Toddler won’t drink water

[Sleepingonmyfeet]

This is a bit of a worry as he will drink juice and squash which I know he isn’t really supposed to have. Just wondering if it’s better not to have these at all? As he really drinks nothing otherwise.

It’s better to drink those than damage his kidneys. Have you tried cold water with ice cubes or fancy straws?

I would cut out the juice and get him a fancy exciting cup for water. Also consider the water content of his food.
You can’t let him damage his teeth to avoid the tiny chance that you won’t notice severe dehydration before he sustains kidney damage.

Another option is to slowly slowly reduce the squash/water ratio. Very slowly over time
Will he drink milk? That’s another option.

Great idea with the squash ratio

My GP said to me that sugar free squash (or watered down juice at an absolute push) is ok for my 16 month old. My son wont drink much water, but he does get very constipated so him drinking something is better than him drinking nothing

Yes start watering it down over time.

And fancy cup and ice cubes. Also model drinking it yourself.

OP Where is he getting the juice and squash from?

The same person who buys it from the supermarket knowing it's bad for him?

Stop buying it. He'll drink water

He won’t drink much milk - I suppose because it fills him up. He isn’t really fussed about special cups or anything but sees a fruit shoot and is off!

We used to have a rule that they could drink squash/juice but at mealtimes if they wanted a drink it had to be water

Even sugar free will damage his teeth. Juice should really only be given with meals to avoid erosion or tooth decay.

My toddler went through a period of refusing water too. I having worked in dentistry and have seen the teeth of children who will only drink squash, panicked, put my foot down and did a “we’ve run out of squash we’ll buy some more tomorrow have water for now” thing that after lots of tears and begging for squash/juice eventually have in and had water. Now we’re back to have juice only at meal times.

It’s so easy to get stuck in the juice rut, I feel for you. But please don’t give up with the idea that you’ll do any damage to them before they’ll drink water. I’d they’re thirsty, they’ll drink. And as long as you keep up the no juice thing for a while to get when used to water again then it won’t do them any harm.

• for now though I suggest nothing but water or milk, it gives them an option still without them having the option of juice, they still have some ‘control’

Thanks @iamsoreadyforbednow (me too) it is difficult as don’t want him to end up dehydrated but definitely want to avoid the squash and juice route.

My suggestion is the very slow dilution over time and when out being a filled water/juice bottle. Go cold Turkey on buying any drinks eg fruit shoots. If he asks just say no. Initially there might be protest but he will get used to it. You could also play pretend tea parties with water. And drink it. Does he see you drinking water?

Give him ice cubes. Or ice shavings.
And ice water.
Get him some cool straws and/or bottles

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My DD2 never drank water. She drank diluted fruit juice or squash. Very weak. Even as an adult at 24 she prefers to drink water with a splash of squash. She has perfect teeth.

Certainly wouldn't be giving jim fruit shoots!

Just stop giving him juice.

Have you tried food colouring in water?

I don’t think he’d be interested in the colours or straws etc, to be honest. Or ice cubes.

Yes to diluting as much as possible. I would also just start giving him water and calling it juice. My two year old hardly ever has anything other than water or milk but refers to every drink as juice.

My kids drink diluting juice, I’ve given up, dads won’t stop drinking it and they both need any liquid they can get to help with poos! I drank diluting juice and at 36 I have no fillings and all my own teeth! Some posters on here seem to think your giving your kids poison!

Dad!

Ds is 4 and wouldn’t touch water at all always juice but as soon as he started reception and they were only allowed water in the classroom he drank it no problem at all, never had any issues and so far so good with his teeth

I don't think sugar free squash is a big deal.

Have you tried putting water in an empty fruit shoot bottle? May work.

Or lots of soups for mealtimes.

I think when he’s older I’ll shamelessly resort to bribery but he is a bit young right now!

DD is mostly water and milk. But fruit tea bags (no caffeine) can be a compromise. No sugar though and I assume that's what yours is addicted to.