8 month old won't drink ANYTHING for childminder

[Feenie]

My 8 month old will drink breastmilk, formula, juice, water, etc out of an open doidy cup at home, but refuses everything for the childminder. He is there from quarter to 8 until half past 4, and I'm worried he will make himself ill. He eats okay, so why won't he drink for her?
His childminder has suggested that I stop breastfeeding so he gets used to formula - I will do this if I have to but feel very emotional about it. Please, any suggestions? Thanks.(Copy on childminders' board too.)

Feenie - stopping breastfeeding is (IMHO and I suspect yours!) is unkind to your baby - and might make him thirsty and uncomfortable.

I can understand you are concerned about hydration - making solids sloppier than usual should deal with that. It's good he eats for her. A cup placed on his tray with no forcing to use it will help - but he has to be 'allowed' to pick it up (or not) when he wants to.

In time, with patience and being relaxed, he will come round to taking fluids from a cup with her.

Of course you'll make sure he gets a nice feed when you collect him and has what he wants by way of drinks when he is with you at the weekends.

Hope this helps

Thanks Tiktok, I really wanted someone to share my opinion that stopping wouldn't be right either! I think the childminder genuinely thinks it would be best for him.
The problem with sloppy solids is that he'll only eat finger foods at the moment. He tolerates a little bit of porridge on a spoon for her, but keeps his lips tightly closed if a spoon comes near him at any other time, from anyone. I keep a Tommee Tippee drink next to him when he eats but he flings it straight to the floor - the only way he'll drink is out of a doidy cup if it is held for him by me or his Dad - but not for her.
I will check she keeps a cup next to him when he eats, just so worried he will end up dehydrating.

Feenie - confusing having 2 threads - have posted on your other one.

I know, it's confusing me too! Sorry.

Sloppy solids includes soft pear and other soft squashy fruits which have a high water content that he can squidge and suck.

He will come round to accepting a cup and it is really not worth stopping breastfeeding - what a gamble. You'll upset him, upset yourself and he might still be awkward about cups.

If he takes a cup and the breast at home, at 8 mths he will be able to survive without a proper drink in the day. If you force the issue you will create tensions and distress, and it just ain't worth it

Okay, thanks tiktok. I think I needed to hear that I'm not carrying on just for my own reasons, but for him as well.

He does enjoy pieces of melon, plums, strawberries and stuff that he can hold, I never thought that he would be getting liquid from those. Kind of went into panic mode the minute she told me I should stop breastfeeding!