Worried about my daughter. Please help.?

Question

My 16 month old daughter was ill 2 days ago with gastroenteritis. It has passed now and she is better. She is eating infant cereal, but won't eat anything else. This doesn't concern me too much.

However, she is refusing to take fluids of any kind. She refuses water, refuses pedialyte, refuses juice and even refuses her milk. I'm worried that if she doesn't start drinking something, she's going to become dehydrated.

When we offer her any of this, she either pushes it away and throws a temper tantrum, or takes it, chews the nipple, and tosses away the sippy cup.

It's very hot out here, even at 7:00am, which makes me worry of dehydration also. She has only taken 6oz of fluids since Sunday evening.

How can we encourage her to start drinking some fluids without pushing it?

Answer 1

At this young age, I would take her to the doctor, I can't see her not drinking unless there was something wrong.  I agree with anothe person who said maybe it hurts her to suck due to an ear infection or sore throat but it doesn't hurt that much to eat.

Answer 2

try popciscles  let her eat as many as she wants sugar free would be better there is even pedialyte  popciscles If she dosent start drinking you should take her to the ER so they can give her fluids you dont want her to become dehydrated then she would really be sick

Answer 3

I agree with what other people have posted, and I have one more suggestion - freeze her juice into an ice cube tray, then put the cubes in a ziploc baggie and crush them into tiny pieces. Then put it in a bowl, pour a tiny bit of unfrozen juice on it, and serve it with a spoon. My parents did that when I was little and I thought it was so cool because it was like a sno-cone. It also has less sugar than giving her ice cream or popsicles. Good luck!

Answer 4

Try Popsicles made from some kind of juice she normally likes. Give her chunks of watermelon and other juicy fruits. Try Italian ices. Don't worry about nutritional value-if she'll drink soda give it to her. If she isn't producing urine call the doctor.

Answer 5

She may be getting more fluids than you think.  Make sure she is still having a few wet diapers in a day, and that they are light yellow, not dark.

Make sure her infant cereal is as liquidy as she will accept.  As others have suggested, popsicles may work.  GIving her a grownup cup, with a straw, might also change her perspective.  It might even be worth it to go to the store and let her pick something out - a new cup or a new kind of drink.

If she is listless, her skin feels dry and papery, or no wet diapers for several hours, take her to the doctor.

I've included an article below on dehydration.

Answer 6

That's very hard.. have you tried giving her something to drink with a spoon??

try tricking her with a spoon instead of a cup

if she doesnt drink tell your doc

~MeL~

Answer 7

First of all, If she is in diapers, as long as she has 2 wet diapers a day then she is not dehydratred.  If she isnt in diapers, as long as she goes # 1 2 times a day she isnt dehydrated.

Now, since she wont take the drinks offered, offer other things.. maybe water or soda or maybe chocolate milk instead of regular... then of course you can try pop sickles.. or ice chips...  Make it seems fun to here to drink...

Good Luck.

Answer 8

Check her mouth for white patches, perhaps she has an infection that is making her mouth sore, which makes it hurt to suck.  Also, a sore throat or pain in the ears will make it hurt to suck.

Answer 9

Try and encourage her to eat plenty of fresh fruit.  Let her have an ice lolly or ice cream.   Good luck

Answer 10

If she likes fruit try watermelon, cantelope, oranges, or any watery fruit.  The also make pedialyte popcicles which would help her alot.  Even ice if she like that or regular ice pops.  If she doesn't start drinking by I would say noon today I would take her to the doctor.  This is very dangerous for a child this young in hot weather, but I'm sure by the concern of your question you already know this.  Best wishes.

Answer 11

How much is she urinating?

If she slows or stops peeing-take her to the doctors. Many serious illnesses resemble simple colds or stomach flues only to turn nasty later.