DD is taking her sweet time about drinking over the days hours and not getting enough water.

She has grown up drinking only water and 100% juice (but only one full glass a day). Shes not allowed soda, punch drinks or tea, unless it is something special like a party or dinner out.

She prefers water over fruit juice and turns her nose up at flavoring water w/ a juice. "This water taste dirty" LOL.

I now give her the water in a those individual water bottles so she can see how much she drinks. I reason with her on why it is important to drink, and she will drink for those reasons.

I am hoping to find suggestions on other things she can drink that would make good alternatives and add some flavor for her.

Basically, the drs and nutritionist all say "water and 100% juice" and offer nothing else.

Oh, and DD can't drink milk. She's allowed, she just cant and doesn't like chocolate milk.

Thanks for any suggestions.

By Jann on Friday, January 24, 2003 - 03:49 pm:

How much water is she drinking per day?

By Mechelle on Friday, January 24, 2003 - 04:02 pm:

Silly Straw maybe?
Might make her drink more, to watch the water go around the straw and into her mouth.

By Sandie on Friday, January 24, 2003 - 04:11 pm:

How about coloring the water with food coloring, or something along those lines. Combine that with a crazy straw. My sister got into drinking water this way, and now she just uses a water bottle and no coloring.

By Dana on Friday, January 24, 2003 - 04:12 pm:

not much at all, unless I bribe her. If I don't say anything at all, she could go all day with maybe only 6oz.

Yesterday she drink a full 12 oz water ONLY AFTER not touching it all day. She didn't drink it until 4PM (she was at Moms Day Out, so I wasn't there). And add a few more oz before bed and with dinner.

Today, I have bribed her into drinking her 12 oz again and just finished a few more ounces w/ a bribe of red hot candy.

She has severe constipation, and her lack of water is only making it far worse. Her bowels are as dry as can be. She is on meds for constipation and this is the first time her poops have been so dry. Usually there is blockage with her problems, but once it comes out, it is moist. But not this time.

Poor babe.

By Colette on Friday, January 24, 2003 - 04:14 pm:

Is she sick or something? Just wondering what the concern is here. I only give my kids, milk, juice or water. Aside from junk (like soda) I dont think there is anything else? If you are worried about dehydration then I believe water is best.

By Sunny on Friday, January 24, 2003 - 04:18 pm:

How about freezing some water and making ice cubes? Or freezing juice into popsicles? My kids like putting ice in their drinks then eating the ice cubes. They also sell mini water coolers. Do you think she would drink more if she had a little dispenser?

Wish I had more suggestions.

By Colette on Friday, January 24, 2003 - 04:21 pm:

sorry dana, I must have typed my response when you were typing yours. I didn't remember about the constipation.

By Luv2fly on Friday, January 24, 2003 - 04:34 pm:

How about lemonade? Pink lemonade? I like Crystal Lite mixes, they have many flavors (lemonade, strawberry-kiwi, passion fruit). It is along the lines of Koolaid but not as much sugar, you add a little of the mix to a pitcher of water. It does have some sort of artifical sweetner, maybe aspartame(sp?). I wouldn't let her drink only these but in addition to some water.

By Feona on Friday, January 24, 2003 - 04:35 pm:

I don't know if she would like Soy Milk.

How about mixing juice and water together so she gets more water?

By Sunny on Friday, January 24, 2003 - 04:37 pm:

What about fresh fruit? Will she eat watermelon or other fruits high in water content? I was thinking that it might help her increase her fluid intake and help with constipation.

By Dana on Friday, January 24, 2003 - 05:51 pm:

I'll try the food color. Wish me luck!

By Tunnia on Friday, January 24, 2003 - 06:00 pm:

Maybe try Gatorade?

By Karen55 on Friday, January 24, 2003 - 06:47 pm:

You have to be careful about Gatorade and 10K, too much is as harmful as too little, however, in her case, I doubt that would become an issue. What about flavored waters? True, some have sugar in them, but at this point, you've got to get her into the habit of drinking fluids, period. Dehydration is serious, it will affect her overall health. What about putting a slice of lemon or lime in the water?

By Dana on Friday, January 24, 2003 - 07:16 pm:

I did "MAGIC" and made it red She liked it red, but still only finished drinking it for another red hot LOL.

I wish I knew how much is too much water for a 4 year old. I know there is a problem w/ TOO MUCH. I know we're in the safe zone, but still I would like to know the recommended requirement (I did a search and couldn't find the amount for a child)

By Mechelle on Friday, January 24, 2003 - 08:48 pm:

Dana,
Looking in my food program book for day care all I could find was serving size requirements. This might help, might not.
I really don't think a child can have too much water. This is just the required amount we have to give our kiddos, if she drinks this much or more within a days time, she's doing good I think.
1/2 cup breakfast

1/2 cup snack

3/4 cup lunch/dinner

By Dana on Friday, January 24, 2003 - 08:56 pm:

Doesn't sound like very much. That is 14oz a day. So I guess w/ this 12oz water bottle we are doing good to finish one and just have a little more of however much she can handle.

By Missymelissy on Friday, January 24, 2003 - 09:13 pm:

Dana, what about trying Pedialyte - I know it's for dyhydration but it might help. I really don't know what else to offer. Good luck.

By Missymelissy on Friday, January 24, 2003 - 09:13 pm:

Soory, should be dehydration.

By Missymelissy on Friday, January 24, 2003 - 09:14 pm:

Ok, I give up on correcting my mistakes and my corrections - long day, time for bed. Sorry.

By Marcia on Friday, January 24, 2003 - 11:11 pm:

One of my kids is tube fed, so only has liquids. When she started with the tube, she weighed 40 lbs. Her daily intake has to be 1500 cc. That's equal to 6 cups. There are many ways to get free fluids in that don't include drinking. Most foods have a free fluid equivilent. Give her pudding, apples sauce, fruit, veggies, soup, etc, and they all count as fluids. I'll find my chart and post what it says.

By Marcia on Friday, January 24, 2003 - 11:43 pm:

OK, here goes...
1 cup hot cereal = 200ml
1/2 cup pureed fruit = 110
1/2 cup drained canned fruit = 100ml
1/2 cup cooked, drained veggies = 65ml
1 cup broth based soup with veg or noodles = 225ml
1/2 cup ice cream = 40
1/2 cup pudding = 115ml
1/2 cup custard = 140ml
1/2 cup gelatin = 120ml
1 cup yogurt = 190ml
1 cup shake = 105ml
twin frozen juice bar = 60ml
1 cup milk = 220ml
1/2 cup fruit juice = 105ml
1 cup fruit flavoured drink = 220

250ml = 1 cup
When you look at the free fluids in each food, you can see how easy it is to get the proper amount in.
I hope this helps.

By Dana on Saturday, January 25, 2003 - 10:27 am:

Marcia, this is wonderful! I am printing and keeping this for reference. THANKS SO MUCH!

By Ginnyk on Saturday, January 25, 2003 - 08:32 pm:

I agree with freezing colored water or sugar-free Koolaid into popsicles. How about Jello, which is mostly water? as a post-lunch and post-dinner snack. When I made Jello for my kids I used a bit less sugar than it called for. Do they have "diet", sugar free Jello mixes now?

By Mechelle on Saturday, January 25, 2003 - 09:32 pm:

Water with lemon?