Do you let your toddler have squash?

[Snowgirl1]

I drink sugar free squash as I'm not all that keen on plain water. DD is 18 months old and sees me drinking this and wants to try it. So far DD has only had water and milk (although doesn't seem to bothered about milk these days). Do you let your toddlers drink fruit juice and squash?

[RubyrooUK]

Nope. I hate squash, tastes horrible to me. DS1 who is nearly three loves water so don't see the point in offering it when I wouldn't buy it normally. He doesn't like fruit juice (although he loves fruit) and seems happy with water.

I usually take the approach that no food is banned in moderation but if a child doesn't really come across it and it has no major benefits, don't bother offering it.

[Loveworlds1]

Yes lool

[mrsbyers]

I would give children anything with artificial sweetners

[mrsbyers]

Sorry *wouldnt !

[MilkRunningOutAgain]

My PFB was on water and milk only until 4 or 5, and was quite happy with this. I didn’t have squash in the house at the time so it wasn’t an issue. Once my DD was born, she had constipation, both HV and doctor suggested diluted fruit juices and squash when she was about 7 months old to encourage her to drink- she wouldn’t take much water at all, nor milk (she had reflux). So I gave her squash with sweetener in a sippy cup and diluted fruit juice in an open cup at meal times. And DS of course joined in. Having said that both DCs drank water throughout primary school and now drink it at secondary too without it being an issue. We have squash available for them to drink at home and they do, but they also drink water, and milk and DS (now 17) has just started on tea and coffee, but that’s another thread...I only buy carbonated drinks for birthdays, Christmas or if we are eating out.

[Meangallery]

I wouldn't give my kids sugar free squash. Full sugar squash as a treat. But I wanted my kids to drink water - I grew up hating water (taught myself to like it in my 30's) and I wanted them to see drinking water as normal.