The mother of a six-year-old beauty pageant contestant who features prominently on series Toddlers and Tiaras has defended giving her daughter a Red Bull energy drink mixture to keep her hyper on the catwalk.
June Shannon frequently gives daughter Alana Thompson, who goes by the name Honey Boo Boo on the show, a mixture of Red Bull and Mountain Dew, both of which contain caffeine in the US.
As powerful as four cups of coffee, Alana refers to the drink as her "Go-go juice".
"When they do get on stage you have to be alive and … your personality has to shine a long day," Ms Shannon said.
"A pageant day can last from 7 in the morning to 6,7,8,9, 10 at night, so performing and getting a kid up that early and lasting all day without a rest, you have to energize their body."
Getting kids energised with sugar and caffeine is not uncommon on the pageant circuit, Ms Shannon said.
She said other mothers give their daughters powdered lollies Pixy Stixs, frequently referred to as "pageant crack".
"There are normal people who give their kids this, so why is it such a big issue with us pageant moms that do it all weekend to keep our kids energized and awake?" Ms Shannon said.
"There are far worse things — I could be giving her alcohol."
A report from the American Academy of Pediatrics showed high levels of caffeine in children can lead to neurological and cardiovascular problems.
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