2 1/2 year old won't drink water anymore

Elizabeth043086 · June 2014

He has always drank water pretty good and he gets 4 oz of juice at lunch and some milk with dinner and that's it. I have to actually have to put a cup to his mouth to get him to drink and he only takes a sip. Yesterday he only peed so very little it started to worry me. How do I get him to drink? I have even tried letting him drink form my water cup (you know how everything is better when it's what mommy has) nope he just would blow bubbles in it with my straw.

Thanks

shannm · June 2014

I would keep a fun water bottle with you at all times. Car rides are times when my LO will drink a lot of water. I would eliminate the juice, maybe slowly try watering it down? Is he still eating snacks? He should be offered a drink at those times too.

Cherryblossoms07 · June 2014

Do you drink a lot of water in front of them? My kids will ask for water when they see me drinking it, especially when we go to the gym. They love being able to drink from my water bottle. I bought them their own water bottles so they wouldn't steal all my water, which didn't help my problem because they still drink my water first, but they love having their own bottles for the park and playing outside. Having the bottles like mine really upped their water intake.

If those don't work try adding a splash of fruit juice to his/her water or make fruit infused water. I had to do this for DD because she used to refuse to drink plain water when she was younger. I just kept cutting back the amount of juice in the cup until she drank plain water.

Also, I have heard that some kids are really picky about the temperature of their water. So you may want to play with that if you haven't already.

janinekrause · June 2014

The only time my 2 1/2 will drink water is out of an open cup, or a regular water bottle. It is fun for her- sometimes she spills, but she finds it exciting. Otherwise, all she wants is watered down juice or milk.

janinekrause · June 2014

Elizabeth043086 said:

He has always drank water pretty good and he gets 4 oz of juice at lunch and some milk with dinner and that's it. I have to actually have to put a cup to his mouth to get him to drink and he only takes a sip. Yesterday he only peed so very little it started to worry me. How do I get him to drink? I have even tried letting him drink form my water cup (you know how everything is better when it's what mommy has) nope he just would blow bubbles in it with my straw.
Thanks

Just quick clarification- he only drinks like 8 ounces of liquids all day?? if so, i would honestly give him whatever he wants- water downed juice, more milk, chocolate milk even. that is not enough fluids IMO.

Elizabeth043086 · June 2014

His Dad and me both drink water in front of him, even when we offer him some of our water, he doesn't seem much interested. If he has a straw he just blows bubbles. Today, I've managed to get him to drink plain water out of a cup and 1 part apple juice 3 parts water out of new sippy with dump trucks. I will lessen up on the juice as we go and hopefully I can get him back to 100% water.

Jessica+Penny · June 2014

I would try to offer water-rich fruits like watermelon, grapes, berries, melons etc. You could make fruit smoothies and add a cup of ice to the blender. How about homemade popsicles with watered down fruit juice?

Maybe it has something to do with the taste of your tap water. Have you tried buying different types of bottled water (distilled, spring, whatever)?

You could buy a "special" small water pitcher just for him and let him pour himself cups of water.

Pretend to have a tea party and pour real water into small tea cups and have him drink it. My daughter is 26 months and loves to do this.

Elizabeth043086 · June 2014

Well he does like melon, grapes and berries and eats quite a bit of them. We do smoothies for breakfast once a week or so. He gets a homemade popsiscle in the evenings sometimes.

You may be on to something with the tap water thing. We used to drink bottled water and several months back we switched to using a brita water filter because I was worrying about flouride. Although it tastes better than straight tap water, it still has a little taste that bottled water doesn't. Hmmm, good thinking!! I have some bottles out in my van, out to get them right now to see if they will make a difference.

Good idea on the tea party thing. My parents have toy dishes he like to play with at their house and he loves to pretend to drink from them.

I got him new water bottles yesterday and he seems to be interested in them for now.

Thanks girls!

Tink112011 · June 2014

I drink a lot of sparkling water, and DS likes that. I think because its out of a can and seems special.

DS also drinks more when there is ice in his water.

ThatWasAHoot · June 2014

If you give him 4 oz of juice, why not just use that 4 oz throughout the day? Instead of straight up juice, water it down throughout the day, still limiting it to 4 oz.

mcschutte · June 2014

A couple tricks you could try: buy a fun cup or straw for him to use, make fun ice cubes (different shapes, colors) with fruit juice, try very small cups so he can 'finish' the whole cup in one drink and keep refilling, do a reward chart when he finishes ___ cups/drinks of water he gets a 'reward' - maybe a popsicle or something. If you are worried about hydration you could make some popsicles that are majority water with some fruit juice for flavor. Good luck!

rodiesmum · June 2014

Suggestions: 1. Fun water bottle 2. Show him you enjoy drinking a lot of water 3. Ask him yo drink every chance u get.
I also try to make DD drink cranberry juice to help avoid UTI if that's ehat ur worried abt

Ceridwen21 · June 2014

DS gets very excited when we put ice in his cup. I think that feels very grown up to him. I also agree with the suggestion of cutting out the juice, or slowly reducing it.

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