My 11 month old won't drink water...any suggestions?

Hi all,

My son is mostly breastfed and at times he does have formula or breastmilk from the bottle.
I have tried to give him water when he started eating solids. (6 month old) He just spits it out or pushes the sippy cup away. I have pretty much everything, giving it to him in a bottle, different sippy cups, straw cups, straight from a small cup, spoon...also tried different temperatures of the water, no luck so far! This is making him constipated most of the time.

I just manage to get a couple of drops in during meal times. The max he has had is about an ounce. The Pediatrician says that it's alright as long as he is having enough breastmilk and if he is really really thirsty, he will drink. I am concerned that he still doesn't get his minimum intake of water.

Any suggestions are welcome.

Thank you.

Since he is on breast milk, it has everything including water in it in a more balanced way for the baby. If he is not constipated then he should be fine without additional water. You could try adding a small spoonful of lemon juice in it just for the taste sake. Try adding a piece of dates, raisins, pinch of sugar or something just to enhance the taste.
Again consult your pediatrician and if he still says there is no need for all this then go with him/her. They know best!


Adara

Hello,

Till your son is on breast milk you need not worry. I used to boil water with mashed raisins ( kismis ) as suggested by someone and my daughter used to like it.

Regards
Rani

Thanks Adara and Rani,
I will try to flavour the water with raisins and see if he takes it.

Srimj

How are his bowel movements? If he is not constipated and if they are not hard etc you do not need to worry - he is getting enough fluids. You can add water in a lot of ways and it doesn't have to be drunk - you can mix cereal/oatmeal with water instead of mixing with milk... Keep offering the sippy cup. Some babies take some time to get used to the taste of water.

As long as he is on BF and liquid intake is there, then no issues. But if he takes less water intake, it may affect his digestive system and may cause constipation.