How should I get my 22 month old to drink juice or water? He is strictly a milk boy. Any tricks?

Question

I'd like to try to get him off of only milk before the summer so that he won't dehydrate while I refuse the milk! During these temperatures he can afford to not drink for a few days.

Answer 1

Put the water or juice in his cup and don't give him milk.

Answer 2

I asked a simular question since my 18 month old will not drink water. Some of the responses I got was to add food coloring to it, add ice so it can add some entertainment, or have him see YOU drinking the milk or water so he doesn't think that it's yucky.

As for the juice...it just may be too strong. Water it down as juice is way too sweet anyhow. Also, look for juice that is 100% juice such as Juicy Juice and try a variety of flavors (maybe start with the little Gerber juices so you can try a variety without having to try bigger bottles and waste money?). Also, ask your Pediatrician about Propel or flavored water.

Answer 3

I have read (parenting mag) that you should can switch to skim milk once your child turns 2 since they no longer need the fat of whole milk. My daughter wants juice over milk so I have to dilute it with alot of water so she not getting too much sugar. My rugrat likes to drink out of my glass sometimes so you might try drinking some juice in a grown up cup and making a big deal out of it and ask your son if he would like to try some. Then offer to put it in his favorite sippy. You might have to try this a couple of times and try different flavors of juice. Good luck.

Answer 4

I don't really have any answer for you, except that a lot of pediatricians don't recommend giving your children juice at all. If they are skinny, juice makes them not want to eat and if they are chubby, juice will just make them chubbier.
Is he still on the breast or bottle? I would just keep giving him milk and offer him water at random times. Don't worry he eventually will drink it and than you will wonder why he won't want to drink milk!! Kids!!!!

Answer 5

Just don't give him milk. Because they will be picky at first, but when they get thirsty, they will drink what you give them eventually. my baby is more of a juice drinker, but doesn't drink water unless she drinks out of my cup. But it's still winter, so just gradually do it, you have some time. Remember, babies have short term memories, so he's not gonna go on strike for a few weeks because he doesn't get any milk. So just keep giving him anything other milk and he'll come around....

Answer 6

It sounds like you are nursing... so I can tell you what I did. While my kids were drinking breast milk I also gave them sippy cups of water during the day. They ate cheese and yogurt (that's all the dairy necessary anyway) and weaned without any problems at all. Mornings were the most important for me and within a week they were only having morning feedings. Do not get involved in the juice thing (rule of thumb - eat your fruit and drink your water!) Babies do not need the empty calories.

good luck!

Answer 7

Ummm, no - he can't afford to NOT drink any days. You get just as dehydrated during the winter as you can when it's hot.

Let him drink milk - it's not harming him, and it won't harm him to drink milk in the summer either. He'll change when he's ready to change - at least he's drinking something good for him.

Answer 8

as far as drinking juice that is best started when he is getting to sleep and or when he wakes in the middle of the night and is thirsty if this dosent work i suggest you make up the diffrence with more fruit snacks as far a swater start watering down his milk ie start with 2% then water down slightly very gradually before you know it we have a water drinker answered by a father of 4 good luck

Answer 9

Do you dilute the juice? If you do, I would give him straight juice. 100%. Then when he gets used to the juice, start diluting it.