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14 month old refuses to drink anything

4 replies

DebsCee · 02/10/2005 13:37

My son has been able to use a spouted cup since 9 months old, but for the last 2 months has absolutely refused to drink anything from it, be it milk, water or juice - not a thing. I have always left a cup in the lounge where he plays and he would pick it up to drink, never much in one go, but by the end of the day it would be empty. I've even tried open cups of different shapes and sizes but it's made no difference. Now he doesn't even try to have a drink and if I try to get him to drink he gets upset and pushes the cup away. I am having to resort to putting the cup in his mouth for a second to get any liquid in to him. Obviously he is now getting constipated so it's much more important. I really don't know what to do or what to try next. Apart from not drinking he is eating and sleeping well and is acting fine. But when he poos he is quite distresed and it takes him 30 mins to 'go'. I'm adding liquid to all his meals but it's not enough. Help please...

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sunnyside · 02/10/2005 18:41

Will he drink from a bottle? I'd prefer him to drink and then worry about the bottle thing if I were you. You've probably tried that already I guess.

DebsCee · 02/10/2005 18:45

Sorry, I should have said he has been off of bottles since 9 months - he always hated them! I guess I'm looking for another way for him to drink - different style of cup/juice - whatever works really!

OP posts:
Seona1973 · 02/10/2005 19:28

I would probably try to back off a bit and not try to make him drink as it sounds as if its turned into a battle of wills (which you will never win!!). If you stop trying so hard to make him drink when you want him too he might be more inclined to drink when he wants to. Just leave the cup available like you did before and try not to make a big deal about it - do remind him about it (without nagging) and do praise him when he uses it.
You could also go shopping for a new big boys cup for him to use - the novelty factor could help you there. We also recently bought dd some curly plastic straws which she likes to use - something else to try.
Above all, try not to worry (and buy some prunes to help your lo 'go')
take care, Seona

WitchWamBam · 02/10/2005 19:33

Have you tried an open cup? Maybe he wants to drink the way he's seen you drink. My HV always reckoned that babies should start on open cups (with help, of course!) although I didn't because dd couldn't get the hang of it. You can get doidy cups which are tilted so that they learn how to drink from them without tipping the fluid all over themselves.

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