What age did you give your children squash?

[RedRobyn2021]

Just that really

Some days this summer my daughter hasn't drunk enough and we have had dry nappies

My mum thinks I'm overthinking it with squash, but she's only 18 months. I do t want to make a mistake.

Your mum is right 🙂

if you are nervous about squash, maybe due to sweeteners etc, put some fruit juice into water to make it taste less like water.

Never, really. It’s not something I’d generally buy for children. I will have bought the odd bottle now and again, though, usually for parties.

I think just keep offering water really often.
My dd is 18 months too, she's only had squash once in hospital when they were concerned about her sugar level, and she kept spitting it out!

My DS didn’t have squash on a regular basis until this summer when he has a cup a day, he’s just turned 5. As a odd treat, I think from about 2.5? Are there other drinks she will have like milk?

Yes, I was going to say maybe from age five occasionally. Not for a child in nappies.

18m is too young to give artificial sweeteners and sweetened drinks.
Artificial sweeteners aren't good for anyone,let alone a baby with their sensitive digestion syso.

Stick to water for as long as possible. Have them into drinking water by default to give them excellent life long habits.

DS1 was over 2 but would drink tonnes of water.

DS2 8m because he was unwell and it was the only way I could get fluids in

Mine are 7 and 3 and haven’t had it…. I prefer them to have water and milk. Makes me feel better when they are scoffing chocolate Hahha. Like it’s somehow more balanced.
your 18month old doesn’t need squash though , water is just fine

My 3 year old has had some this summer. Mainly because he drank mine. He sees it as an absolutely enormous treat. To be honest, if it's a choice between dehydration and squash, I'd go with the squash!

For fluids.

Give her ice cubes, yogurts, soups, berries/fruits, milk.

DD didn’t have squash til about 3 I think, then just an occasional thing and always with meals, water the rest of the time. DS is 2 and has not had any squash yet.

Maybe try an open cup and hold it for her to sip? She might like the novelty of “drinking like a grown up” (mine did, or using a “grown up” water bottle on occasion when I needed them to drink more).

buy those without artificial additives and no added sugar. I’ve no problem with DC’s having those.

My DS is 20 months and I haven't given it yet. I understand the temptation to help them drink more but once they taste squash you run the risk of them turning their nose up at water full stop. They don't know any different at the moment and if very thirsty will drink water.. we just make sure we consciously offer all the time. Sometimes he is a bit lazy but he's generally well hydrated. It's a tough one as it is inevitable but I'd stand firm at the moment as still quite young!

When my DS had covid. For a few days he was refusing food and water but only had milk so I had to bottle feed him. Dr recommended I add water to the bottle so I made up 5oz milk and put 3oz water in

Thanks for your replies. I do breastfeed her as well and she has oat milk (she's allergic to dairy). I'll just carry on as we are. We do offer her water a lot I almost think that's made it worse. Have had some success with drinking in the bath.

Never. Why would you? It’s got sugar in it.

Mine was around 18months=2 years when the constipation got the better of us.

so squash it was.

and now, as an older kid, he drinks water, milk, squash and the occasional fizzy lemonade in a restaurant.

perfect teeth, healthy weight. Drinks water with meals at home and at school.

I honestly think the answer is the keep offering a variety and worry less. If she’s dehydrated give what she will drink.

If she's not asking for it, I wouldn't give it. My DC is coming up for 5 and doesn't have it at home, only the occasional cup at parties.

Once DD was likinh and drinking water consistently. We never have squash at home, but she can have it if we go to pub or soemthing, i think first time was about 2yo

I always offer water, if we are out she can have the choice of milk or the squash if kids menu offers it but usually she'll have a glass of apple juice, i would rather she has juice than squash

One of my kids always has no added sugar squash before bed. She has great teeth. A dentist told me it’s better than milk before bed.
seriously sweeteners are on of the strictly tested ingredients ever. There is not being wrong with them. Fruit juice would wreck their teeth.
It is more important they are hydrated. I especially think it’s important when they are sick. Who wants to drink loads water when they are ill? Squash makes it easier to get a lot fluids down you.

Never. They drank water.

I don't understand why you would need squash? I'm not being goady, I just honestly don't see the point.

Around 13/14 months!
Got a sickness bug, couldn't keep anything down, ended up dehydrated in hospital on a drip. They gave him squash, in a bid to get his sugar levels back up along with the drip.

Re post above, which squashes have no sugar or additives? I thought they all had sweeteners and/or sugar.

We don’t buy it, so never

My DS is nearly 4 and he's never had it. I don't see the point. It's not especially healthy so I'm not planning on giving it to him. He does occasionally have juice though but that's a pretty recent thing too. 18 months in too young I think.