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 fact, for clarity, why don't you walk us through what you think happens to the body's electrolytes when a 30 kg child drinks a 120 ml drink of water and explain why it's not a good fluid to drink.

That's for user obviously, I've been bemused by her "water goes straight through you" assertions for ages.

Where is your evidence for that Crisp ?

Clemmy if I did not think mine were getting enough fluids I would give them squash.

What are their bowel motions like? If their urine is dark and smelly they are at increased risk of constipation. The five fruit and vegetables will helping to prevent this though.

I honestly don't know all the science behind it, I was probably told but I have so much medical jargon to deal with that some gets lost, but apparently juice is better than water in my situation, water dilutes and washes all the nutrients away and juice not so much. I didn't think it applied to the majority of people as they don't have an issue with absorbing nutrients though.

they will explode, nolonger, as you well know, and to prevent this, excess pure water is immediately flushed out of the system, you drink water you pee more, thats all, it doesn't stay in your body.

Maybe you would suffer water intoxication if you have plain water www.google.co.uk/amp/www.independent.co.uk/life-style/health-and-families/health-news/drinking-too-much-water-intoxication-deadly-dangerous-doctor-a7452736.html%3Famp?client=ms-android-samsung.

My children have not rejected water in favour of squash and drink a variety of drinks including fizzy stuff.

Depends if you are drinking too much water or not as your body may not be able to pee it out fast enough

Neither of mine (2 and 4) will drink water so they have very weak sugar free squash.

User - excess pure water is not immediately flushed out of the body. Where on earth are you getting that junk physiology from?

Why don't you walk me through the biochemical changes that you think happen when a 30 kg child drinks 120 ml of water? It doesn't replace the intravascular fluid, causing cells to explode (lol).

Excess water can actually be a problem.

Ravioli Why would no ADDED sugar Squash be better than fresh fruit? Squash has artificial sweeteners in and still contains the natural sugar in the fruit that's in the Squash!!!!

Wow, you've asked if you should give them some squash, not crack!
Do whatever you feel will encourage then to drink more. Water it down if you want, my DS only had really watered down juice - we even added water to fresh apple juice.
A bit of flavour may encourage them to drink more.
It's worth a try.

www.dhmo.org/truth/Dihydrogen-Monoxide.html

cara the 120ml the 30 kg child drinks without SIADH is not going to make them hyponatraemic. And, by definition, that excess water is hanging around, not passing straight through you (on its own special slide perhaps) as user is claiming.

*CaraAspen Mon 13-Feb-17 10:19:51

Excess water can actually be a problem.*

Usually only large quantities especially consumed over a very short time giving rise to hyponatremia.

I used to buy the Rocks cordial to get my very constipated child to drink. Doesn't have any crap in and is organic and all that jazz. Made him drink more in the beginning but wore off.
I give half fruit juice half water and they have to finish it before school/preschool then offer water after school/preschool and milk with dinner. Probably are dehydrated tbh but you can't force a horse to drink, or words to that effect

user thinks that before squash was invented people drank creek water, which presumably clogged up that special water chute she thinks is present in the gut, vessels, kidneys, bladder and urethra.

I wouldn't do this

My DH is a dentist. About 80% of decay is caused by diet and that includes drinks. It is not so much the amount of sugary/acid intakes but the number of times throughout the course of the day. Therefore, drinks play a big part in child tooth decay. If you just give any type of juice, it should be with a meal.

We have 3 DCs aged 4 and under. They only drink water or milk. Juice is for a treat if we are out. All of our friends who are dentists do the same with their kids. Out of about 30 kids, none of them have had a filling or any type of issue with their teeth.

PS - Sugar free juice is acidic and will also damage teeth. Acid = erosion = holes in teeth eventually = fillings

PPS - anyone who has "weak enamel" should be even more careful about multiple sugar/acid intakes and brushing. So the advice is even more relevant

For the avoidance of doubt, none of the children have ever suffered from water intoxication either!

I think User is just trying to defend the fact that she gives her kid juice by claiming ridiculous rubbish to justify her choices!

You KNOW how essential water is to the body. Loon!!!

It's "post-truth" physiology.

There's are other ways to get liquids into a reluctantly child. Fruit for instance, eg watermelon, oranges. Soups, cereal with milk, yoghurt, stews with lots of (low salt) gravy or stock

^^ This - there a nice grated cucumber and Greek yogurt dip/sauce - jellies, lollies - can home make.

My IL have pushed squash - I think because I said it made one of the DC hyper when they were toddlers thankfully grown out of - we were there a prolonged period of time one year and it took ages for all of us to wean off squash - did do it though.

Mine have pop at special occasions or meals out. I will give half and half fruity juice and squash in summer when I am worried about liquid intake but the default is water or milk. Will also do chilled water and frozen fruit ice in summer months as well.

The problem is that giving them squash means they won't drink anymore but will refuse water in the future.

i avoided squash right up until DD got a bowel impaction (she's had various infections from not drinking enough) and the younger DD was straining a lot to go, now both have the high fruit juice squash with meals (breakfast and dinner as they're out all day) and we've had no more problems, they usually drink a large cup at each meal. I bought a better toothbrush for each at the same time...I don't feel great about it but the Dr I saw with DD advised keeping her on a daily dose of laxatives - that didn't seem to be the answer. Both of them have fewer toilet issues now.