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Original poster

1 year old ans squash

24 replies

Cluelessfirstimer · 13/06/2023 21:19

1 year old DS will not drink water. Never has been a fan. Eats really well - weaning was easy. He will literally eat anything I put in front of him.

The problem is water. The last few days we have been out and about most of the day (holiday) and 2 days ago I had to crack and give him heavily diluted squash. It was just too hot and he was borderline dehydrated - sweating, no wet nappies etc.
He has also cut back massively on his milk (his choice- I always offer 3 bottles a day still )

He LOVES IT. Went through 3 cups today.
I'm obviously worried because all I hear is how bad it is for them and how I'll ruin his teeth. Is it that bad? It's really diluted. In this heat I don't care - I would rather he drink than not but I am concerned he will never touch water now.

Tried to switch it with water earlier and he spat it out and chucked it at me.

Am I a terrible mother

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NuffSaidSam · 13/06/2023 21:23

Heavily diluted squash is fine. It's the sweetener and additives that are the problem more than the sugar.

Will he drink fresh juice? Fresh apple/orange juice watered down would be better.

Or milk? Cold milk, not baby milk.

You can also give him foods like watermelon or cucumber that are full of water and get it into him that way.

PlantDoctor · 13/06/2023 21:27

This is how DD started on squash, but we've had to cut her off. Her dentist said it's AWFUL for their teeth (even no added sugar) because they are constantly costing their teeth in fruit sugars and acids all day. I'd try to reduce the dilution every day until it's just water (which is what we have done).

PlantDoctor · 13/06/2023 21:28

Coating, not costing. Dentist said milk is ok too

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MyMachineAndMe · 13/06/2023 21:43

Probably not ideal but if it's a choice between super watered down squash or dehydration then I'm sure it's fine.

Remember too that there is a lot of water in fruits (still with the sugar though) and some veg so that will add to his liquid intake.

Lcb123 · 13/06/2023 21:45

What about fruit tea, cooled and diluted - no sugar then.

uncomfortablydumb53 · 13/06/2023 22:51

I used to put a splash of high juice squash into water at that age
They've all grown up with perfect teeth
There are some additive free squashes nowadays

Original poster

Cluelessfirstimer · 14/06/2023 07:41

Thanks all. He has a lot of watermelon since he was small because he wouldn't drink water so usually I don't worry as much but just the last week the heat has been so much.

Haven't tried tea, but good idea.

I guess for now a bit of squash won't kill him, and the lesser of two evils in this weather.

I'll try to keep weakening it and hopefully we can get it to near enough water eventually

OP posts:

Scirocco · 14/06/2023 08:50

Diluted squash is much better than a dehydrated child.

PurBal · 14/06/2023 08:58

It took DS ages to drink water and we had a few dry nappies when it was warm but he drinks non stop now. He also discovered squash / juice on holiday but we don’t offer it at home.

User12357667 · 14/06/2023 09:06

Go with diluted juice not squash. It’s the same as what you’re trying to do but without the refined sugars and additives.

HappiDaze · 14/06/2023 09:10

Scirocco · 14/06/2023 08:50

Diluted squash is much better than a dehydrated child.

Yes definitely this

Original poster

Cluelessfirstimer · 14/06/2023 10:01

Scirocco · 14/06/2023 08:50

Diluted squash is much better than a dehydrated child.

Very true and literally what I'm thinking right now. He's already had one whole cup this morning before his nap. Didn't want his morning milk but ate all his breakfast.

I'll worry about it at a later date when it isn't so hot.

Thanks all ❤️

OP posts:

headcheffer · 14/06/2023 12:13

Agree with everyone. I got roasted by people for giving my DD squash but she was just not drinking water no matter what I tried. She's now three and is always asking for my water bottle so don't worry that he will never get in to water!

ilovemydogmore · 14/06/2023 12:15

Lcb123 · 13/06/2023 21:45

What about fruit tea, cooled and diluted - no sugar then.

Fruit tea is horrendous for teeth, event for adults.

ilovemydogmore · 14/06/2023 12:16

How about a small amount of fresh fruit puree mixed in there? Like watermelon as you mentioned, strawberries or pineapple could also be nice.

BlueberryBasket · 14/06/2023 13:02

We've had some success with ice cubes making plain water more exciting and appealing.

But definitely better to have the squash than be dehydrated at the moment!

ManchNic · 14/06/2023 13:52

I have drunk nothing but squash since I was tiny and my teeth are fine! I don't like water but I don't drink tea, coffee or any fizzy drinks either.
My 7 year old wouldn't drink water and still drinks lots of squash, my 2 year old will only drink water 🤷‍♀️
Even not considering dehydration I just don't think squash is that bad!

PaperNests · 14/06/2023 13:59

You may have tried this already but I found letting them choose a water bottle worked well to encourage water drinking at a similar age. You can get those ones in the toddler section of supermarkets that are no spill in different colours with a cute picture on it. Somehow the novelty meant they didn't notice it was still the same water they didn't want before. I also got one of those make your own ice lolly sets for toddlers, little mini lollies, but just froze water in them for hot days

Sirzy · 14/06/2023 14:06

He is drinking and that’s what matters! Ds is 13 and autistic because of that he literally wouldn’t drink water or milk when he was younger so he drank dilute squash. Now he is older he will drink flavoured water and we are now starting to get some plain water into him.

he sees the dentist every 3 months and has had not one problem with his teeth so it’s not a given that squash will ruin teeth. Dehydration from not drinking is a much bigger risk

SamanthaVimes · 14/06/2023 14:08

My DD (almost 3) has weak squash because otherwise she won’t drink. She was getting really painfully constipated before and now she poos fine. It’s the lesser of two evils in my book 🤷‍♀️

BloodyCatArgh · 14/06/2023 23:30

@ilovemydogmore

Worse than juice/squash? Why?

Creepyrosemary · 15/06/2023 02:05

Mine likes fruit teas. No sugar, but sweet taste. I do give caffein free ones so she doesn't bounce off the walls.

Seddon · 15/06/2023 02:10

I would be very careful about diluted juice or tea that contains citrus or other acidic fruit.

Not only bad for teeth, terrible for stomach lining if you're sipping it all day. I know people who got stomach ulcers from it - I was heading that way myself with awful heartburn but GP caught it in time.

ilovemydogmore · 15/06/2023 09:35

BloodyCatArgh · 14/06/2023 23:30

@ilovemydogmore

Worse than juice/squash? Why?

Acids that linger on your teeth. Ask any dentist

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