My DS won't drink water .... any suggestions?

[cjmummy]

My 16 week old DS has, like everyone else, been hot and bothered today but has taken his normal feeds. He has a bit of an upset tum and is a sicky baby so just a bit worried that he may need extra fluids in this heat ..... he won't drink water - has anyone got any suggestions?

then he aint thisrty?

Breastmilk is 80% water, an exclusively breastfed baby does NOT need water. Extra breastfeeds maybe.

is it as simple as that? he has never drunk water ... admittedly I have only tried a few times as he used to be exclusively BF - thought that maybe he just didnt like it as he screws his face up in disgust!

so does he drink formula?

He is pretty much formula-fed now ... with only a BF once a day.

If you are breastfeeding, breastmilk is all you need. My dd is perfectly happy with it !

As long as he is taking his normal milk drinks, i wouldnt worry too much.
keep persisting with the water though, i did and it eventually payed off. (he was much older when he eventually had water though)
HTH.

If exclusive bf no need to give water.{despite what everyone tells my mum- rolls eyes}

I mean except for breatsnilk, what does he eat ? at 16 weeks it can be only breastmilk in which case he doesn't need water.

Ha.,.. so he has formula, that is a bit different.
Have you tried a cup?

pupuce ... he has formula with a very occasional breast feed ... i havent started weaning yet

Is he breast or bottle fed? If breast, then all (I think) you can do is offer him more feeds. If bottle, then keep offering water - they don't like it at first because it's different but if you persist they will eventually take it. I worried about this when ds was born in the middle of a heatwave. But he survived! And I'm sure yours will too, as he is taking his normal feeds. Obviously do all the stuff to keep him cool, reducing layers of clothing, keeping him out of the heat, closing your curtains and bathing him with lukewarm water (not cold) if you think he's too hot.
Bit vague but HTH.

might give the cup a go ....

Can't you add a little more water to the usual amount of formula and that way he will get some water. Or it that totally frowned on these days?

to be honest, that was what I was wondering ... but didn't know whether it was a good idea - maybe if it is as hot tomorrow I will try putting a bit more water in his formula

I think this is frowned upon because then they don't get all the nutrients they need. Just as adding an extra scoop for luck is a v. bad idea.

Well I used to but I hardly dared to mention it as I know I am out of date. But if you gave baby say a 7 oz bottle and then got him to drink 1 oz of water, why not give him 7oz milk made up with 8 oz of water? I am sure someone will tell me why not!

that was my theory but I haven't done it yet .... just in case!

Try giving the water luke warm, it "fooled" my son into drinking water.

thanks everyone ... will go them a go

if you are really worried he needs water and wont take it from a bottle/cup etc. use a clean spoon

they don't like it at first because it's different but if you persist they will eventually take it.

Hmmm - finally succeeded with DS1 drinking water about 6 months ago........he 4 3/4yrs.

DS2 - won't touch the stuff, he's 18 months and been trying since he was little. [frown]

Hmm I wonder where your kids got their extraordinarily obstinate streak from, Gwenick? Couldn't imagine...

I have NO idea what you're talking about