My daughter doesn't drink enough fluids - help!

[Blessed_Mom]

Hi,

My daughter has dairy allergies, hates sweet things (no juices) and didn't take to any kind of milk (hemp, soy , coconut etc.)

She dry-nurses so no milk from me. She barely drinks water. But her pee output was good and I didn't get concerned. But nowadays , she has reduced her water intake even more and some days her pee output is definitely less .

I am trying to make her drink water - but she just doesn't want to....

Help - what should I do?

[mommy212]

Maybe you could try coconut water, or serving the water in a glass with cucumber slices or lemon slices, or mint leaves. Or try it with a straw, in a pretty glass, maybe let her pick out a new, special glass.... something like that maybe? Coconut water has electrolytes naturally and a mild coconut taste that is not very sweet at all. Perhaps herbal teas, like chamomile and mint tea with honey (or not), which is great cold on a hot summer day. I'm sure you know, but make sure none of the teas have caffeine!

[insidevoice]

Herb teas have been our salvation this summer.  DS 1 has some problems with hydration, so I'm constantly working to get fluids into him.  He doesn't drink a lot of water, but if I make mint iced tea he'll drink that.  

I also keep loads of watermelon/cantalope/etc handy- watermelon in particular. 

So far, we have avoided IV hydration- given his medical conditions, I count that as an absolute miracle. 

[KempsMama]

You could try healthy homemade frozen treats, and fruits high in moisture. 

[Blessed_Mom]

Thank you - I will try the teas . She didn't like coconut water.

Healthy homemade treats reminds me - where can I get recipes? I always get stumped when I think of those , especially since she cannot do dairy.

[mkksmom]

For frozen homemade treats, you just put some kind of frozen (or fresh) fruit, peaches, berries, bananas are always nice for the smoothness in a blender with liquid of some sort. A milk replacement of some kind and blend. Then you can get a mold for popsicles and and freeze them. I bought silicone containers like tubes, but any mold will work.