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.

[McNewPants2013]

www.heinzbaby.com/en_ca/triple_tested_products/juice/


All Heinz Juices are made from 100% fruit juice. Supplemented with Vitamin C which helps boost iron absorption, Heinz Juices are the perfect way to help meet your baby or toddler's need for iron.

And marketing.

[exoticfruits]

If I want them to drink water I drink water too- very easy because I drink it all the time.

[monkeyfacegrace]

Neither of my kids have water or milk. Cuz it tastes shit.

I like wine. And coke. And squash.

So my kids have it too. Except the wine, obvs. That would be weird.

But my family are just fine and dandy, thanks.

[Sarah1611]

I do disapprove of it in general, but then I do things which other carers of children would disapprove of, I'm in no doubt. None of us are anywhere close to perfect, whatever that is.

The parents I work for never give either child anything other than milk or water unless its a special occasion, so obviously I follow suite. There's other rules I disagree with but follow of course, they're their children. But is is one I happen to agree with.

No one has to agree with me, it doesn't really matter, interesting that no one is quoting 'benefits of vitamin C' which is what adverts would have us believe is a reason to drink it!

[exoticfruits]

I never understood why parents thought juice superior to squash- I was always convinced it was better to have weakly flavoured water. Lots of juice is bad for anyone.

[Sarah1611]

I was told from some dentist friends of mine that watered down juice is better for teeth than squash, and also if you're having it to have it with a meal and drink it as fast as possible so it doesn't sit on the teeth!

[QueenMaeve]

Because they have older siblings who take other drinks and they want the same. I too OP only gave my pfb water or milk, he didnt know what juice was, or even sweets. 5dc later my youngest has had it all

[WorraLiberty]

I totally agree exotic, all things in moderation.

I often wonder what today's children will think of their parents when they look back on their childhoods.

In England alone, over 60% of the population are overweight/obese.

So these children will twig soon enough that their parents are over indulging themselves regularly...while the kids get water and bread sticks.

[Justforlaughs]

I'm with the OP, in that I also drink lots of squash and no tea/ coffee. I don't like the taste. When I had my first DC, I started off with water and milk, but by the time he was ?? Certainly long before he started school, he was very clear that he didn't like water. When you then have younger children it is even harder to stick to water and milk only, if their older siblings are having alternatives. As a nanny/ parent to only young children, it would be fairly easy to enforce a rule, but it really doesn't last and it really isn't all that important either.

[BabyHaribo]

Why do you not drink water? Why squash?

Because you prefer it??? Maybe some kids do too.

It's the only way some children will drink anything more than a few sips and the effect on teeth is nothing like as bad as the potential effects of dehydration.

YABU

[IneedAsockamnesty]

None of mine were ever offered anything other than water or milk but that's all I drink at home.

But each to there own

[HeadfirstForHalos]

Shall we open the can of worms that is sugar free squash packed with lots of yummy aspartame?

[GrimmaTheNome]

If you've got a child who won't drink milk, and doesn't drink enough water and so has constipation/leaking and isn't dry at night because their bladder isn't big enough, you'll give them copious quantities of sugar free squash because the nurse has told you how much they need to drinl. (the only rule is not blackcurranty ones near bed time).

I'm confused by anyone who would question what other parents do to hydrate their children.

[2rebecca]

I don't see the problem with fruit juice, my kids disliked milk once over about 2. I hate neat milk so wasn't surprised. Drinking another animal's milk isn't normal.

[Justforlaughs]

OP, I think that the majority of dentists will warn against having more than one small glass of fruit juice a day, and even that is not great for your teeth. I use sugar free, which I have mixed feelings about, but my DD1 is diabetic

[GrimmaTheNome]

Shall we open the can of worms that is sugar free squash packed with lots of yummy aspartame?

why go there, when you can get plenty nowadays without aspartame

[WorraLiberty]

Are they organic, free range worms that lived a life of joy and frivolity Headfirst?

[Startail]

Because my eternally BFing DD2 won't drink milk or water, she wouldn't at 12 months and she won't at 12 years.

[HeadfirstForHalos]

Can you? I haven't bought sugar free squash for ages :)

I thought there were mixed feeling on children having any sort of sweetener.

Not that I have a problem with either type! It;s still just squash.

[insanityscratching]

My dd aged 10 will only drink water or milk. She has never drunk juice, squash or fizzy pop, It can be a bit of a pain tbh because sometimes at parties or at the cinema when water or milk isn't always on offer and I don't always remember her water bottle.
Dd has been offered numerous alternatives but won't try them. There's nothing I have done to make her like this so I assume that the children who don't drink water or milk isn't down to their parents either.
Oh she's never eaten sweets either but I don't mind that so much as she gives them to me instead

[hobnobsaremyfavourite]

^^that wot malcolm said

[WorraLiberty]

MTM!!!

Spot on as always

[Beatrixpotty]

Mine have water or milk at home,I don't buy squash or juice.
They have just had to get used to it,that's what there is at nursery and school,plus I couldn't stand cleaning up any more sticky mess.
But when out or at play groups they have diet coke,fruit shoots,squash or whatever there is available.
Everything in moderation.

[Salmotrutta]

"Confused" eh?

I think not.