Every night 1 year old drinks 1.5 litres of water. Normal?

[MsMorris]

Hi,

I introduced water to wean off my daughter from breastfeeding, hoping she would sleep through the night. It's made things worse. She's constantly waking up for water. She soaks through about 4 nappies every night. Feels like I have a newborn again.

She is well fed solids and has a nutritious, balanced diet.

Is it normal that she goes through this much water every night without fail? I don't know what to do.

Sounds a lot to me. How much is she drinking during the day?

I’d prob take her to the Gp, that doesn’t sound normal and if she’s consuming that much perhaps she has something wrong eg diabetes

What happens if you offer less water? She just crys for more?

Also like to mention she's in the 9th percentile. She has an incredible appetite but doesn't seem to put on any weight. I am concerned.

I also think the water is because I've put it in a bottle for her, maybe? The sucking must be a comfort thing, I hope?

@magicstars during the day she has a few sips after every meal. Nothing compared to nights.

@makingmiracles that's what I'm worried about :(

I think maybe that much plain water is not good, it should perhaps be mixed with rehydration sachets?

@immersivereader yes, she'll keep crying.

Hi OP. Please take her to the GP to check for Type 1 Diabetes.
DS is T1 diabetic and the first symptom was extreme thirst and soaking through his nappies. We have no diabetes in the family and had absolutely no idea this was an initial symptom. DS ended up developing a condition called DKA, which resulted in a 999 call one Sunday morning and a 4 day hospital stay - very scary stuff. He was 2 at the time.
We’ve just passed his 1 year anniversary since he was diagnosed and he’s absolutely thriving now.

Not saying that’s what it is but maybe get it checked even if it’s just to rule it out!

Safe to get her checked as you mention also that she's not gaining weight well. I'm not sure- could she have milk overnight instead & a banana/ porridge before bed as Perhaps she's hungry.

Oh, God, now I'm really worried. I don't know if I'll get an appointment any time soon. And to get her tested for diabetes would require blood test?

Has she ever had formula /cows milk?

I know with my two we were fed up with the night-time wakings and started offering water overnight in a bottle - they would take a few sips then that'd be it. Not worth waking up for.

It's either hunger or needs checking out as pp's said with a doc.

I think the diabetes test is a finger prick??

@immersivereader She does have cow's milk during the day.

I feed her plenty. She has an insatiable appetite, but when you look at her, you'd think she's not being fed enough. Some nights she will only wake up once or twice for water and barely anything.

But I make sure that she's properly eaten before bed.

@MsMorris
Try not to worry too much OP (easier said than done I know).
Ring GP first thing and explain cause for concern re T1 diabetes (extreme thirst, soaking through nappies, lack of weight gain). I would imagine that they will want to see her and do a finger prick check for blood sugars and possibly ketones too - easy to do and each takes approx 15 seconds.
T1 diabetes isn’t the diagnosis it used to be. You get fantastic support from a specialist team who you can contact at any time. DS does and eats everything any other 3 year old does. Happy to answer any questions you have 🙂

My first thought was diabetes too. Which can be urgent, you need to get her tested. You may be able to order something to test at home but still need to get to a doctor/hospital for follow up ASAP.

@FrogsHiccups Will ring GP tomorrow first thing and hope I get somewhere with that sooner than later. Will update the thread with any answers I get. Thank you

@timeisnotaline We do have diabetics in the family, so I might be able to borrow a glucose monitor and check her myself if I don't get an appointment soon. Will contact gp tomorrow morning.

If you give water, she will just drink and drink...its the suckle she's after. I very much doubt there is anything wrong with her in terms if diabetes etc, I've seen other babies drink water by the gallon simply as its on offer! Pls don't give water to "wean off breastfeeding".

Wouldn’t a dummy be better at night?

@Valhalla17

If you give water, she will just drink and drink...its the suckle she's after. I very much doubt there is anything wrong with her in terms if diabetes etc, I've seen other babies drink water by the gallon simply as its on offer! Pls don't give water to "wean off breastfeeding".

Type 1 is genetic and the op says it’s in the family, thirst is one of the big symptoms so she has to test.

If you suspect type one diabetes I'd be taking your dc to the hospital.

What quantity of fluid is she drinking during the day? Assuming a few sips every meal is not the total amount?

OP excess thirst, extreme hunger, urination and weight loss are all signs of T1 diabetes and these only appear when blood sugar is already very high - by the time these start, the pancreas has been progressively packing up for several months. Would suggest that if you can't get in to see your GP then you do go to ED as things can go downhill fast.

My DD was diagnosed 3 yrs ago; we got in before things were really bad but were still sent immediately to the hospital & admitted at top speed.

Hoping it's not T1 for you but just in case!

That does sound excessive but also strange that she isn't like this during the day, only at night. That would suggest to me that it's a comfort thing.
Still best to check in with GP though, especially as she eats a lot.