How can I get him to drink water?

[Caroline-Charlies Mummy]

Hello,

This can't be a long post, I'm afraid, b/c I have ds sitting on my knee trying to type for me  :roll:  .

Anyway, I have recently started him on solids, and would love to get him to drink a little cooled, boiled water, but he hates it. I've tried it from a bottle and a trainer cup, warm and cool, but he just pulls a face and spits it out. What can I do? I've even tried water with just 1 scoop of formula in it, but that got him cross b/c he thought he was getting a bottle of milk!

TIA
Caroline

[notenoughshelfspace]

I do not know if you will be able to find it but this is worth a try; BOOTS pharmacy have an organic baby food range and there they sell water with just a touch of fruit, I have seen apple and blackcurrant. Maybe start him off on this and then gradually dilute ot more and more?

[Jane D]

Hi,

The best thing to do is just hang on in there, my ds also hated the taste for some time - its a totally new thing for them after all.  Just keep offering it to him and eventually he will start to take it.

The key is not to give up or force him in any way, if he's thirsty he will drink - just offer it with every meal and when he's a bit bigger and getting snacks instead of milk, with his snacks too.

Take water out with you too, and you can give him a sip between bottles if necessary.

Don't worry, he will eventually catch on.  Theres nothing to worry about unless of course he is becoming constipated.

[Caroline-Charlies Mummy]

Thanks for your replies, I suppose I should just be persistent. It's just annoying sterilising everything, then boiling the kettle, letting the water cool down, then giving it to him just to spit out  :x .

Are those Boots drinks OK for babies? I don't want him to have any sugar yet. I'll look out for them next time I'm there.

Caroline

[sa]

when i first tried to introduce water to DS, i used spoon to feed him.
spoon feeding was new experience for him at that time and he was very interested to try.
then try let him play with the training cup with little water in it (not too much otherwise it will be too heavy for him to hold).
 
HTH.