DD - 8 mos old - won't drink

[laa]

she was in hospital for two days last wk - she had tonsillitis, gastro-enteritis and another virus affecting her upper resp. tract and was v. dehydrated. She's now eating and is brighter but still running a temp of 38.5 - 39 for part of each day. I'm giving calpol and nurofen by adding it to spoons of food. I know that if she's eating she's getting fluids and we estimate she's getting about 300mls or so per day from food. Aside from one 9 min breastfeed in the morning she absolutely refuses to drink from anything - cups, spoons, cups with lids, syringes, teats and boobs - although she'll toy with a breastfeed for maybe a min or two but doesn't really take anything in. I guess her throat is sore from the NG tube if nothing else. Has anyone else ever had this problem? Any ideas?

Jelly? That's what my GP suggested when ds wouldn't drink. Best make your own with fruit juice, rather than buy the ready-made chemical gubbins.

Poor little thing, she's had a rough time - and you too!

Keep offering breastfeeds since she has been ill. If she is thirsty, she will take the breast. Offer it before food maybe? And definately jelly because it is made mainly from water. Out of it all I would say breastmilk is most important - even more than food.