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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To let my 10 month old have squash?

119 replies

TinyMystery · 28/07/2019 19:19

My 10 month old is OBSESSED with all things cup/bottle/drinking related. As a result of this, he has ended up having sips of our drinks when we have squash. He is now desperate to drink squash and will spend an entire mealtime shouting at us an pointing at our glasses, rather than actually eating his dinner.

This evening I poured a very small amount of squash into a (normal child size) cup and diluted it a bit more so it was very weak. He drank it all up and then cracked on with his dinner. Seems like a sensible enough solution to me but I don’t want him to start refusing water! Currently he will happily drink gallons of water if you let him so not really an issue.

OP posts:
Sirzy · 28/07/2019 19:20

Although I have no issue with squash if he is drinking water I would stick with that for now. Can you not drink water at meal times?

rose789 · 28/07/2019 19:20

Would it not just be easier to have water yourselves?

HavelockVetinari · 28/07/2019 19:21

Assuming it's sugar free then crack on. There is zero evidence of artificial sweeteners having a detrimental impact on humans.

MythicalBiologicalFennel · 28/07/2019 19:21

Do you mean to give him squash?

Passthecherrycoke · 28/07/2019 19:21

It’s more likely he’ll just want squash all the time. That’s what happened with my D.C. although they didn’t have squash until they were about 2/3

moreismore · 28/07/2019 19:21

We switched to having water around our kids for this reason. My 3.5 yr old now has squash very occasionally but otherwise we just have water or milk.

MaryBoBary · 28/07/2019 19:22

Don't do it, it won't take long for him to learn he can get squash whenever he likes by throwing a strop about it. Never mind it being bad for any teeth he might have yet. Give him water and know that if he's thirsty he will drink it. I would also drink water at mealtimes so that he realises he's not missing out on anything.

Lizzielocket · 28/07/2019 19:22

I do not see an issue with this at all but many will, make it really weak and let him drink it. Make it weak enough to just colour the water.
I thank god I’m past all the angst that parents have these days, DD is 23 and used to guzzle Ribena out of a bottle, she’s neither fat nor has a mouth full of fillings.

waterrat · 28/07/2019 19:22

I find that a bit odd to be honest
It's absolutely unnecessary for anyone to drink squash and he is under 1! Such a shame to give him a taste for sugary drinks at such a young age. Just have water while he is around.

Passthecherrycoke · 28/07/2019 19:22

Oh yes I’m assuming it’s sugar free. 90% are though I guess

MythicalBiologicalFennel · 28/07/2019 19:22

Sorry I mean it's not as if he buys or chooses the food/ drink. He can only have what you give him. You are in full control. And you know plain water is best.

helpmeiamatoad · 28/07/2019 19:22

As a one off I think it’s fine but I agree with PP, you should try drinking water at mealtimes

Expressedways · 28/07/2019 19:22

Why can’t you have water with your meals?! He won’t want it if he can’t see it.

Original poster
TinyMystery · 28/07/2019 19:24

Yes we could drink water at mealtimes and often do. But if I fancy a glass of squash, I feel like that isn’t so terrible!

OP posts:
Treaclesweet · 28/07/2019 19:24

You should drink water. You'll give him a sweet tooth. They didn't just make up the guidelines you know, they are there for a reason!

AnchorDownDeepBreath · 28/07/2019 19:24

I don't drink water, hate the taste. I don't think very weak sugar-free squash would do him any harm but it's probably not ideal... it depends if you feel it's okay, like most of parenting!

Treaclesweet · 28/07/2019 19:25

Sorry x-post. Why don't you drink from an opaque cup then if you won't have water?

clottedcreamoverjam · 28/07/2019 19:26

I wouldn't. If I am having a coffee or a glass of wine, DC knows that is for adults, he has water and milk.

CakePigeon4 · 28/07/2019 19:27

OP from some of the responses here you would think you’re giving him diluted arsenic 😂 Honestly, if you’re keeping an eye on the amount of sugar in the rest of his diet, I really don’t think squash is the worst thing in the world! It’s a relatively tiny amount of sugar, I really wouldn’t worry about it.

Letsbegin · 28/07/2019 19:27

Even sugar free squash is acidic and can wear the enamel down. Best to have water or milk between meals and save the squash and juice for mealtimes. I see kids as young as 2 having all their teeth removed at work so maybe I'm biased but it's really not worth the risk in my mind. If you can get them used to water it's best all round as they won't be allowed squash at school either.

TheRedBarrows · 28/07/2019 19:28

Get opaque drinking ‘glasses’ so your toddler cannot see what is in it.

If you persist with offering squash he will refuse water which will be a pain going forward.

clottedcreamoverjam · 28/07/2019 19:29

Oh and one of the main things my dentist asks is that they only drink water and milk.

WorraLiberty · 28/07/2019 19:29

Yes we could drink water at mealtimes and often do. But if I fancy a glass of squash, I feel like that isn’t so terrible!

Don't put it in a glass.

If you drink from a cup/mug he won't know whether it's water or squash.

NewAccount270219 · 28/07/2019 19:30

I have honestly never known an adult drink squash in real life!

I personally wouldn't do this. I'm on a baby feeding FB group and 'my baby will only drink squash' is such a frequent problem, and the thing is they end up refusing not just water but also milk, so then there really is no other drink they'll have but they end up having loads and loads of squash, not just the odd sip.

Hotbiscuits · 28/07/2019 19:31

Yes yabu. Very silly to a) give in to shouting and b) give him a taste of something. You’re setting him up with lifelong habits that shouldn’t include sweeteners. It’s not just about squash per se but the food culture and taste profile of that kind of processed crap. You’re teaching him to prefer it over healthy foods.