How Can I Stop This or Should I Be Concerned It's Something to Be Worried About?

Yes, it is a problem, as juice has a lot of sugar (even 100% juice) and is terrible for teeth, not to mention the GI issues. In addition, calories consumed by drinking juice take away from calories that could be consumed by the more fiber-rich fruit itself.

I have a juice lover too and she drinks like a fish. But I limit her to 8 oz of diluted juice per day. After that, it is only milk or water -- and NOTHING after dinnertime. I would start by diluting the juice 50/50 and gradually add more water. It is not going to be easy to break the habit -- the first few days could be terrible. She might throw the cup back at you if it is not what she is used to, but you will have to be strong. But it should get better after that. The nighttime habit is particularly bad, not only for the waking, but for her teeth, and bedwetting. Perhaps after a few nights she will realize that water is not worth waking up for and she will just sleep through the night?

Too much juice isn't very good for little ones, because of the amount of sugar (even the natural sugars in 100% juice). If all she will drink is juice, you may want to dilute her drinks... mix one part juice to 2 or 3 parts water. That way, she's getting the flavor of the juice, but with a lot less sugar. It may take her a little getting used to, but after a while, she'll get used to the lighter flavor and won't know any different.
Good luck!!

I've read the other responses and they say mostly the same as I would. But I'd also like to point out that the flavored waters, without exception as far as I've seen, are full of citric acid. This is also bad for teeth as it can eat away tooth enamel just like juice can. I only allow my son the equivalent of one small cup of juice or flavored water per day, sometimes not even that (he's almost 5 now). Mostly he drinks milk or plain water. Has she already been to the dentist? If not, get her there immediately before there is any significant tooth damage. Just keep reminding yourself, you are in charge of what she gets, not her!! Good luck.

You need to have her sugar checked by her pediatrician. Constant thirst could be a sign of juvenile diabetes.

In the baking section of our grocery store, I bought a powdered orange that can be used in baking etc. It has no artificil sweetners, nor hardly any sugar, and was great mixed into water. My daughter also likes "limaide" lime juice in her water - especially when she gets to squeeze it. (She is 3 1/2).

We had the same problem with milk/chocolate milk, because she does NOT get juice, except at birthday parties and sometimes at restaraunts. We made a felt chart on the wall, and I cut out 2 white milks and 1 chocolate milk (dr. said to try not to let her have much more than 25-30 ounces of dairy, and she eats a lot of cheese and yogurt). There are also lots of blue waters

Every time she makes her choice, I move that cup to the other side, so she knows it is now off the list. She now knows her limits, and makes the concious decision to have a water with snack because she wants a milk with dinner, or vice versa. We aren't fiting because "she is in control".

Other than that, I would just start watering down the juice slowly more and more over time, and eventually give her no more than 1/4 juice, the rest water. Since she is a juiceaholic I would do it in the bottle, since at that age she is definitely smart enough to see what you are doing if you don't fill the glass, and then walk to the water!

Good luck.

PLEASE cut out the juice during the night immediately! If milk is bad for little teeth at night, I can just imagine juice! You may have 2-3 bad nights, but it is worth it I hope!

Many pediatricians recommend that juice only be drunk in the kitchen when it is given, since the most damage is from sipping slowly over time on the teeth. Perhaps you could try a rule, she can drink her juice standing a the sink, but she can't walk around like that.

Additionally, we have a grandparent with false teeth. We explained to our 3 year old that you lose your teeth if you don't take care of them, which quickly fixed the teeth brushing fight.

She is old enough to explain what could happen to her teeth!

Hey, I hate to be the bearer of bad news. But every health thing I have read about kids and juice is that they should really have no more than 4-6 ounces of 100% juice a day. I give me son about 3 ounces in his sippy cup with about 5 ounces a water and he gets that cocktail twice a day - plus his milk of course. When I a child I had constant diarehha. It turns out that I had mal-absorbtion sydrome and my body couldn't process apples. Once my mom switched to grape it was okay. Is it any specific type of juice that upsets her tummy? Hope this helps... don't forget how bad all the sugar is for her little teeth! She should really only have water at night, that's when cavities really form b/c saliva from talking isn't washing away the sugar. ---- I'm not telling you what to do. I can't imagine having 2 sleeping children in my home and allowing my third child to have a screaming tantrum. I'm sorry that you're having this challenge. Best of luck!!

Hi K.,
I had the same problem with my daughter. We were constantly filling her juice cup and therefore she was constantly going to the bathroom. What worked for us was to begin slowly diluting her juice more and more until we are now at a 50/50 ration of juice and water. Too much water at once and she will notice!! Also, we had to start using a pitcher and dilute the juice in there so she didn't see us add the water or she would not drink it. This is still working for us. She gets the flavor of the juice and the water that her little body needs. Hope this helps

I really don't have that much advice except try to offer her water. I'm going thru the same thing with my 2 yr old daughter except she wants milk all the time. She even wakes up at least once asking for milk. I make her take water and yes, she will cry for a while and then she will grab the cup of water and go back to sleep. If you are really concern I will take her to the docter and ask for them to check her for diabetes. I know that always thirsty is one of the signs. If she pees a lot that is another sign. I hope this helped some. Good luck.

My son is 6 and he has done the same since he was a baby. He drinks milk alot and usually gets soda or juice when we go out to eat. We give him water in between and he didn't like it to begin with but he loves it now. You might even try the sugar free single packs of kool-aid or something with all of that sugar. It may help.

Definatly get her checked by the doc. Also, water it down. When either of my kids get juice, it is 75% water and 25% juice. Also, we only drink milk with breakfast and dinner. And if they don't drink their milk for breakfast, no juice until after nap (after 3:00) If she won't drink milk, try getting some of those Carnation instant breakfasts in vanilla or vanilla powder to give it some flavor. My husband has always hated the taste of milk, since he was born, he was drinking watered down apple juice. Some just don't like the flavor.
Oh and by the way, Great job for getting along with the stepdaughter and her mom, I know how rough it can be. I was a step daughter a few times and it was rough if everyone didn't get along.

Hey there,

One thing I would be worried about it diabetes. One symptom if thirst and another one is craving sugar. Both those cravings are satisfied with juice. I would have her blood sugar checked, you just never know.

Good luck!
S.

Talk to your doctor. At face value, this sounds like diabites. People with diabites (and not treated) are constantly thirsty and hungry and will loose weight even though they eat a ton. Their body is starving because it can't get any nutrients from the food. My uncle has diabies and my cat (I know not exactly comparable) also had diabtes - both had to have insulin injections and adjust their diets (high protein, low sugar).

It may just be that your daughter is getting too much sugar and it's affecting her blood sugar levels, causing her to drink more.

If it's not that, I'd recommend starting to mix juice and water. I use about 1/3 juice to 2/3 water. I also only allow two cups of juice a day, one cup of milk, and the rest is water (my children are 6 1/2, 4 1/2, and a baby).

Good luck!

Not to scare you, but you may want to see/talk to your pediatrician. Being thirsty often and waking at night to get something to drink could be a sign of high sugar levels or diabetes.

You should definately talk to her doctor. There is obviously something wrong. I have heard that diabetes can cause you to be thirsty a lot. And drinking that much juice is NOT good at all for her is SO many different ways! That is a LOT OF SUGAR & her teeth could pay the consequences (especially with the late night drinking that just plasters the sugar right on to her teeth inviting cavities). Not to mention the problems that intake of that much sugar can have on her weight in the future, as well as causing diabetes. Please seek professional help, and for the time being try low sugar juices, or no-sugar juices, and tell her that is all she can have, and STICK TO IT! She is only three, you are the boss, and her health is more important than a fit or meltdown that may occur because of the change. God Bless!

I too would go the diabetes route...IF it was a general thirst for ANything. But you say its only JUICE. So I dont know about that but checking for diabetes cant hurt. In the meanwhile DO talk to your dr. and also Water down that juice. 1/2 and 1/2. And do continue to offer other drinks. Depending on how "mean" you want to be you could just offer say milk and tell her she cant have juice til the milk is drank. SHe may go all day with no drink before she drinks the milk but you might just have to do that once or twice before she gets the point, but she will be ok. Anything is worth a try. My kids too demand juice all the time and hate water and wont drink cold milk from a cup. So I know how frustrating it can be. Good luck.

She should not be having that much juice it is not healthy. Here is where it's hard to be a parent...let her melt down. Water down what juice she does have. Give her milk a few times a day (even flavored) and then WATER. If she has juice at night (and is sleeping with a sippy cup)it will rot her teeth. If she is excessively thirsty talk to her doctor then may be a medical reason for that (Diabetes, gland issues, etc.. After that has been checked out...be the parent! My son played the "I need a drink game" in the middle of the night when he was 3. I had a few rough nights, but by knowing that he had enough to drink during the day, I set the rule. Sips before bed and only water after brushing his teeth and nothing else until morning. Now he sleeps throught the night, doesn't need to get up for potty (or have accidents) and has healthy teeth. If you need back-up and your daughter likes to take advice from others (Doctor, Teacher, etc.) have them reinforce and teach her the rules. Good luck!

Have you tried the flavored water? Its better than juice b/c there isnt' all that sugar and she might be more open to drink that being that it has the flavor to it. It also might quench her thirst better. Have you asked your dr about her drinking so much? There might be an under lying cause.
Good Luck, Keep us posted...

I had this same problem with my son and hot chocolate. For us it was part habit and part control, melt downs to get what he wanted. We stopped having it in the house. I just calmly gave him a choice of water or milk or nothing. Also, if it was getting close to meal time the choice was water or nothing because I didn't want him to fill up on milk and not eat. Yes he did have screaming temper tantrums that I ignored. It took a couple of days, but we finally broke the habit. Also, it was several months before we had hot chocolate in the house again and he was only allowed two cups per day. One last tip: To make the water more appetizing you can add a slice of orange, lemon or lime. My son is almost 5 now and is primary drink is water, same with my 6 year old daughter.
Hope this helps.
P.

A little about me:
I am 43 married 12 years this coming may. Home schooling mother of my darling boy who will be 5 in May, and my wonderful daughter who is 6.

Hi,

As others have said, please have your pediatrician check her for diabetes first. If she is ok, then start watering down her juice. My 3 year old would only drink juice for the longest time. I gave maybe 1/4 of the cup juice then the rest water. I figure that little bit would add up to the daily serving. Also, at night, we allow a little cup of water in her room and that's it. When that is gone then no more until moring.

My hunch is that the juice is making her more thirsty. My suggestion is buy a jar of juice, water it down while your child is not looking, and keep that up for a while to ease her off of the habit. A trip to the doctor can't hurt just to make sure she's okay. Good luck!

Hi, K., My concern with the juice, especially at night, is the sugar content. All that juice could be setting her up for tooth decay. I would be firm at night - no juice! If she crys for a few nights, she'll learn that you mean business. Good luck! N. B.

I believe that being thirsty, atleast in adults, is one of the signs of a diabetic and yes I would be concerned. Ask you Dr. As for not wanting anything else besides juice, maybe chalk that up to being 3. I did hear recently somewhere that they recommend only 3-4 oz. of juice a day until they are 6.

My now 3 year old son has been like that for as long as he has been able to drink from a sippy cup. We give him anything to drink and it is gone in less then 5 min. I just try to stay away from too much juice or water it down some, because he gets diarrea too. I try to give him more water than anything. If she can drink with out a lid, that has seemed to help him not drink as fast and as much. Good luck!

I would cut her off all juices and sweets. Just fresh fruit, water and broths (for minerals). Then get her to a doctor.

She's definitely got issues with sugar.

~L.
www.accesspilates.com
www.notaboutfood.com

Maybe you could try flavored water? I know PUR makes a water filter that you can use with fruit flavored tablets to make fruity water. Juice is terrible for kids even though it's advertised as so healthy! It sounds like you're on the right track to break her "juice addiction".

i guess first I should ask what type of juice? Is it the sugary junk juice or something like ocean spray cranberry?

Second...my daughter is a juice addict too..i water hers down in waves throughout the day. (she is not diabetic) I give her full to 3/4 strength first ting in the day, then add more water and less juice throughout the day and by the time late afternoon rolls around she's drinking mainly water with just a touch of juice (for color mainly). I give her only Ocean Spray juices and generally go for the low suger ones like plain Cranberry or Cran-Grape (the cran-strawberry and peach and such have alot more suger).

Also, to help with the diarrea...I add a little powered fiber to her juice (I use about 1/8 a teaspoon in the first cup of the day mixed well) and it will help curb the diarhea until you can wean her from the juice. If 1/8 teaspoon does't do the trick increase it to 1/4 teaspoon but as far as I know you shoulnd't go over 1/2 teaspoon for young kids...check the label on your fiber. I use the fruity flavor and she has never noticed the difference!

Hi K.,

Have you called your pediatrician or the nurse in his office about your concerns?

There is a parenting support group at:

http://Attachmentparenting.meetup.com

Good luck. D.

I have to agree with Sara L.'s comment. I am a nursing student and we were recently discussing diabetes in class. It seems as though signs of diabetes can start as early as 2-4 years old. You didn't mention if she is potty trained. If she is, is she getting up to go at night? Is she wetting the bed? It wouldn't hurt to have a fasting blood sugar done on her.
Hope this helps!

Hi K.. I'm not sure on this...but two things came to mind immediately. First... this significant thirst is one of the primary red flags/symptoms of Diabetes. Has she been tested? I have two friends with 4 year olds that were just recently diagnosed. Both are healthy, avg weight, normal kids. It was a shock to both families. The other could be a sugar "addiction". There is a great booked called "Little Sugar Addicts" by DesMaisons. I highly recommend it. It will explain the dangers of getting too much sugar...especially without a proper balance of protein and fiber, how behavior is linked and how to ween her off the sugar addiction, slowly and safely. Hope this sheds some light. T.

I recently read that excessive drinking could be a symptom of diabetes. You should call her pediatrician and discuss the issue. In the meantime, just give her water so she doesn't get diarrhea or dilute the juice with water.

She should NOT be drinking juice at night..this and milk can start causing issues for her teeth!
Check with your pediatrician!
This is really, important!
Water is the best thing to give her..if your doctor agrees with this...Ask the doctor about this first...

But, no more milk or juice!!

Take care,
J.

You may need to have her checked for Diabetes or something else. When I was a nanny in college, I went through very similar issues. She was wetting the bed at night (4 years old) because she HAD to have something to drink all of the time. She would beg me for liquids and I couldn't say no because she was obviously thirsty. Giving juice is the worst to a diabetic. Next time give her water and have a doctor check her blood sugar levels ASAP. One of the key symptoms of Diabetes is unquenchable thirst. Fortunately, I knew this and was able to help her before it caused any damage. I hope this is not the issue for your child. My prayers are with you.

I would start gradually watering it down. Just 1/5 cup then on down.

As far as nighttime, if you are assured that she has had enough to drink before bedtime, she is just going to have to cry it out or have you wait in the room until she falls back to sleep.

This is very common for kids, but you might have your ped. check for diabetes just to rule it out.

Hmmm, is hse losing weight?
Too much sugar I'd think, and think of her teeth. I know a 3 yr old that was given too much juice and her teeth are rotten.
Sounds like she is really hungry perhaps? I'd changed to water and milk! My son drinks a lot w/o diarreh, he needs it becuase of his helath condition.
If she is losing weight, take her to the doc. asap
Try feeding her more...esp before bed, but stay away from sugar, she needs bananas, rice, applesauce and toast right now to firm upher bowels. If she likes yogurt give her some!
My best 4 you!

I don't know if it's anything that you need to worry about, but my step-son has type I diabetes and one of the symptoms *and there are many, so don't freak out!* is excessive thirst. Just keep an eye out for lethargy and odd behaviors. Type I is genetic and not behavior forming.

It actually sounds like she is addicted to the sugar. You definitely need to cut her off, especially drinking it a night because it is going to cause her to have cavities. I would cut her down to one a day, that's about all she should probably have. She will have meltdowns at first but after she realized that you aren't going to budge then she'll stop. My dr's advise was if she's truly thirsty she'll drink what you give her so don't think that she's going to get dehydrated because once she realizes you mean business she'll take the water w/no problems.

Hi K.,

I had the same issue with mine. I have a daughter - 4 & a son - 2. They love juice & will drink it all day if I let them. They refuse anything else. They would drink so much, that their diapers would not hold everything at night & I'd have to wash sheets daily. So, I made it to where if they wanted juice, they had to drink a glass of water first. If they don't drink their water, they don't get juice. Sometimes they only drink 1 glass of juice a day now. Sometimes they actually ask for water. So, try that, it may help. She'll throw a fit for a while, but it will pass. Good luck & God bless!

You should be concerned about diabieties (sp??). Constant thrist is one of the major signs. I would contact your peditrician.

Have your daughter seen by a Pediatrician to make sure there is nothing medical going on. If not, and you determine that she just has a preference for juice, start diluting it with water, starting with a small amount and increasing it up to 50% over time and as she gets used to the new dilution. There is allott of sugar in juice.