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How To Manage Reluctant Behavior Of A 2 Year Old To Drink Fluids?
Question: Hi,
My son age is 2yrs 3 months..According to his height his weight is good.He weigh around 27 pounds( 11.7 kg)..He is pretty active kid.. I stopped nursing him at the age of 2yrs.
He always prefers to eat solids.I can say he is good foodie..But he never drink water,milk..Rarely drinks juices(but i worry about Shugars)..His bowel movements are very hard. After struggling and trying he will drink 2-3 sips of water daily.
This winter,within 2 months he got 3 times common cold and he was cured with out any medication.
But this week he got conjunctivitis( mild pink eye) for both eyes without any other ill symptoms like cold,fever..Now we are using Antibiotic drops.
When we asked the doctor about his drinking habits,She suggested us give my son urine sample for testing the dehydration and other symptoms.Today morning we got to know the result that my son having Urinary tract infection.They prescribed some antibiotics which we need to collect. Also they send urine to lab for checking bacteria. Still we need to get the results.
My question is what is reason for not drinking liquids?As he is good in eating and breast feeded baby we feel that he does not have any problem with swallowing or anything..Is their any connection between not drinking liquids and urinary tract infection? Please can you suggest me how much minimum water/milk daily intake should be good for toddlers..
Can i give him 100% Juices from stores..But this natural shugary juices are fine for toddlers?
What causes for urinary tract infection.. What care i need to take care in future?
My son age is 2yrs 3 months..According to his height his weight is good.He weigh around 27 pounds( 11.7 kg)..He is pretty active kid.. I stopped nursing him at the age of 2yrs.
He always prefers to eat solids.I can say he is good foodie..But he never drink water,milk..Rarely drinks juices(but i worry about Shugars)..His bowel movements are very hard. After struggling and trying he will drink 2-3 sips of water daily.
This winter,within 2 months he got 3 times common cold and he was cured with out any medication.
But this week he got conjunctivitis( mild pink eye) for both eyes without any other ill symptoms like cold,fever..Now we are using Antibiotic drops.
When we asked the doctor about his drinking habits,She suggested us give my son urine sample for testing the dehydration and other symptoms.Today morning we got to know the result that my son having Urinary tract infection.They prescribed some antibiotics which we need to collect. Also they send urine to lab for checking bacteria. Still we need to get the results.
My question is what is reason for not drinking liquids?As he is good in eating and breast feeded baby we feel that he does not have any problem with swallowing or anything..Is their any connection between not drinking liquids and urinary tract infection? Please can you suggest me how much minimum water/milk daily intake should be good for toddlers..
Can i give him 100% Juices from stores..But this natural shugary juices are fine for toddlers?
What causes for urinary tract infection.. What care i need to take care in future?
Brief Answer:
Need to encourage fluids
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for contacting HCM with your health care concerns
You are concerned that your son has been reluctant to drink fluids. I recommend that you find something that he does like to drink. Because he is not drinking he is getting dehydrated. This dehydration is the cause for his hard and difficult stools. It would also explain his urinary tract infection. With highly concentrated urine he doesn't urinate enough to keep his bladder clear.
I would recommend that you experiment with different juices to find one that he enjoys and will drink. There is no reason to withhold juices because of natural vs. added sugars. Sugar is sugar and the source of that sugar will not make a difference in his health. What is more important is that he be hydrated appropriately so he can prevent further UTIs and constipation issues. Just get several bottles and give him the option as to which one he likes. Try all types and don't worry about the sugar content.
You can still use milk or even soy milk or chocolate flavored milk or soy. Just find something he likes to drink. Other sources of fluids can be oranges, apples and tangerines. Or soups or broths. Jello is almost completely fluid and a good source of liquids.
In summary
1. encourage fluids
2. trial of different juices
3. trial of milk or soy products
4. Fruits high in fluids like oranges, apples or tangerines
5. Jello desserts high in fluids
6. Increased fluids will reduce constipation
7. improved hydration reduce bladder infections
I hope I answered your question. Please contact HCM again with your health care concerns or questions. You may contact me again if you have any additional questions or comments
Need to encourage fluids
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for contacting HCM with your health care concerns
You are concerned that your son has been reluctant to drink fluids. I recommend that you find something that he does like to drink. Because he is not drinking he is getting dehydrated. This dehydration is the cause for his hard and difficult stools. It would also explain his urinary tract infection. With highly concentrated urine he doesn't urinate enough to keep his bladder clear.
I would recommend that you experiment with different juices to find one that he enjoys and will drink. There is no reason to withhold juices because of natural vs. added sugars. Sugar is sugar and the source of that sugar will not make a difference in his health. What is more important is that he be hydrated appropriately so he can prevent further UTIs and constipation issues. Just get several bottles and give him the option as to which one he likes. Try all types and don't worry about the sugar content.
You can still use milk or even soy milk or chocolate flavored milk or soy. Just find something he likes to drink. Other sources of fluids can be oranges, apples and tangerines. Or soups or broths. Jello is almost completely fluid and a good source of liquids.
In summary
1. encourage fluids
2. trial of different juices
3. trial of milk or soy products
4. Fruits high in fluids like oranges, apples or tangerines
5. Jello desserts high in fluids
6. Increased fluids will reduce constipation
7. improved hydration reduce bladder infections
I hope I answered your question. Please contact HCM again with your health care concerns or questions. You may contact me again if you have any additional questions or comments
Note: For further queries related to your child health, Talk to a Pediatrician. Click here to Book a Consultation.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Prasad
Answered by
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