Sugar free squash?

[swirly456]

My 15 month old has only ever been offered water as a drink (and breast feeds too and has cows milk In a cup).
However, he hardly drinks any water, he just throws the cup.
I was worried today as he'd literally drank 1 ounce all day and his nappy was dry for hours. He had only had one breast feed at 6am and we were out. I bought him some squash and it was very weak and he drank a whole 6oz.
Is sugar free squash really that bad?

yes, it’s all artificial sweeteners, really not good for you

I would do your own research...what does the science say about Artificial sweeteners and toddlers

Have you tried different cups?

Yes multiple cups. The most success is with TUMTUM straw cup

Ok but what do you do when your child won't drink?

You did what you could to make sure your little one was hydrated! You did absolutely the right thing

My DS had a phase of having very weak sugar free squash ('pink water'). I'd rather he was hydrated than wasn't and I never underestimate the ability of toddlers to dig their heels in and be stubborn when they've decided they're not going to do something. For what it's worth, DS is 3 now and only drinks water and milk these days.

During the heatwave last year my little one was just not drinking. Put the tiniest bit of squish in as I was worried about her getting dehydrated, she downed it. I'd rather have a hydrated toddler than a dehydrated one, if it works it works. She has water with meals.

My DD doesn't like water but will drink squash. I'd rather she was properly hydrated so she has sugar free squash.

If it's the artificial sweeteners that bother you, you could perhaps look at the squashes that are higher in fruit so have natural sugar instead.

Just massively dilute it - but I guess you can use a sugar one in that case??

Water down pure apple juice as if it's squash, that's what mine all had, grown up and perfect teeth. I didn't like the idea of all those artificial sweeteners.

You just keep trying different cups etc…..
Or stick to milk until they will drink water. Also try water at different temperatures?
with crushed ice cubes. Or quite hot.
Giving them an alternative at that age, will probably make your life harder in the long run, and we’ll as having negative consequences for their health and teeth.
Try leaving cups of water around the house/ play area, that they can pick up on their own without you ‘ telling’ them to, giving them some autonomy in their drinking.
Sorry if I’m repeating what’s been said, I was asked, I haven’t read the rest of the thread!

It's better than not drinking. I'd rather have well hydrated children, who drink sugar free squash. Than dehydrated ones that won't drink water. But that's with my paediatric nurses hat on. I don't care what kids drink as long as they drink!

And since the majority of us on this thread grew up on full sugar squash and survived. I don't see the issueZ

I would use a natural juice diluted if water failed. So perhaps apple juice ? I don't allow my older children with those sugar free squashes.

But we’re not talking about poorly children, we’re talking about trying to establish good heathy routines for life!

Sugar free squash super diluted won't do him any harm at all, being dehydrated will.

Yes there are some questions around sweeteners, but there's have been lots of meta studies showing no risk of harm.

In an ideal world it's better if they stick to milk and water but toddlers don't live in an ideal world.

I'm nearly 40. Drink several glasses of squash a day. I'm perfectly healthy.

Some kids just dont drink water. You can try it different temps, with ice etc. My sister to this day doesnt drink water, only squash. Still has all her teeth!

I find my youngest will always want to drink out of my water bottle. For some reason water in a ‘grown up’ bottle is much more tempting. Could you try that?

Mine have both had very weak squash since about 18 months, as others have said, would rather a hydrated child than a dehydrated one!

They both have lovely teeth too according to our dentist!

YANBU OP. I've started giving my 16 month old squash this week (very diluted). There's a lot of handwringing on MN about artificial sweeteners (which is bizarre because mostly they're a sensible bunch and the only other people I know who get like this about sweeteners are all anti-vaxxers and anti-fluoride toothpaste etc) but the quantity he's getting in very dilute juice isn't worth worrying about if it gets him drinking.

DS 7 was similar with water. ( and still is) . He has had weak squash from a similar age. He goes to the dentist every 6 months and has never had any problems .

If you're diluting it down anyway I'd use a fruit juice too. Apple juice probably. Rather a hydrated toddler than a dehydrated one.