17 month old just doesn’t drink much! Help!

[Catlady12335678]

Hey,

My 17 month old really isn’t interested in drinking water or milk. He’s still breastfed (but only morning and night as he’s in nursery).
I have tried all the different bottles, cups, straws etc and nothing works. When he does drink it’s only a couple of sips at a time. It’s constantly stressing me out as I have to try and give him more liquid foods (he can also be very fussy about texture).

The only time he’ll have say 30-60 ml at a time is warm milk before bed.

does anyone have any tips? I’ve googled it and now things like autism come up and I just wondered if anyone else has dealt with this and their child not been autistic etc? He’s developing fine, babbling loads, walking, pointing, smiling and very bright.

thanks in advance xx

No idea about autism, but both mine went through stages of f this and just persevering with different cups and offering constantly is all that worked. I always offered them sips from my glass and gave them open cups at meals. You can also teach them to "cheers!" and clink their water glass with yours! (My 19 month very much enjoys this). Are their nappies wet enough and they're not constipated?

I wouldn't stress too much. Don't make it a thing. The body is amazing at getting what it needs. There's water in lots of food. And if youre adding liquid to foods he wont NEED to drink.

That said, home made ice lollies and jelly (which is ALL water) are good back ups for when you think he really needs to drink but isnt.

Always put a cup of water down with his food and always have one available for the rest of the time. Then leave him to it unless hes obviously dehydrated (no wet nappies is an excellent sign).

Thank you, he has wet nappies but they’re rarely heavy, very light most of the time. He’s not constipated as has quite sticky poops!

I just feel like I’ve tried everything but nothing works 😢 feeling very deflated about it! I often end up using a syringe to get a little bit into him x

Ooo. I'd stop doing that! Honestly. Its making it a THING. See the gp/hv if youre concerned.

I have tried to speak with GP and HV but not helpful at all sadly! The just say try different cups etc and give soup! 😔

I guess I just wanted to know if it can be normal and he might grow out of it etc! X

I only had problems getting my little one to drink whenever he was poorly (hand foot & mouth 3 seperate times), I would try and make a competition and say 'let's see who can finish our drinks first', or 'I'm going to get dressed I bet you can't finish your water before I get back' also when he napped I would dream feed him to get some liquids in him

My DD would only drink out of my glass for some reason, she wouldn’t take water from any other vessel and she was breastfeed like your DS. She grew out of it when she was about 2.5, I just always made sure I had a pint of water next to me

Mine is similar, ive not worried about it. As long as wet nappies and not constipated! He’s getting a decent amount of liquid with the breastfeeds and food contains liquid particularly fruit. Don’t stress or force it, it’ll make it worse. Mine will drink the most from an open cup but does make a mess