Drinking water

[kdm]

what about water softners? does the higher sodium content harm young babies?

kdm, we have a water softener, but it's not attached to the main kitchen drinking water. R.

Lolly, please do not allow your daughter unrestricted access to juice all day , however weak. If she goes back and forward to a cup of juice all day long her mouth will be constantly at a pH which favours decay. If you do decide to let her have juice, save it for once a day, at a meal.
Incidentally I am really skeptical about the need to tempt children into drinking by sweetening their water. Most kids will dring juice ( or coke, or anything sugary and tasty) by the gallon if it is made freely available to them, way beyond a level which could be explained by thirst or a physiological need for liquids. And I have yet to hear of a child who died of thirst or became seriously dehydrated if they had free access to water.(but I am willing to stand corrected!)
Children are not daft, and will hold out for the tastiest thing they know will be offered to them!

hello Lolly I used to have this problem with my daughter. Jasper's advice is quite correct but although your child may not die the constipation they can get if they don't drink enough can be very distressing. So my advice is to try a water filter or bottled water as your local supply may taste terrible. If that doesn't work try very dilute Toothkind - more dilute than it says on the bottle and give it to her after a meal. DONT give anything fizzy or fruit juice as both are acidic. She may also be happier to drink if given a straw to try - and that helps protect teeth too.

Lolly... have you tried giving water in an adult glass... like Mummy's glass or so. My son (2yo) refused milk... and a few days ago I asked him if he wanted milk in a coffee mug... and he drank it !
I agree with the others : don't give her juice all day... and if she doesn't want water, just don't give in for a day or 2 and offer only water. She will drink when she is thirsty - she needs to get out of the juice habit.

Hi
my dd's were not too keen on tap water, but with ice cubes and a slice of lemon it became far more desirable! They will also quite happily drink tap water if it is in a bottle and kept in the fridge!

Rhiannon,
thanks for your comments-but our water softener is connected too the entire house and i do worry that the salt will effect my babies drinking water & bottles- has anybody got any info ?