Can I give my 1 year old flavoured bottled water?

[x Helen x]

I gave my LO some Volvic touch of strawberry flavoured water yesterday and to my surprise she actually quite liked it (she has never been a big fan of plain water). Is it ok to give this to her?

 

[ellie27]

Check the bottle for the contents, I am guessing there is sugar/sweetener in it, so I would avoid it and just offer water instead, its cheaper too - straight out the tap!

 

[iiTTCii]

I wouldn't personally because of the sweeteners in the water. Plus, once she gets used to flavoured water, she will never take plain water.

 

[x Helen x]

Thanks for your advice

Do you think the sugar/sweetener content is the only thing to worry about? I wasn't sure whether there were any issues with bottled water in general (mineral content and what not).

My LO is currently pretty badly constipated (she suffers from chronic constipation, usually under control when she takes her medicine but she is refusing it at the moment) so really just getting any liquids in her at the moment would be great. Maybe I could give the flavoured water until the blockage has cleared and then switch back to plain water? I should probably note, the doctor has advised me that even sugary squash (though not ideal) would be better than no water at all given her circumstances, so although the sugar/sweetener content is certainly an issue I'm more concerned about her hydration levels at present.

It comes in a sugar free version (sweeteners, but no aspartame) and a normal version. Not sure which would be the best bet?

 

[x Helen x]

In fact if it's just the sugar/sweetener content that is the issue then I might try giving her plain Volvic bottled water and see if she likes that any better than tap water?

 

[xJessie91x]

I'd try the sugar free but like you say any liquid is better than none xx

 

[MindUtopia]

Me personally, I wouldn't want to give my daughter artificial sweeteners (which the sugar free versions have) or the preservatives. I'm not a big fan of juice for babies either, but I'd probably opt for a natural juice diluted with tap water in this case. It will still have sugar, but at least it's natural sugar and preservative free.

 

[special_kala]

Me personally, I wouldn't want to give my daughter artificial sweeteners (which the sugar free versions have) or the preservatives. I'm not a big fan of juice for babies either, but I'd probably opt for a natural juice diluted with tap water in this case. It will still have sugar, but at least it's natural sugar and preservative free.

 

[x Helen x]

Ok thanks

We've tried diluted fruit juice before (though it was quite a while ago) but no luck. Saying that I only every tried apple, prune and orange juice so I'll pop over to the shop later and see if I can find something a little more adventurous like strawberry or mango.

 

[Tor]

Me personally, I wouldn't want to give my daughter artificial sweeteners (which the sugar free versions have) or the preservatives. I'm not a big fan of juice for babies either, but I'd probably opt for a natural juice diluted with tap water in this case. It will still have sugar, but at least it's natural sugar and preservative free.

Agree with this too.

If diluted pure juice doesn't work I would go with the volvic with sugar rather than sugar free.

 

[Logan's Mum]

Me personally, I wouldn't want to give my daughter artificial sweeteners (which the sugar free versions have) or the preservatives. I'm not a big fan of juice for babies either, but I'd probably opt for a natural juice diluted with tap water in this case. It will still have sugar, but at least it's natural sugar and preservative free.

Yep was gonna suggest this, diluted pure juice. If you go for a decent one which is pure fruit like a smoothie, the fibre content albeit limited might help. X

 

[biglebowski]

Could you try tap water with a piece of fruit in - lemon or Orange slices. Even cucumber in water is lovely and adds a slight flavour.

 

[Reno]

I have smushed up strawberries/raspberries/blueberries/blackberries, shaken them in to his water and sieved before! Would avoid bottled water though, probably to avoid the plastic chemicals if nothing else!

 

[littlegreenie]

I'm obviously in the minority but I think that at a year old having it to help clear constipation is fine as long as it doesn't always beccone the main drink. Most babies I know drink squash now. If mine wants to try my squash she can but just a bit. She only has water in her cups. She's 15 months old. From 12 months I was more flexible with what she has. Tasting my squash hasn't meant she won't have water. She still does without issue so I don't think it does any harm. Constipation is very uncomfortable for babies so I would weigh it up and think that's fine. However other suggestions here like putting a slice of fruit in see great so if they work that would be a better option.

 

[summer rain]

When my eldest was small Boots and some baby food brands made flavoured waters for babies labelled as being suitable from 4 weeks! They were exploiting some loophole in baby food labelling laws which meant flavoured waters were exempt. Obviously when the government got wind of this they did something about it and the labels on some of these flavoured waters were changed and others withdrawn from the market. You can get flavoured mineral waters which are just flavoured with juice and natural sugar, preferable to sweeteners and you could dilute it further with tap water. Personally I think if your baby is constipated and something helps, it's a case of 'the lesser of two evils'. You could also try fennel tea it's safe for babies and also helps ease digestive transit, which may help with constipation more than just plain water xx

 

[sue_88]

No way would I give Volvic Flavoured Water to my baby - at any age! I don't even drink the stuff myself.

It contains SO MUCH sugar.....an mostly actually contain more sugar than sweet bakery products or fizzy drinks.

And then the no sugar stuff contains artificial sweeteners, which I wouldn't want in my baby either (I'm a Food Scientist....so I know the nasties!).

I'd just keep coaching with cool boiled water, and milk. Or if baby will absolutely not touch water, perhaps a very very dilute fruit juice.

 

[Bex84]

How about give her home made fruit smoothie than can make sure no sugar and sweetners other than the natural sugar in fruit. You could mix with milk or some water or even natural yoghurt to try get her to drink and would probably get her less constipated. My lo just has water with the odd juice drink (usually when see my parents as they see the need for fruit juice lol) and coconut milk as she is lactose intolerant. Im sure there is nothing awful in flavoured waters but I would be more inclined to just squeeze some fruit to but natural flavour in tap water. Wasn't there a study about bottled water not been fantastic anyway from plastic bottles due to chemicals in bottle (I have a vague recollection of this so don't take as gospel) my lo gets bad tummy anyway due to lactose so we just stick to good old tap water

 

[jd83]

I think its okay in small amounts, but I wouldnt make a habit of it. The sugar content is pretty high, and I def wouldn't switch to the sugar free kind. I think the alternative sweeteners are can be pretty bad for digestion because they aren't a natural form of sweetener. I know personally for myself, anytime I try to drink a diet drink with artificial sweeteners, etc it gives me a stomach ache. Every time.

Having said all that, I think giving her some right now to help with the constipation is okay, especially if she isn't drinking much else right now. You can always try to switch back to plain water, diluted juices after the constipation passes.

Have you tried making your own flavored waters? You can just cut up some fruits and place in a pitcher to steep with the water, naturally flavoring it. see if she likes that

 

[x Michelle x]

If she is constipated and its the only thing you can get into her then i would.
Once she feels a bit better you can dilute it with water and try making your own kinds of flavoured water as per the previous ladies suggestions.

 

[mhazzab]

It doesn't really answer your question but have you tried a sports cap bottle (with normal water?) sometimes my daughter refuses water but practically falls over herself to take it from the sports cap bottles lol. No idea why!
Just thought I'd mention incase you hadn't tried it x