Is sugar essential in a 13 month old's diet?

I heard that sugar in the little one's diet is necessary for brain development.  That sounded like such bull-you-know-what...Have you ever heard it?

[houseofgirls]

I've never heard that before...I know that fat is essential for brain development though.  Which is why babies that are a year old get whole milk instead of the 2% or whatever.

[daprincess21]

im not sure, but you would be surprised at some of the things that you dont actually think conatin sugar that really do. Everyday foods have sugar in them. i would just watch for the ones with the large amounts.

[Me2mommy2b]

Thanks for your replies.  I was asking b/c I asked my mother in law (who is my daycare provider) not to add sugar in DD's oatmeal.  She, of course, has to hint that I don't know c@@p about being a mother and that it's necessary.  It shocked me b/c I was pretty sure that that's not true.

[taysmommy]

No, i asked my pediatrition this, i dont give my daughter any sugar, shes 20 months old, i dont even give her juice, her pediatrition said this is ok for her, and great for her dental health,

she will get some sugar from normal everyday foods, but sugary drinks and sugary treats are not essential, if you dont give them sweets, they wont develop a sweet tooth, my mother in law gave my daughter an oreo the other day and she took one bite and threw it on the floor lol,

get them to eat good foods first so they will develop tastes for them, my dd loves her veggies, and im sure if i started to give her sweets all the time she wouldnt want them any more

and remember there is sugar in everything, veggies, fruits, milk and mostly everything so the little sugar they need for development will be gotten there

[houseofgirls]

oh no, I would not add sugar to a babies oatmeal.  I mean, like taysmommy said, there is plenty of natural sugars in a lot of things.  

[tmv]

Added sugar can cause stomach cramping and diarrhea. Fire back with that one. Love those mil's!  They do get plenty through milk and other products. But not necessary to add to diet. Maybe she was thinking of fat bc it is???

[mum2beagain]

No, no need to add sugar to anything or feed your child products with added sugar. There is plenty in everyday fruit, veggeis, milk yoghurt etc as taysmommy said. These natural sugars, especially those in 100% juice, can still cause tooth decay so it's still important for us all to brush our babies gums and teeth even if we don't give them sweet treats.  

[cutiemama]

As mentioned already, fat is essential but sugar definitely is NOT

[AnnieBrooke]

Your MIL must be thinking of fat.  It's surprising enough that it is essential, so maybe she heard it and just remembered that something supposed to be bad for people is good for babies, and thought in retrospect that it was sugar.  

[DollChina]

I thought Fat is essential for brain development.  I am guilty of giving Gavin whatever he will eat and yes that includes fat and sugar but not excessive.

[Me2mommy2b]

She loves fruits and veggies and I hate it that she keeps adding sugar to her food.  I asked her not to and of course she got offended (surprise!)  Her excuse is "she won't eat it otherwise".  I told her to add fruit to it for a natural sweetness.  I have a feeling she still adds sugar b/c she's stubborn.

[mum2beagain]

Maybe you should tell her something like you have taken your daughter to the dentist and he was shocked to see he could already see the effects sugar was having on her teeth and that he has told you that you must not add anymore sugar to her foods or she will end up with cavities. I know it's a bit of a white lie but if she does keep adding sugar to your daughters food the dentist will be telling you that anyway!