How can I get my 3 year old to drink more water?

Question

He loves his milk and will drink some juice. He just doesn't like water.

Answer 1

Only offer water. Make sure it is kind of cold though. Get thirsty enough, the water will be fine believe me. I was going through the same thing with my 2 year old stepdaughter. She came to visit and her urine was entirely too strong and yellow-so I could tell she haven't been drinking any water at all. I gave her cold water in her sippie cup or a regular cup and tell her she can't have any pop or juice.

Answer 2

Sounds familiar- here was my plan of attack.
First, make it mandatory, no water, then nothing else. Period, no exceptions.
Second, do alternate water and other beverages, noting that for 3/4 yr olds the serving is only 6 oz, not 8.
Third, make it appealing, keep cold water, not many people especially kids will drink it room temp.
Fourth, check out crystal light type drinks, since they are sugar and caffeine free, they count as water according to many dietitians.
Finally, make yourself an example, and make it fun, see who drinks more water each day, and reward him for choosing it without a fight, but expect fights.
Always remember, if he is thirsty, he will drink, even if you have to start in smaller doses (3/4 oz)
As a last resort use it slightly water down juice, but only if he is not looking!!!

Answer 3

When my daughter is thirsty she gets a choice, milk or water. Either way she is getting a healthy drink. She chooses water more often than not. She only gets juice in the morning and after her nap.

I know some kids can't drink milk, but tea or some other non- carbonated non-sweetened drink would work too.

Answer 4

We had the same problem with our son when he was about that age - all he drank was apple juice, which was rotting his teeth. Our pedi. told us to only allow him to drink water (nothing else). Keep cold water bottles in the fridge for him. When he was thirsty, he'd drink the water. We were able to slowly add in other drinks. He's never really been much of a water drinker (unlike his older brother and I).

Answer 5

Milk or Juice with a meal..water in between..or nothing. If thirsty , will take the water. But makes it easier if its cold or has ice. could also be the taste of the tap water that turns your child away from it.

Answer 6

I give my son flavored water. It's not expensive at all. You can find it at walmart or meijer for 2 or 3 for $1. The only downside is that it is carbonated so I shake it up to decarbonate it. The flavoring is still there and it gets him to drink water. Often times he will ask for water and not juice now. I hope this helps!

Answer 7

I concur with Tonia T and add that with my children i sometimes added a few drops of lemon or orange juice for flavoring. And sometimes i'd plop in some ice shapes that we had made together. They really enjoyed that because we could only make more when they'd finished the first batch.

They are older now and still enjoy their h2o. I've also watched them show this to younger kids with a better success rate than if the adult offered it.

Answer 8

juice has so much sugar a 3 yr old really shouldnt be drinking much of it they should be eating fruit instead. have a sippy cup with water in it available for him all day long when he gets thirsty he will drink it if there are no other options with my daughter we also sing this wiggles song "gulp gulp drink some water its so good for you" and she loves it and it really does make her drink more

Answer 9

I had this issue with my son as well... I found the easiest thing to do was to go to Walmart or Target and buy some mini sports bottles (usually about $1.50-$2 for 2). At that age, it's all about the packaging. My son would suck down water if it was in the sports bottles, but not if it was in a cup.

Answer 10

If you got a boy tell him that the water will give him strong muscles and if a girl tell her all pretty girls drink water. You could also tell your child that all big kids drink water or just give him/her no other choice sometimes.