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?

water is not great for kids. its not terrible either, but it isn't great. (And drinking water is not natural )- low sugar squash is better, imo,

Evidence please?

Started all mine off on water. But it gets to the stage at some point when it's a hot summer or they are ill, and you worry they aren't drinking enough, so you encourage them with a different drink.

I mix fruit juice with water. The eldest two still drink water on it's own, and juice. As I drink tea, coffee, juice coke and wine

Couldn't see myself only drinking water, and don't see why they shouldn't enjoy other drinks too. All in moderation of course 😀

My kids only had water and still enjoy it as adults. If we go to the pub or a restaurant they often chose water over any other drink (and we are paying so it's not because they are trying to save money). I never had squash in the house. It's flavourings and sugar? I'm no Gwenneth Paltrow but even that too bad in my books.

I found the thing that made my DC all drink loads of water was having an intergrated ice and water dispenser in the fridge. They liked the crushed ice the best.

Do you offer the kids a drink after they have been running around? At that age they should be getting hot and thirsty from play.

Dojo, try looking at sports coaching websites, etc, which highlight some of the dangers in only offering water to active children. I think you probably should change your policy, if that parent's child gets even mildly dehydrated in your care when they have asked for squash to be available, then you will be in a lot of trouble, Ive known this happen in an afterschool club, and the fallout cost several staff their jobs. Mild dehydration is quite common, but if you have made low sugar squash available you won't be held responsible.

After all, the main reason water was originally encouraged in schools was because it was easier to clear up spills, nothing more!

Some drinks are isotonic (and some are hypertonic and some are hypotonic; three different things) but they are specially marketed as sports drinks,

No, ALL drinks are isotonic or hypertonic or hypotonic, whether they are labelled that or not. And of course squash can be isotonic if its made up right.

user148422656

You can't seriously be a University lecturer - you must be joshing us 😂

You can't seriously be a University lecturer - you must be joshing us not now no, I worked in university research before I trained as a teacher, and like all university staff, taught in my specialism.

Don't let them leave the table until they've drunk a glass of water.

OP, have you tried reward charts etc to get their fluid intake up?

I'm sceptical about usermanynumber's claims in the absence of any science to back it up. Diabetes UK, the NHS say water and milk are best, and The Australian Dietary Guidelines for Children and Adolescents (where, frankly, dehydration is a much bigger risk than in Britain) state that ‘a child’s fluid needs are best met by water and milk’.

Stupid health agencies and charities, in thrall to the bottled water industry.

There is no way that it's better to give a child squash than water except as a special treat or of there is another very good reason. I gave my kids sweet things but not in the form of a drink full of artificial crap.

The OPs kids like water so why introduce something else.

There is no way that it's better to give a child squash than water

yes of course it is, what are you talking about?

I think I've come across user before under another name. Her assertion then was that water just passed straight through you, which made me imagine a little slide/funnel
that separated water from everything else that passed through the stomach and intestine, shot through vessels - not mixing with the rest of the intravascular fluid - passing through the kidneys in a way that was immune to the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system that carefully monitors the body's electrolyte levels and hydration and then passes through - still in its separate shoot - through the bladder and out the urethra.

And when challenged she gave examples of people at the extremes of physiology - babies and people with kidney problems, people with head injuries and extreme athletes.

I think I asked her then how water was inadequate in a physiologically normal person with a functioning renin-angiotensin - aldosterone system and didn't get an answer.

Has the NHS got this wrong?
<a class="break-all" href="http://tna.europarchive.org/20110116113217/www.food.gov.uk/multimedia/pdfs/feedtoddler0310.pdf" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">and the Food Standards Agency
even the company's that make squash say that squash is 2nd best to water and milk 😂

Nothing too bad about kids occasionally having squash but water is definitely best.

user1484226561. I'm still thinking you are arguing for the fun of it but on the off chance you aren't then how about some evidence of your claims. Ill be shocked if you can show me anything that says not to give kids water because 'squash' is better for them.🤔

BTW don't forget we are not talking about 'sportsmen' we are talking about little kids.

Just when you think you've heard it all.

Anyway, ignoring the completely batshit comments...don't give them sweet drinks to get them to drink more, it doesn't work any better than novelty straws etc, it just means they're getting more sugar and/or crap in their diet.

The 11 yo here drinks bugger all if left to her own devices and a smidge more if asked/reminded. She's fit, healthy, disgustingly energetic (I'm trying to siphon it off! 🤣). I've learnt not to worry too much. Yes, of course there is the odd child that gets dehydrated, but out of the millions of kids drinking bugger all, it's not a high risk as long as they're drinking something in the day.

user I'm a lecturer too. Yup. My specialism is why pink fluffy unicorns are secretly controlling the world.

Oh look - anyone really can claim any old rubbish on the internet, can't they....?

Couldn't see myself only drinking water, and don't see why they shouldn't enjoy other drinks too. All in moderation of course

I agree with this. DS loves honeyed milk, also apple juice warmed with honey and a pinch of cinnamon.

My dog has been brainwashed by the bottled water industry too! Those guys have got some fantastic marketing.

This is the weirdest thread I've ever seen on here. "My chooses are perfectly healthy but would I be unreasonable to ply them with sugar for no reason whatsoever?"

Give them water and lots of milk. Why aren't they drinking milk? It's not rocket science!

I'd be more worried that the 4 year old doesn't drink milk. Unless she's consuming loads of cheese and yoghurt, what about calcium intake? Squash isn't the magic answer. Rather, different strategies to increase water and milk Throughout the day. New cups chosen by themselves, offered regularly etc etc.

I understand your concern OP, but make sure you really try everything else first.
Also, drinking water throughout or before a meal shouldn't really decrease a normal appetite.

If milk isnt being drank then i suggest hot drinks, ovaltine for example or very weak hot chocolate? Or miltshakes? Or just warm milk? Theres more than 1 way to skin a cat abd a lack of milk is something else id be looking at

They'll drink if they are thirsty and plain cool tap water is readily available!

It's instinct; even animals know to do it.

Children who have access to nothing but water don't routinely make themselves ill from dehydration.

This is the weirdest thread I've ever seen on here. "My chooses are perfectly healthy but would I be unreasonable to ply them with sugar for no reason whatsoever?"

Would have to agree.

I've heard it all now
Water is not natural to drink

Water is best. Don't believe all the dehydration marketing tosh. Don't fret so much about nothing,
Are they likely to be dehydrated? No
Do they look healthy? Yes
Are they suffering frequent Urinary tract infections?No
Are their lips dry and cracked? No
Is urine a pale straw colour?

Leave well alone and save the money and their teeth.