Is it possible for a toddler To dehydrate himself...

[Satnightdropout]

Hi, my 2 and a half year old is very into his bottle, but know it's more of a comfort thing than anything as he'll sit there chewing the teat for ages. He has a dummy so was hoping getting him off the bottle would be easy. How wrong am I!
This is the second time I've tried it, and he is the most stubborn child I've met. He usually has a beaker of water during the day (he doesn't like juice) and would take the odd sip here and there but didn't concern me too much as he was getting more than enough fluid through his milk. However, with the amount of milk he's consuming he has no appetite for food and is the fussiest eater going. I've now decided to take the bottle off him completely but now he isn't drinking anything at all. He had 11 ounces of milk in his cereal (the only meal of the day he'll have willingly) but hasn't touched a drop since. I've bought him another cup yesterday which is especially for his milk, and he'll carry it around but not drink from it - he had a few sips yesterday because of the novelty so it's not due to not knowing how to use it.

Shall I stick to my guns hoping he'll finally give in, or is it possible to for a toddler to dehydrate themselves to dangerous levels? I've tried jelly and all that jazz and he's having none of it. As I said, he's fussy with food.

[NeoMaxiZoomDweebie]

Can you give him a lolly ice? Some warm hot chocolate?

[Fazerina]

What about ice cubes? Mix in a small piece of fruit?

[WhispersOfWickedness]

What about an open cup and a straw? A curly whirly straw?

[sparkleshine]

I don't think he will suffer with dehydration, try not to worry. Maybe prompt him little and often. Have you tried fresh fruit juice as something different? My DS loves squeezing oranges then drinking the juice. Messy but fun!

Does he ask for drinks or milk? With my DS I leave out a drink for him on the table to take when he wants and top up when needed.

Can't really help with the bottle as DS blatantly refused his at 13 months and has been out of sippy cups since about 2 1/2. Have you tried a normal plastic cup with a straw? It's messy at first but they learn to steady themselves. You can get ones with handles or ribbed edges. The latest cup you bought, did he choose it? Make him involved in the process.

[Satnightdropout]

I don't mind mess just as longs he drinks, lol. Luckily he likes his fruit, and has 3 Weetabix each morning which uses a lot of milk so he's getting SOME fluid.
He picked out the cup and even asked for the milk from his bottle to be transferred over to it, but novelty wore off and wanted it back in bottle.
What I was more concerned about was him getting ill from not drinking enough but I'm thinking the thirstiness will overcome his stubbornness pretty soon.
I'm not backing down, lol. I've even resorted to making a jelly which I'm just going to leave lying about so curiosity gets the better of him. He shoves everything else in his mouth, lol, just won't let anything to be put in his mouth. He just needs to thank his lucky stars he's still got his dummy!