Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
General health

Mumsnet doesn't verify the qualifications of users. If you have medical concerns, please consult a healthcare professional.

Original poster

TODDLER DRINKS 6 PINTS OF WATER A DAY.........?

106 replies

7up · 25/02/2006 11:10

ok, ive posted before about my ds food intolerances but his water consumption ive got used too until the health visitor mentioned it at his check up. he's been tested for sugar related diabetes at 1 year old and was negative. hes now 16months old and drinks roughly 9oz water every hour throughout the day (this has been going on for months), he goes through roughly 8 sopping wet nappies a day and clothes.

he carries on drinking throughout the night, although not as much and i have to change wet nappies at least 3 times in the night.

is this normal?has anyone else got a massive water drinker

OP posts:
Miaou · 04/03/2006 09:08

nulnulcat and 7up, have found \link{http://familydoctor.org/048.xml\this} about diabetes insipidus - a clear and concise explanation. HTH. Been following this but no advice - please keep us up to date with progress Smile

Original poster
7up · 04/03/2006 11:08

thanks miauo, very good link.

OP posts:
Original poster
7up · 06/03/2006 12:56

any news nulnulcat?

OP posts:
Nightynight · 06/03/2006 13:11

7up, did you know that excessive thirst can be a symptom for children who are intolerant to food dyes?

Original poster
7up · 06/03/2006 13:19

no i didnt know that nightynite, he lives on chicken,ham, special bread, potatoes, veg and banana flavour baby jars, that prob rules that out then doesnt it? interesting tho, ive never heard that mentioned on here before. got him weighed today and not gained any weight again still stuck at 21lb!need to get fattening food in him, bless! gota go back to work now. praps put your message on the allergy site as thats very interesting and might help a lot of mummies on here.x

OP posts:
Original poster
7up · 06/03/2006 15:44

bmp for nulnulcat

OP posts:
Original poster
7up · 06/03/2006 16:56

bumpfor nulnulcat

OP posts:
nulnulcat · 06/03/2006 17:21

hi 7up thanks for thinking of us havent heard anything yet but not home from work yet

Original poster
7up · 06/03/2006 17:31

ok nulnulcat, hope you get the results you want, il wait for a message rather than keep hassling you!Smile

OP posts:
Nightynight · 06/03/2006 18:35

7up maybe it doesnt fit the circs here then. My brother had this symptom, he used to drink pints of orange squash which was full of, you guessed it, tartrazine!
But I think even his thirst habit wasnt as excessive as what you have described, especially at that age.

bobbybobbobbingalong · 06/03/2006 19:05

What sort of ham is he having - a lot do have soya, MSG and colouring in - you've probably already thought of that - but just thought I would mention.

Original poster
7up · 06/03/2006 20:28

hi nightynite, its water he drinks . thats why i cant understand how it can be habit, its not exactly tasty.

bobbin, the ham is tesco wafter thin, pork, water, honey, salt, dextrose, stabiliser, antioxidant and preservative are the ingredients.i avoid the one with milk in.

if its a habit i wish he'd pack it up, coz where he gets wet so much it wakes him up every hour or two at night then he wants a drink as well, vicious circle!

OP posts:
Nightynight · 07/03/2006 13:05

I think it could be habit because he is so young. But I'd also be worried about a possible medical cause (as you are).

Original poster
7up · 07/03/2006 16:32

just spoke to health visitor whos told me to cut right back on the water.........tantrums here we come!

OP posts:
LillyPink · 07/03/2006 16:47

Hope you get to the bottom of this soon 7Up, just to put your mind at rest. Hope you don't have to deal with too many tantrums.

bobbybobbobbingalong · 07/03/2006 18:00

Which preservative ? - some of them can cause tantrums and thirstiness!

Could he have normal roast meats thinly sliced - you may have to buy a slicer. Lamb is very unlikely to cause an allergic reaction.

Original poster
7up · 07/03/2006 19:17

thanks lilly, hi bobbin, ive told docs that thirst and tantrums, food intolerances etc go together but they still saying its habit .i must reread this thread and see which mum had a ds who did have a 3litre a day drinking habit and grew out of it by 3.5years. praps she can advise me! h.v today said to keep a list still for paed in april

OP posts:
blossomgirl · 07/03/2006 19:45

Hi 7up iv'e only scanned here, but wondered if rice milk was an option. Good Luck, i really feel for you.

williamsmummy · 07/03/2006 20:44

I must add that i too , think this is a comfort habit, and something needs to be substituted for the large amount of water he drinks.
Does he have a dummy?
Sucking , as we all know is of great importance for a young child.
This could be the key to his slow weight gain.
Having a tummy full of water before eating a meal stops a child from eating.
Twenty mins after he has eaten , I bet he is begging for more food!

There is nothing wrong with constant snacking for a child of this age, but add the large amount of fluid and perhaps thats why he is hungry.
Keep a diary of the amount of food ,as well as the water.

As he is intolerant it can take some months before tummy lining can digest new foods. As its all tender and damged for quite some time after.

Apart from waking for a drink, does he sleep soundly?
Lots of food intolerant children find sleeping disturbed through tummy pain. As gut stretched when laying flat.
Sometimes raising feet can help.

hope this give food for thought!! LOL

Original poster
7up · 07/03/2006 21:04

hi williamsmummy, ds does have a dummy and does eat 3 large meals a day but they dont have any fat in at all which means he doesnt gain weightSadreally need to push to see a dietician.

he does get belly ache still although not half as bad since eliminating so much food from his diet! good idea about elevating the legs, could try that. he is a fidget in the night tho. he'l be sleeping sort of comatose and dummy hanging out and then wake screaming/tantrum, the dummy gets catapulted across the room by a powerful spit or throwing and his mouth gapes open going "uh uh" for the bot of water! sounds funnySmile

blossomgirl, my mum got some rice milk today and he TRIED a bit. it tastes just like water! im gona mix it with some dairy, gluten , soya free rice flakes mum got from health food shop, she thought it might fill him up a bit more...hopefully. thanksSmile

OP posts:
bambi06 · 07/03/2006 21:23

have you tried putting incontinence pads inside the nappy to soak up excess pee in the night ..that way you dont have to change him so often ..i used them when my son was youmger and they worked a treat ..

Original poster
7up · 07/03/2006 21:25

ive been looking for incontinent pads, the ones you use for 'proper' nappies are well expensive

OP posts:
bambi06 · 08/03/2006 22:05

i think i bought mine from tesco! or they have them in independant pharmacies and places like that ..but i found that there were products for night time that were for older children..ie nappies but bigger and more absorbent..i`ll see if i can remember and let you know

bambi06 · 08/03/2006 22:06

what about maternity pads but the big hmm lovely ones Winkthat hospitals dish out but you can also buy?

Original poster
7up · 08/03/2006 22:10

hiya bambi, ive put 2 BIG sanitary towels in his nappy and some of those plastic knickers over all that! and a plastic sheet on the bed. sounds a bit rustly but if it keep him dry yipppeeee!fingers crossed eh

OP posts: