To not understand why any child under school age (ish) is given anything other than milk/water on a regular basis?

[Sarah1611]

I see it a lot out and about- tiny dots with bottles and beakers full of juice, squash or fizzy drink. I know it's not the worst thing that a young child can be given but I don't understand why it's necessary. I'm an avid squash drinker and happily drink it in front of my charges but they never ask for it. I don't drink tea/coffee so squash keeps me going!

If we were at a party then I don't see a problem with having other things but not on a normal day at home or on a trip out.

It's not even just the teeth element, but the habit it creates (I should know!!) and also the dependency on sugar- there's enough sugar in most foods in a normal diet without the almost saturate of a soft drink.

[noisytoys]

I would have more of a problem with you drinking squash in front of DCs and not allowing them to have it. If its water/milk for one then its water/milk for all. Remove the temptation.

[ShatnersBassoon]

What's confusing? Some children are given drinks other than milk or water because they like the taste and the parents are happy to provide those. That's all there is to know.

[littlemisssarcastic]

Why do you drink squash OP?
Children probably drink it for the same reasons.

I can't see why you're confused.

[maternitart]

Because some kids WILL NOT drink water or milk. Is that not obvious?

This makes sense... But if they never get juice/squash, what would happen - surely they will drink water if they're thirsty?

Actually curious about this as my DS is too young to be in the sippy cup squash brigade.

[absentmindeddooooodles]

Nothing wrong with a bit of juice. My ds 2.3 has a cup when he wants one. He will still drink water and milk, and I'm picky ( most of the time) with the juice I do give him. So not too packed full of rubbish. Saying that if we go out for a meal he can have a fruit shoot. His teeth and health are great. I see what you mean with fizzy though. That's a no go for me. He's had a taste of lemonade at a party and a little bit of soda water but that's it. No need till they are older I guess.

[pigletmania]

Op you would have a heart attack at the documentary featuring a 1 year old drinking coke. What if one of your charges would not drink water r milk, and just drank squash would you deny them fluid for the sake of your principles. If that so if I were the parent I would be looking for anther cm with a more relaxed outlook

[BoysAreLikeDogs]

LittleMiss panic not, OP is a nanny not a childminder. TFFT.

[LongWordsBotherMe]

Because for a long time watered down apple juice was the only fruit I could get into my eldest who has asd. He still only eats fruit and drinks water at school and refuses at home.

[MalenkyRusskyDrakonchik]

Goodness, do you not think of what a terrible example you set as an 'avid squash drinker'?

You know you could develop diabetes, and you will likely damage your teeth?

Is this really the example you want to set to innocent children?

[Sarah1611]

Drinking tea/coffee in front of a child but not giving it to them is no different than me with squash.

And yes, sometimes I judge (like anyone), but I was asking to see why people do it, that's all! If you don't consider it my business then don't tell me.

[hardbeingme]

i switched to plain water from squash and whilst there was no moaning there was also barely any drinking, i decided fluid intake was more important and switched back after a couple of weeks.
Don't do fizzy and don't do pure fruit juice - i buy neither anyway.
Only bothers me when i see parents putting it in bottles - those i do feel are only for water or milk.

[WorrySighWorrySigh]

why 'lucky'?

My DCs drank tea from a very early age (ie under 3). All seem to have survived the experiment into teen years.

Another reason why I am glad I had my DCs before the dictats came in.

[ShatnersBassoon]

The answer is so obvious that the question doesn't need asking. You aren't really baffled by what you see are you? There really isn't a great deal to ponder.

[rainbowfeet]

Someone here has pulled their judgey pants right up the crack of their arse!!!!

[pigletmania]

My dd 6 drinks squash, water and decaf tea and has done since she was 3, throw in a coke nowand again with the occasional happy meal. Just been to,the dentist her teeth are in tip top shape, and she is extremely fit and healthy

[cupcake78]

Blimey thats one hell of a judgement! I'd rather my child drink than not drink! He gets some of everything. It teaches him how to make good choices and about moderation. Banning things makes it more wanted and leads to trouble later on.

[WorrySighWorrySigh]

Sorry, forgot to say why:

Because they liked all sorts of drinks. On the whole I think the fluid intake is more important than precisely what it is.

DCs also drank squash and fizzy drinks from a very early age. All drinks sugar free and caffeine free.

[littlemisssarcastic]

Most children don't like tea or coffee unless it is very milky ime, so it's not the same really. Squash is generally marketed for children. It's sweet, brightly coloured and refreshing.
As another poster has pointed out, it's not as good for you as water or milk is, so why do you drink it avidly? What's the difference?

[cantspel]

cos it is Juice not crack or a gram of charlie

[mrsjay]

it isnt needed but it tastes nice and folk can brush their kids teeth tbh I live in a town where you would expect to see cola in bottles you hardly ever do. I can se a s a nanny you have to do your job and whatnot but parenting is different, I work with children I cant open a can of fizzy drink and give them some but their mums can if they want

[HellonHeels]

Squash is damaging to teeth because it bathes them in acidic liquid. This is true of sugary and sugar free squashes. Drinking a lot of squash or other acidic drinks erodes the enamel on the teeth, regardless of overall dental hygiene.

[sarahtigh]

because some children just do not like milk and/or water, personally i do not eat drink things i really do not like so why should a child.

OP you drink squash because you do not like tea/ coffee toddler drinks squash because he/she does not like water same difference

my DD is 3 she will drink milk but not water, when it is hot, milk does not quench thirst and she can't have 2 pints of milk a day so she has no sugar diluting juice or watered down fruit juice

I am a dentist and I have tried everything including giving nothing to drink all day except water, to be honest she would rather dehydrate than drink water, she is not however allowed fizzy juice except maybe at a party when she can eat and drink what she likes

the gross decay I see is not due to the odd fruit shoot /glass of squash but to loads of fizzy juice sipped slowly all day and packets ( not 2-3 individual sweets) of sweets daily

milk has a natural sugar lactose, however lactose is less likely to cause holes in teeth than glucose/sucrose, it has some sugar it is not packed full of sugar

[LittleMissGerardButlerfan]

I presume you don't have your own children OP?

I too was Judgey until I had my own children :o

Oh how I learnt!

[GreenPetal94]

Actually my son is ten now and he has always drunk much less if only offered water. I think he drinks too little then. When we go abroad the rest of the family are glugging back the mineral water and he is not. Offer him squash and he will drink healthily. Obviously I did offer just water when he gave up bottles, but he was not a water baby.

[littlemonkeychops]

I'm with you OP, you can't miss what you've never had, DD1 is 2.3 and had never had squash so how can she miss it? Don't see the need to introduce it, once she's older and more aware i won't stop her having it but there's no need.