It's been really hot this past week and I've been trying to get my 10 1/2 month old son to drink more water and he hates it. He won't drink it unless he is super super thirsty. The other forms of liquid he is getting is his formula (about 10 to 14 oz. a day) , yogurt (8 to 12 oz. a day) and whatever water there is in the baby food that I feed him three times a day. I am just worry that he might get dehydrated because it's been over 100 degrees the last couple of days and he is a very active boy.
My ped never mentioned feeding my son water and I always forget to ask during his well visits. His next visit won't be until September so I wanted to ask other moms out there how much water should/can I give my 10 1/2 month old son. I am a first time mom so still trying to figure alot of things out.
I remember when mine were little, I was told one ounce per month. So a little more than a cup of water a day. 10.5 ounces.
Hello, Your son is probably getting his needed water through his formula and other nurishment. Our grandaughter will not drink water at all. As long as he is urinating regularly, he will be fine. However, you can offer him juice and popscicles to supplement. It is normal to worry about our children.
Good luck with your precious little boy.
K. K.
A child under one year that is breast- or formula-fed doesn't generally need any additional water in their diet. In extreme cases, it can actually cause problems if given too much. I started cup training with my daughter around 5-6 months and used water for that, but she was taking in just a few ounces a day with a meal. If you're going to add water to his diet, offer it with a meal. Keep milk/formula for in between to avoid challenging his appetite.
If he is wetting several diapers a day...and there hasn't been significant change in the odor or color...dehydration shouldn't be a concern. Call your pediatrician if he starts to experience constipation which can be an early sign of not enough fluids.
I firmly believe in introducing water to children and making it the main source of hydration as they get older, but you have some time to work it in. By the time my daughter was two, I had a firm rule that between each cup of milk or juice (limited and diluted) there was an equal amount of water.
My sons weren't interested in water if I gave it directly to them in their own cup. However, I always had my ice water with a splash of lemon in it around and they would GUZZLE that. Maybe that could work for you?? They'll usually eat or drink anything if they can mooch it from mom instead of having their own plate or cup! lol!
I have 2 boys ages 6 (just turned 6) and 8 (will be 9 in Sept) and I started to give them water in a smaller bottle than I would give them formula. At first they don't like it because they (my boys and other children I've had discussions with mothers and my Ped) are use to formula and notice it's different. At first they would chew on the bottle's nipple...like okay..this isn't formula??? What gives??? But I just would offer it up at times when they were fussy and really were not hungry but just needed cuddling and closeness. You do not have to give them a ton just keep offering it to them. Also they love love love ice because at your son's age those teeth start to pop in and their gums are sore. Just hold onto the ice and let them suck on it a few times. Wet a washcloth and put it in the freezer a few minutes then let him chew on that. You can also (and I did this as well) give them water in a medicine dropper. If they get sick and won't eat, or like you were saying..it's been so HOT and you're afraid he may get dehydrated, (it's called "forcing fluids) just get a few ounces in him through the medicine dropper. You may also want to try a luke warm water instead of cold, because it may be the temperature your baby does not like more than the water itself. At night after his formula you can put a few ounces of water and camomile tea together and give this to him...more water than tea and it will help soothe him and introduce him to water. I always (and mine are older of course) bring a water bottle with me in the car to offer for thirst. You want them to understand that water is the best thirst quencer out there, not a soda or kool-aid, or something with tons of sugar and caffeine.
I agree that if he is having wet diapers, he is fine. At that age, we always had a sippy cup of water available but the kids main nutrition/hydration came from either breastmilk or formula. So they would take sips here and there but not a huge amount at 10 1/2 months.
When my daughter started eating solids at 9 months, I always had a cup of water out and available to her. I didn't measure it, just allowed her to drink as her body needed.
I know if you call the Ped. office and leave a msg for your Dr to call you or leave a voice mail msg he/she will call back. I would feel safer if I spoke to my Dr to ask this ? now rather than do the wrong thing or wait. Good Luck Mom
As long as you are offering him water, he'll drink what he needs to stay hydrated - and your right to assume that he is getting fluids through his foods. My 1 yr. old gets his fluids mostly from breastfeeding and barely drinks any water at all from the sippy cups that I give him. I have found, however, that he enjoys drinking from a cup, and will consume more if I give it to him this way.
water down his formula, or get fun sippy cups, that seems to help. Unless he has dry lips, he should be ok...
Good luck!
R.
As long as he's getting water from other sources he's probably fine but keep trying to get him to drink water anyway. My son hated water at first but then loved it once he got used to it. He liked to drink directly out of the plastic bottles. He's almost 8 years old now and aside from a glass of chocolate Milk in the morning 90% of the time he drinks ice water even if he is offered juice or soda. It's good to get your son in the habit of drinking water when he's a baby so he will be more inclined to drink water instead of juice and soda when he's older. Good luck!
I've always heard they don't need water until after the first year. As long as he is drinking enough formula/breastmilk, he should be fine. Watch his tears and make sure he is wetting his diaper on a normal basis. If you see any changes in either of these (such as dry eyes, or no tears), call your pediatrician. Go on instinct. If he seems happy and he wets his diaper regularly and tears flow from his eyes, he's fine. Just dress him loosely and try to keep him out of the sun.
This answer is, of course, my own opinion. Please just consider the factual information from the experts at the website.
At 10 1/2 months he should still be drinking 24 - 30 oz.s of formula, it should still be his basic form of nutrition. It is well balaneced and provides him with all the nutrients he needs. Food and other items, like 100% fruit juice, water, should be for teaching him to chew and swallow, not for filling him up.
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