How can I get my 2 yr old to drink more water?

Question

He will not drink it. Tried the flavored Dsani's, Crystal Lite, and even the clear Pedialite like the Dr suggested but he WILL NOT drink it. He won't even drink juice if its diluted. I hate masking the water to get him to drink it but I can't let him drink juice like he wants because he has stomach problems and I know its not good for him. No matter how we try to get him to drink plain cold water, he throws a fit and he is so stubborn, he will go without it what seems like forever until he get his nightly cup of milk. He only gets one of those per day and its before bedtime. Dr's orders. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks.

Answer 1

Put your foot down. Offer him the water and don't give in, no matter what!! He refuses right now because he knows you will eventually give him something he would rather have. He will not thirst to death, I promise! It takes a long time for someone to get dehydrated, so there is nothing to worry about. He will eventually get thirsty and drink the water. Once he knows you mean business, he will drink it when it is offered.
Once you have won this fight, you can offer deluted juice or something else as a treat.

Answer 2

Ok I had the same problem with my 4 yr old who absolutly refused to drink water. I gave her some of the fitness water. It's called Propel. I belive it's made by gatorade. But anyhow it's really good for them in helping restore the fluids. But here is the sneaky part. Have you ever tried it? It's flavored in things like strawberry, grape, ect. If you didn't see that it was clear you would think it was kool-aid. My daughter dosen't hardly drink anything else now. I really hope that this helps. Also it's not that expensive. I know at the walmart here I can get a 33 oz bottle of it for a $1. Good luck on this I really hope it helps out.

Oh yeah make sure and put in into a colored sippy cup. So he can't tell it's clear. Because then he will think it's that plain ole yucky water!

Answer 3

I recently posted this question and some of the responses I got were

1. Put ice in the sippie so your son will shake it and make it more fun.
2. Put a slice of lemon or lime in it.
3. Try Propel water (ask your Pediatrician first)
4. Try a sippie cup with your sons favorite character on it
5. Put stickers on a sippie cup so he can look at those and hopefully be distracted enough to drink the water
6. Put food coloring in the water so he thinks that it's Kool-Aid or something else.

I don't agree with all of these answers, but the ice in the cup is working so far for me. Good Luck!

Answer 4

You can also try Propel waters. They have a better flavor than some of the flavored waters. You can also try using food coloring in the flavored waters to make it seem more like juice. I know it's tricky, but sometimes it has to happen. The medicine syringes are a fun way to drink, and so is a little water gun. You could try making water popsicles and slushies to spark some interest.

Good luck!!

Answer 5

I would just keep giving him the water. He will drink it if he gets thirsty enough and realises that he will get nothing else. If he goes all day then leave him be. Don't back down because then he will know that he will get his way. Does he see you dilute the juice with the water. Chances are if he doesn't see it then he wouldn't realises you were doing it. He might drink it then.
My niece went through this in a way. She doesn't get juice all she wanted to ever drink was milk. We started putting food coloring in her water to make it fun colors and she started drinking it without a problem.

Answer 6

I don't really know what to tell you. Maybe you can try making frozen pops with him just made from water or even say the two of you are going to make water ice (using with just water and ice). I mean it's not like he really knows what else gives the two things actual flavor. Another thing, are you drinking your water everyday? Kids often mimic what they see. It's like, how can you expect a child keep there seat belt on if you don't put on or keep on yours? Maybe as you drink the water you can say things like "watch mommy get strong" and do something really funny. I use to act like I was drinking something so very refreshing like on a Coke commercial and take a sip and then say "ahhhhhhhhhhhhh" with a big ole Kool Aid smile. My toddler then tries to imitate me and it becomes a game that we do back and forth. Just be a little creative, get silly, children learn through play.

Answer 7

My daughter was the same way. I let her go to the Disney store as well as others and pick out some fun cups. We have canteens, chuckie cheese cups, every princess, crazy straw cups and even travel mugs. My daughter loves having tea parties, using medicine droppers or playing restaurant with water. She loves to drink water now. I even got something to put on our faucet to make it like a drinking fountain. That was a big hit.

Answer 8

It's not the best thing, but can increase water consumption if you add a little bit of Tang powder or they even make Kool-Aid singles. I prefer the Tang-makes the water orange and adds a bit of flavor without as much sugar.

Answer 9

He's two. You are an adult. Give him water. Tell him he can have juice AFTER he drinks water. Don't give in. If he throws a tantrum put him in time out. When he gets thirsty he will drink it.

Answer 10

I'm not an expert on kids but my mom always got me to eat spinach because she said I would be strong like Popeye. Maybe you can have his favorite cartoon character and similate it drinking water and being happy. Maybe that will help sorry I can't input more.