Can a toddler drink too much?

[minkymonkeymoo]

Hi

I wasn't really sure whether to post this or even where to post it!

My DS, currently 22 months, has always been good at drinking water. I have always had sippy cups of water around and he helps himself and then I remind him at snack & meal times. He drinks about 4 or 5 sippy cups and a couple of cups of milk a day. He also eats well - I make most of his food myself (he eats what we do!) and watch what he eats so know he doesn't have too high a salt intake

I have always thought that I was lucky to have a child that drinks. Friends have children that don;t and that causes them to worry.

However, 2 different people at nursery have spoken to me about his drinking habits. His key worker and the section manager. Most times I go and collect him (he goes 2 times a week) he always goes to the collected up cups to take a drink and they often have to refill his cup for him.

Do you think there is a problem here? I know he drinks a lot but it is not at the expense of food and he is a happy and (I think!) healthy little boy.

Would you bother to see the hv / doctor about it? I haven't seen the hv for a long time as there was not point - my ds was fine and she isn't very good ....

Many thanks in advance!

I was thinking about the diabetes thing mentioned by PixieOnaLeaf.

I used to worry about my DD not drinking enough - actually, hardly anything, at that age. She now 11 and perfectly healthy and drinks whenever she wants it.

Thanks. I hadn't even thought of that. I think I might wait until I am next there and ask - as you say. He has always drunk a lot. He can go a few hours without drinking.

At my DD1's 2 yr review I asked this question as she drank about 3 pints a day at that age.

I'd thought diabeties, but my HV ruled that one out, just said I should be lucky that she's happy to drink and being positive it should make her easy to potty train. It was, 2 days.

She is now 4 and still drinks loads and she's perfectly healthy.

My DS3 (also 22 months) drinks loads and seems to just love drinking. I'm not sure exactly how much he drinks, as he's still breastfed at least three times a day. But he's always asking for drinks, drinks a cup with each meal, also some cows milk in between and will steal anyone elses drink given half a chance! I think he just enjoys the experience of drinking - I've seen him drink and spit it straight out and still carry on drinking and keep spitting out! My friend told me that he's going to be a boozer! Like your DS he's very happy and healthy - he's just obsessed by the demon drink (and I do mean water, milk and juice, although he does also pinch the wine bottles out of the recycling and pretend to swig from them!) I think he enjoys the independence of holding a cup and drinking himself, unlike being breastfed or meal times where he is still mainly spoonfed by us.

My dd was diagnosed with type one diabetes as a toddler, she went from 1 or 2 tippee cups a day to demanding water constantly, crawling to the kitchen and pointing to the tap.

There is a noticable difference in drinking habits coupled with soaking nappies, weight loss and lethargy for diabetes.

Sounds fine to me :)

Thanks all. His nappies have been a lot larger recently - I mean if it's left about 3 hours it can be completely sodden - but I put that down to the fact that he's getting bigger and therefore drinking more.

Maybe I will mention it when I am next there but thanks for putting my mind at rest. I really don't think it's anything but didn't want to be negligent - especially as people are pointing it out to me.

I will not read anything into that the only word he can say that we really understand is 'more' usually with his cup in hand

I saw my 3yo DD's dietician recently and asked about fluid intake and what would be appropriate for her age. She said that they tend to use a basic rule of thumb of 1 litre fluid for the first 10kg in child's weight and then 50cl for each subsequent kilo. So DD weighed just over 17kg so her recommended daily fluid intake is 1 litre plus 7*50cl or 1.35litres in total.

don't know if that helps at all

Thanks mintyweb. I thought I would try and make a note of exactly how much he is drinking today and he hasn;t even finished 1 beaker yet! Typical ...

I am guessing if it was diabetes (or soemthing) it would be consistent and not on odd days so am worrying less already!

Thanks all for your advice.

Sorry, should say I name changed for another post ... (was minkymonkeymoo - honestly!)