to start giving my DC squash even though they're happy with just water?

[Clemmythyme]

I have two DDs aged 4 and 2. Both happily drink water and don't ask for anything different to drink. DD4 has tried squash at GPs and parties and likes it but has never asked for it at home. DD2 hasn't tried it but obviously would probably like it as it's sweeter than water.

I'm thinking of beginning to buy and offer squash because I'm concerned they're not drinking enough. Neither drank anything with breakfast today, they had probably a quarter of a small cup of water with lunch, half a small cup after swimming and hardly anything with dinner. AIBU to think this isn't enough and to introduce squash to try and encourage them to drink more?

In MyGlorious Reign, using "dehydrated" to mean a well fed healthy developed world child who hasn't had a drink for a couple of hours or "hydration" to mean "having a drink" will be capital offences.

It's been brilliant marketing. A normal bodily sensation - feeling thirsty - is now considered a physiological emergency that can only be countered by carrying water and rehydration drinks around.

When children are vomiting or having diahorrea squash is better than plain water (althoigh rehydration fluid is better still). We tell women with morning sickness to try flat coke for the same reason. Sick children can and do become medically dehydrated.

Get off your high horse BertandRussell, don't be so sanctimonious.

I'll just leave this here

Thank you Chazs - so do I!

Believe it or not, to those who think that you can't get dehydrated in a civilised country, you can. It may not be as bad as some people get, but it doesn't mean it doesn't happen.

And not drinking enough, regardless of where you live in the world, can cause massive health problems. It's people making sanctimonious comments about it that stop people from seeking medical help when it's still early enough to prevent problems....

From a paediatric dental POV:

1. As long as the diluted squash is offered at one of the 3 mealtimes and only milk (cow's) & water are drunk in between meals; then there should be no dental issues.
2. Limiting acid attacks to 3 per day-breakfast/lunch/dinner-is crucial to the prevention of dental caries. So avoidance of any type of grazing is key.
3. It is also perfectly acceptable from a dental POV to have a small 50ml glass of fresh orange juice with breakfast. This also counts as 1of your 5 per day.
4. Fresh fruit should be eaten immediately after a meal too.
5. There is no such thing as sugar free juice as some posters have suggested. No added sugar does not equal sugar free. Reference~which is central to UK dental health promotion-as below. www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/367563/DBOHv32014OCTMainDocument_3.pdf

Stick with water! My little one only gets squash at grandma's house, and I'm very glad it's not a thing at home.