is it cruel to offer water and no juice?

[butterscotch]

Sorry to sound like a meany mummy but what is the point in offering juice? I mean I know it has vits in but surely when the weaning stage starts DD will get these from the veges and fruits offered? I am concerned if I offer FJ watered down or the "baby juice" they sell she will get a sweet tooth and not take water in the future? I drink water by the bucket load and would take water over coke, lemonade or juice and it is often a better option imho for a child? but am I cruel or is there something obvious i am not seeing? I am also thinking that you can get mineral water anywhere and it taste pretty much the same so when travelling on holiday or different part of uk no "brand specific" juice faves to content with? Or am I over reacting?!?!?!

DS (13m) wouldn't drink water at all to start with and got very constipated so I had to get something in him. I gave him the baby juice very watered down. It says it's ready to drink but I tried a bit and it was really strong. I gradually reduced the juice and now he just has water which he now loves. Very occasionally he has a tiny drop of squash but he is happy with his water.

DS was around 6 months and formula fed. I asked the HV when he was around 5 months what to do about him not drinking water and she said not to worry.

No, DS has only ever had water or milk (bar a few cheeky sips of my coke and juice someone else gave him) and I doubt it'll change. Dhs half brothers kids came round once and refused to drink water, so DH had to go out early in the morning to get them Ribena - something I want to avoid with DS!

My DS has milk or water when he is with me. When he is with his Dad, he has juice. Lots of it. Undiluted. I know it won't really do any harm, and he could be consuming far worse but it does make me a bit