My 15 month old baby won't drink enough

[MummaBear2019]

I've been having this issue since he was introduced to water around 7 or 8 months, he just isn't interested in drinking it. I didn't feel that worried when he was younger because he would drink enough formula, but now he's just on cows milk, water/juice, I know he isn't drinking enough! A typical day would consist of 8oz of milk in the morning, 2-5oz of juice/water throughout the day (5oz being a really good day) then 3-4oz of milk before bed. I've spoken to the HV and doctor, HV said just to keep trying, doctor said to try him on sugar free coke, lemonade and tea (mm no thanks). Ive tries various bottles, he seems to drink more out of a free flowing cup. I'm just so worried he's going to dehydrate especially in this hot weather.

Anyone else had this problem or has any advice?

Sounds like he’s drinking about the same amount as my DS who is the same age - I haven’t been worried though, he’s lively and happy so can’t imagine he’s dehydrated. He also gets fluid through food e.g. milk in cereal, pasta with tinned tomato sauces, watery fruit etc so maybe that’s something to try? Does he seem dehydrated to you? Lethargic or more grouchy? Otherwise I don’t think I would worry too much.

According to our dietican some children just need less water than others. So keep an eye out for signs of dehydration but if she is happy then try not to worry.

Try lots of food which has a high water content to top it up

A lot more than my daughter drinks, but she has a lot of fruit.

That seems absolutely fine. In fact, it's vastly more than my 17 month old (or my 6 year old, for that matter!) drink in a day. Please don't try him with anything but water or milk. He doesn't need it and you'll affect his teeth even with juice.

My 17 month old has probably 3 ish oz of milk with breakfast, maybe a few sips of water as well, maybe another 3-5 oz of water during the day, then can have anywhere from 1-5 oz of milk at night (usually on the lesser side). That's definitely more water than my 6 year old drank at that age. Unless he's having few wet nappies and very dark urine, he's getting plenty of fluids.

That sounds fine to me tbh. Mines 13months and I don't even really keep track. Just keep offering it and she'll drink when she needs it. I just offer cows milk in the morning and before bed and water throughout the day.

Try not to worry too much. DS1 was the same, never seemed to drink much water. He is 6 now and just the same, but he's healthy and does drink more in hot weather, just seems to start from a lower baseline!

DS2 drinks a more normal amount.

On the plus side, potty training DS1 was a lot easier than DS2, he doesn't wee very often!

As pp have said offer lots of fruit. I also find

Keep an eye on his nappies. If you’re getting wet nappies with no crystals/ very dark urine then he probably is ok.
In hot weather I find lots of water play helps with keeping them hydrated: DD turns her nose up at the drink I offer but then I catch her drinking straight from the hose or lapping out of the paddling pool 🤦‍♀️ Good for the immune system I guess!

Phew.. I feel abit more reassured now. He doesn't seem lethargic or anything, he's a very active, bouncy baby so maybe I just need to relax a little. He does have porridge every morning with cows milk, I didn't consider the fluid content in foods, doh! And I only give him sugar free juice plus he brushes his teeth twice a day so I'm not too worried about his teeth.

Thanks you all for your comments, this mummy can now stop worrying!

You get a lot of your water in food. It's a myth that adults need to drink 2 litres a day it just means spending half your day on the toilet. It sounds like your DC is drinking enough.

doctor said to try him on sugar free coke, lemonade and tea WTF? This is insane.

At that age my DD only would really drink from a toy tea pot in the bath. Try lots of water play.

Maybe try a different cup! My 17mo doesn’t like cups with straws but my first would only drink from a straw cup.

I wouldn’t give tea because it affects their iron absorption and we all know why we wouldn’t give fizzy drinks 😂

"doctor said to try him on sugar free coke, lemonade and tea WTF?"

That is exactly what I wanted to write.
Seriously ... WTF? How can someone like this be a doctor?

That's plenty! Stop worrying. There's a lot of water in food. If he is thirsty he isn't thirsty. This idea that we all need to be hydrated on pints and pints of water has no scientific backing.

DD was/is like this! She has about a thimbleful of liquid a day. I still struggle not to fret about it, but I have got used to it. Interestingly, a handful of occasions when she's been ill she has drink MUCH more - I remember once she had a vomiting bug at about 15 months old, woke up after a night of puking and drank two whole sippy cups full straight down, which was more than she'd normally drink in a day. So I started to trust that she was drinking what she needed to at that point!

*hormonesorDHbeingadick
At that age my DD only would really drink from a toy tea pot in the bath. *

I just couldn't let your post go without commenting - that is sooooo sweet!

Our DC always drink more when I give them a cup and a straw (we use paper straws) maybe try that if you're worried?

Sounds about the same as my 16 month old but he is having plenty of wet nappies and is bouncing apt so I think it is fine.. Plus I reckon he gets more from food like weetabix, yoghurt, fruit pouches etc

Sounds like he's getting a fair bit, just keep offering but providing your getting wet nappies and normal poos from him it's fine.

Think your Dr might need some retraining though!

I literally can't understand why your doctor said that, utter lunacy! (I'm a health care professional).

My DS only really took to water in the last month and he's now 20 months old. As others have said, offer usual amount of milk and then offer foods that have higher water value. Try not to worry :)

Your doctor sounds like a looney.

Ideas to try:

If he's a good weight try offering high water foods as snacks - cucumber, berries, yoghurt, home made lollies made from frozen smoothies, mashed banana with a splash of diluted juice added, fruit and veg still wet from being washed etc

Likewise try to avoid dehydrating foods such as biscuits, bread sticks, dried fruits, salty products etc

Dilute his milk. He doesn't 'need' milk any more so an added ounce of water to every 5 of milk should help to hydrate him while going unnoticed

Don't offer juice as such, but a tiny splash of it in his water instead, so he has flavoured water rather than diluted juice

Is he very physically active? You try running or skipping without stopping for a few minutes and see how thirsty you get! If he's getting all the physical activity he should be getting he'll be glad to drink anything offered!

Get him a funky drinking receptacle of some sort, a bottle with a fun straw maybe, you could even add ice cubes or those fake colourful plastic ones for interest.

If you'r e really worried set him up in the paddling pool or bath with beakers and funnels. I am yet to meet a toddler who doesn't need restraining from drinking this water!!

My daughter won't drink water unless it's still warm from boiling very fussy!

I was just as shocked as you all are about what the doctor said. She apparently gave coffee to her daughter from the age of 5.. I mean, I know it's each to their own how you bring your own children up but think I'll choose to ignore that advice thanks.

I really appreciate all of your responses! 🙂 I'm definitely now more relaxed about it all x

You could also try keeping a jug of water in the fridge with his favourite fruit in it for a bit of flavouring.