How old should a child be to start drinking soda?

Answer 1

Ideally never! When we were growing up we were only allowed to have soda at birthday parties or on summer camping trips. It always seemed like such a treat to us that way! Our parents would also occasionally treat us to a Friday night movie night and root beer floats! :)

My husband and I don't even buy soda! We are totally off it! We don't ever plan on introducing it into our kids' diets (except of course on camping trips!!)

Answer 2

It's not really the age that's important it's the amount and frequency.

Face it, we can't keep our children from drinking soda and when they become adults they will choose to drink it if they like. So just like everything else in life - moderation is the key.

Let him/her have soda when you go out to a restaurant.
When you have a party or on a holiday.
Every Friday night since it's pizza night.

If you had to put a number on it, I would say do not introduce soda until after 2 or 2.5 yrs old.

Answer 3

It is not good for their teeth at all. But if you are wanting to just try it every now and then.. add some water to it. Also I would suggest them being well over a year old. If you put soda in a bottle or sippy cup if you notice how it will start to spurt out of the top.. that is exactly how it is in their belly as well and can cause some gas problems. This is why the water helps. Good luck and hold off as long as you can.

Answer 4

This is a personal choice of yours. But to be honest wait as long as you can. Mine are 5 and 7 and I wish that I had waited. I drink soda everyday and when I drink it my kids want it. I limit them to 2 sodas a week. So do it whenever you want just do it in moderation.

Answer 5

soda isnt good for anybody. I wouldnt give a child soda until they were at least 10 with their happy meal, and only then. Id say 18 with a job buying their own.

Answer 6

I agree with a lot of others that kids shouldn't have soda. My niece is 2 and thinks that she needs it everytime she sees someone with a can of pop, so we went and bought some of the lemonade and Sunny D in cans and give that to her instead. She still thinks that it is pop and doesn't really care.

Answer 7

The older the better. Absolutely not any under the age of one. And no diet soda for kids under two (aspartame, the artificial sweetner, can cross the blood-brain barrier in children under the age of two)

Answer 8

my kids are 4 and 7 and they only get soda at birthday parties or granny's house, give them fruit juice with soda water

Answer 9

I agree with Rooney....her answer is right on. The only thing I would add is that we only let our kids have Sprite since it has no caffeine. On special occasions we let them have coke or something with caffeine, but even I try to limit my intake to one soda a day.

Answer 10

If you can avoid soda altogether- it's best. Otherwise at least 4. If you are going to do it- try just plain seltzer with fruit juice!