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Behaviour/development

11 month baby won't drink

10 replies

lottytheladybird · 27/03/2013 22:01

My 11 month old DS2 doesn't like to drink from a bottle (I have tried three different ones) or a cup. It's a real struggle to get any fluids in him. I'm really worried, especially as he doesn't have a milk feed (breast) during the day at all now. (He unfortunately still nurses at night. I know I need to cut it out, but I am tired and weak willed! He can wake up to 10 times a night!)

I'm really concerned that he's not getting enough fluids, but I don't know what to do. I'll be grateful for any advice you have.

OP posts:
EnglishGirlApproximately · 27/03/2013 22:07

Honestly, keep trying cups. I was despairing of Ds and had bought every bloody fancy expensive bottle in Boots and he refused them all. His lovely cm was trying loads too then one day he decided he liked one which cost 99p from the market! I've also found that he'll only have cold drinks from it, just refuses anything not ice cold ( I think he thinks warm milk should be from breast or bottle so gets confused)

seaweed74 · 27/03/2013 22:27

Maybe try a straw? My older dd started to use a straw around this age. She also likes all her drinks very warm! Always has.

Are you using free flow lidded cups (like tommee tippee)? My dd's both struggled with non-spill cups.

lottytheladybird · 27/03/2013 22:41

I've tried a free flow one, which quite frankly just gets him and everything around him very wet. I've tried a non-spill one, but he doesn't seem to understand that he has to suck it. I've tried a bottle like the ones you would use to bottle feed a baby. He generally just doesn't like having a spout in his mouth, but then will just push a cup away. If I try and force him to put the spout in or put a cup to his lips, he'll just turn his head from side to side constantly, until I take the evil objects away from him.

OP posts:
TheEasterBunnyVsTheKids · 27/03/2013 22:43

I've just bought a new me for ds (also 11mnths)

Pound store special, has a little floppy lid and a straw that pops up. He loves it, I only ever give home water to drink, so no worries re straw and juice on teeth!

Jakeyblueblue · 27/03/2013 23:01

My ds isn't a big drinker, much prefers the breast. I've tried every cup going but I'd be another to say try a staw. I carry some in my bag with me so he can drink from any cup. He much prefers this to a cup. He also likes fruit shoot bottles, so I've got a few washed out ones that I put his water / juice in too. The other thing I give him regularly are the innocent smoothie cartons. He will gladly drink a whole one and that at least gives him some fluids!!
Also, like others have said, keep trying. Ds drinks more now than he used to. Sure you will find the same happens i your situation. As for feeding in the night, there's no need for you to stop, ds is 21 months, we still cosleep and he still feeds on and off. Perfectly normal and its giving him added fluids. Good luck!

brettgirl2 · 30/03/2013 07:54

Give him plenty of fruit. Grapes, melon are about 99% water anyway.

Runningblue · 30/03/2013 20:24

Homemade ice lollies just with water or perhaps a homemade fruit puree with water then frozen, are a good treat food, but also handily are healthy and pack in a bit of water... You can get the lolly kits from most supermarkets or i noticed annabel karmel has some baby weaning sized lolly moulds on amazon...

Iggly · 30/03/2013 20:31

Have you tried a straw?

LynetteScavo · 30/03/2013 20:35

What are you giving him to drink? DS2 refused to drink. I was only offering milk or water. Once I added a drop of apple juice to the water he thought it was much better. Still didn't drink the milk, though.

Would you be brave enough to offer a cup with out a lid?

FannyBazaar · 30/03/2013 20:43

How about trying a banana milkshake, just banana and milk in a blender? Or strawberries. You can make with frozen bananas or berries which makes it thicker (and colder) if that works better. You can add cinnamon to it too.

Take away the pressure, let him have the free flow one in the bath so it doesn't matter if it goes everywhere. Also just put a tiny bit of water in, you can always top it up. My DS wasn't drinking out of one until just after one, he used to just tip it up and see it as messy play before then, wasn't interested in drinking and could never manage the ones with a valve.

My DS doesn't drink a lot but is fine AFAIK, he's 8 now. A healthy baby or child will not allow themselves to dehydrate if food and drink is offered.

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