since they were about 2.... 1. try to keep your baby away from it. It's terrible for them, and once they start it's hard to keep them away from it. 2. ignore people who think you're being crazy/overprotective. They are just jealous your kid isn't ruining her health like theirs are. 3. the best way to keep them away from soda is to give them stuff that tastes better (come on milk TASTES much better, it's just not as convinient)

if only I could like water ... ick

 

[melomouse]

Folks sure feel strongly about soda!!!

I laugh at myself when I tell people that my first born had diluted juice (1/2 water) until he was about 5. No food n the car except an occassional Cheerio! No McD's, cooked home every night before heading off to work.

DD comes along 4 1/2 years later, and at 2 is eating a cheesburger with a kid's coke in the carseat!

So now who chooses water and juice and healthy foods and who chooses the junk and the soda??

So much is tastebuds and personality. While habits and tastes are formed early on, I think moderation is the key. I have a friend who keeps nothing in the fridge but filtered water and fat free pretzels. When there's a party with sweets involved her kids suck down every treat imaginable like vultures. Scary!

 

[spicemom]

My kids are 4.5yr and 3yr and have yet to have soda (pop here in Canada). They always drink milk,chocolate milk or water.

 

[GEM]

My little guy is 4 1/2 and has never really had any soda. He did have a taste of sprite one time and spit it out. He said, "Yuck! That's limey water!"

We probably won't ever have it at home, but, as he gets a bit older, I certainly won't mind him having it every once in a while at a party or in a restaurant. I think too put an absolute ban on it makes it too important and desirable. It turns it into a big deal, and it really isn't, in my book.

Right now, though, it's not an issue. I admit I drink too much Coke, not at home, but when we're out. He, though, seems to think it's a yucky drink just for grown-ups - kind of like wine.

 

[DisneyPhD]

My little guy is 4 1/2 and has never really had any soda. He did have a taste of sprite one time and spit it out. He said, "Yuck! That's limey water!"

We probably won't ever have it at home, but, as he gets a bit older, I certainly won't mind him having it every once in a while at a party or in a restaurant. I think too put an absolute ban on it makes it too important and desirable. It turns it into a big deal, and it really isn't, in my book.

Right now, though, it's not an issue. I admit I drink too much Coke, not at home, but when we're out. He, though, seems to think it's a yucky drink just for grown-ups - kind of like wine.

Hi Gem, sorry off topic but I haven't seen you in a while and man how Paul has grown! I took at look at your pictures in your sig and you look like you had a great trip!

 

[Tam1067]

My kids are 10, 8, and 5, and neither they nor I drink soda. My oldest had some root beer at a birthday party about a year ago, but really, no soda for us. Of course, my sister and brother think I'm a cruel parent because their kids all began drinking soda at about a year old.

 

[GEM]

Hi Gem, sorry off topic but I haven't seen you in a while and man how Paul has grown! I took at look at your pictures in your sig and you look like you had a great trip!

Ah, thanks! I need to get our most recent trip photos up. We just got back about a week ago, so it's laundry first and photos second!

 

[mattsmom2000]

My DS is 7 1/2 years old and only drank soda for the first time a few weeks ago. He tried it years back but didn't like the carbonation. He takes sips now and then, but still does not like it. However, he is addicted to iced tea which I know is not good either. But, I only give him half a glass of it and then water the rest down. Plus at home it is always decaffinated. When we are out I can't avoid it, but if I can do that at home, it is half the battle.

I hope that he never truly "likes" soda and asks for it. He does love water and milk and takes them also throughout the day.

Great thread and I love to know other people's opinions and views.

Thanks!

 

[Mouse House Mama]

From someone with three kids who love soda, and have been drinking since they were about 2.... 1. try to keep your baby away from it. It's terrible for them, and once they start it's hard to keep them away from it. 2. ignore people who think you're being crazy/overprotective. They are just jealous your kid isn't ruining her health like theirs are. 3. the best way to keep them away from soda is to give them stuff that tastes better (come on milk TASTES much better, it's just not as convinient)

if only I could like water ... ick

Um no. I am not jealous of anything anyone is doing with their kids' diets and I am not ruining my kids health. I don't wake them up and hook up the soda IV to them. Having some soda with dinner some nights is not going to set them up for a lifelong soda addiction. Everything in moderation.

 

[grlpwrd]

Well, I have a lot to say about the subject. lol

First, soda is bad, period. I have my October 2006 issue of Prevention magazine nearby because I am using some of the recipes in that issue.... soda rots teeth, it confuses the appetite-regulating hormones in the digestive tract, it attacks the bones, and is a big reason for escalating rates of diabetes and obesity in the US.

My kids first had some when they were about 3 years old and we don't make it a daily habit. We are health freaks, but I am realistic. We limit it to certain events, like birthdays, we make our own alternative (adding seltzer with fruit juice - the sugars are still bad for you, but it's a better alternative to soda), and we make other alternatives available on a daily, consistent basis, such as iced or hot tea, water, milk, etc. At the most, we have soda about once every 4 months or so.

I can tell you that it's a lot different when the kids are much, much older. I know my 16yo dd has a lot of opportunities to drink soda, like at school functions or when she is out with friends. I am realistic, but hopeful that she will make the best choices for her. So far so good.

In my experience, I have seen kids whose parents tell me they don't drink soda go to someone else's house or event/activity, oh my, sometimes it's a free for all. I see and hear it. I guess part of it is the "forbidden fruit" mentality. If something is too restricted or limited, sometimes it creates the exact opposite effect.

Whenever we have a Girl Scout function, I buy the troop iced tea, bottled water, or 100% fruit juices. My kids' schools often asks for drink donations and I also always bring iced tea, bottled water, or 100% fruit juices. With juices, though, it's like picking the lesser of two evils.... Even with water, there are flavored waters now and even then some are not good for you, like those with aspartame.

I do try to set a good example and all that, but believe me, I am far from a perfect parent. I just do what I can.

Yes, GEM, nice to see you back!

 

[islandmum]

Chocolate milk is actually very bad for your teeth. One dentist told me it's the worst thing you can give your child in terms of tooth decay, because it clings to the teeth.

I don't have a problem with older kids getting soda occasionally. I've often wished my DD would be willing to drink it when we're someplace where there are no other options (um, no, I was not lying when I said she refuses to drink it!). But I do have issues with people putting it in baby bottles and with other people questioning your parenting decisions and acting like you're an ogre because your 2 year old doesn't drink a Coke every day.

ever done the coke with the penny and tooth in a cup trick??

chocolate milk cant ever do that - PERIOD.

face facts people - soda is FAR worse than any of the alternatives metioned here, they're acidic, gassy, FULL of sugar ..... and I love them, but I sure aint giving them to my young kids.

I have no doubt that when they're off and about down to parties and sleepovers soon they will be offered and they will accept, but I will not be giving it to them.

 

[dcforbreakfast]

My son is almost six and he's never had soda. Unless you count the other day when I asked him to hold my diet coke (in a fountain cup with a straw) and he took a swig not thinking about what might be in it. It was right out of a sitcom, he spit it at me!

I just want to avoid it as long as I can. He drinks milk, water and lemonade crystal lite. When he was allowed to start juice I'd always put a tiny bit and then fill the rest with water. He never knew the difference. Saved his teeth. No cavities so far!

 

[Minnie_me]

I didn't read through all of the posts, but here's my answer: my 10-year old DD has NEVER had soda! (her choice) She drinks only 1% milk, water, and 100% apple juice.

My almost 7-year old DD was allowed to try soda at a party when she was 5. Now she wants it CONSTANTLY. We keep only Coke and Diet coke in the house, so her begging doesn't work at home. But if we're at a party or in a restaurant and she sees that there's orange soda, grape soda, or root beer...........watch out!