1 Year old trying a little alcohol!

[stressed out]

Is there any short or long term health implications of a 1 year old enjoying a taste (couple spoonfuls) of Guiness?

Strange it must sound, i thought so too when my friend told me that's what her son enjoy's! Does anyone know why a child this young would like this?

[Greedyfly]

My sister has always liked Baileys - when my mum had a drink at crimbo etc she would nug her for it  so she would dip her finger in for her - thats it though. I think its horrible stuff.

[Dom Tuk]

From a very young age my 2 sons would clamour for the pint of beer in my hand. After a finger full or two they would give up. I think it is just curiosity to see what your parents are drinking. the taste puts them off sharpish.

[Bonzo 2000]

Our 3 year old son, Spud, has been a seasoned beer drinker for a couple of years now.  He enjoys a bit of Belgian Lager, but is not averse to a stronger, heavier dark beer, especially Newcastle Brown.  He's happy to be sharing with the grown ups and gets fed up after a few sips/half pint.  Whisky tends to make him quite violent, so we try to keep him away from that, but I'm confident that an ocassional taste will do no harm.  Its got to be attractive to the youngsters after all that nasty bland milk, water and weak juice.  If Guiness is the tipple of choice, then why not?

[Corkyb]

Ok so call me old fashioned, but what the blazes are people doing allowing toddlers to sip at alcohol!

I don't intend to cause offence or a heated debate about the parents rights etc, but has anyone stopped to think about what happens to the childs body?

If 'seasoned' adult drinkers can end up with liver, kidney and stomach problems, what is it doing to a childs? And does anyone condsider the long term effects?

 

To quote from http://www.direct.gov.uk and also

http://www.healthscotland.com/alcohol/facts/law.cfm

It is illegal to give an alcoholic drink to a child under five except under medical supervision in an emergency.

 

[Le Chat]

Well said Corkyb! I agree 100%. Unbelieveable stupidity!

[jocasta]

Corkyb - when would you give alcohol to ANYONE when required, under medical supervision or not??? do you read the Daily Mail perchance?

[tigga]

Forgive me if im missing something here, but does the part written in read mean that five years old are allowed to get bladdered at home ?

[Corkyb]

jocasta, I don't read the Daily Mail or any other Newspaper for that matter.  If you're refering to the article 'How alcohol attacks the body' which I have just read, some of those effect I didn't know!

As you said who'd want to give alcohol to anyone or drink it after reading it must be crazy!!

Here is the link for any one else thats interested;

Dailymail-alcohol-damage

[Corkyb]

tigga.... the bit in red means it is illegal, against the law for children under the age of 5 to have any kind of alcohol, either in the home or outside, unless it is given by a Doctor and only in an emergency. (I should think that is very rare.)

[Greedyfly]

The point is the question asked?

[Pinotage]

A couple of spoonfuls of Guiness isn't going to do any harm.

It wasn't so long ago that gripe juice contained alcohol.

[morg_monster]

I really hope bonzo wasn't serious that his 3 yr old son gets fed up after a few sips / half pint - tell me he hasn't ever drunk a whole half pint! Considering the body size of a 3 yr old a half pint would probably be enough to kill him! I'm sure a little sip isn't going to do any harm but more than that - even aside from the ethics remember for a little kid that maybe weighs 1 or 2 stone it doesn't take much alcohol to reach a toxic level in their bloodstream or liver.

[Yinzer]

Yeah, I hope bonzo is full of it too, unless his family is one of THOSE. (you know the type). When I was younger, maybe 5-ish, I used to love a "hard-earned" sip of my dad's rum 'n coke (meaning I practically would beg for a taste). Also I have a 1 year old and my mother in law had the audacity to give him a fingerful of Bailey's! Actually the only thing audacious about it was that she still wouldn't let me have a glass of good wine "because I'm breastfeeding".... Hooey!

[magicdice]

don't some religious things involve alcohol? even for kids?

[Heddsy]

Can i just say......TO EACH THEIR OWN. I think for "grown ups" to be generalising and saying things like "one of those" is disgraceful. There is no right and wrong here. Every parent has their own way. But you're right, I think next time you hear of a child being allowed to drink alcohol you should call the police right away and have the parents locked uo and have the child put in care.....do you see my point?!!

[stressed out]

Thanks guys for all your input.  I do think however that some of you are a bit harsh especially whoever mentioned calling the police straight away and locking up the parents! I think there are far more worries concerning children than a few sips of alcohol like child abuse, paedophiles etc..!!  I only asked about health implications not about the law or the 'correct' way to raise a child as i don't disagree with my friend giving a sip of beer but just concerned about the affect on the health of the child. Raising a child well has nothing to do with your wealth either so the comment about "one of those" has no relevance as i know of "rich" church going do gooders who can't raise their kids for s**t but then there are those who are not so well off whose children are happy, healthy and are well loved! Why are people so prejudice?

Anyway thanks again for all your replies, i hope i have not caused offence to anyone? Happy new year!

[dirtyharriet]

I remember when my son was a baby and had an ear infection, we took him to the doctor and he refused to believe my son had anything other than colic (we had to take him to another doctor for a proper diagnosis) and advised us to give him a spoonful of brandy. This was only 3 yrs ago.

I personally wouldn't give my kids any alcohol, but I wouldn't sit in judgement on anyone who does, as long as it is just a taste. After all the law states that a child can drink alcohol in his own home from the age of 5.

[ahar]

most kids i know have dipped their dummy in fosters at a family party, that tiny drop isnt going to harm them. in fact, they'l probably remember for a while that they didnt like the taste - can only be good right?

[Gef]

Dipping a dummy in Guinness or other beer is far better than dipping it in sugar. As another post mentioned gripe water is 5% alcohol.