Fluid refusal

oh boy...4 spoonfuls of dinner (which is food she would normally love) and she is on strike again.  Thank goodness I managed to get most of her antibiotics into those 4 spoonfuls because she is also refusing the bottle, cup, syringe etc etc etc.  What is up with my child?!?  She was at least eating solids and taking meds before we left the ward. 

Unfortunately they were only interested in dealing with the hydration issue - not the total picture so I wonder if we are just going back to the beginning of the cycle again.

haha - thanks!  I think I have everything crossed and double crossed now too!

I was actually thinking of Kiwilaurie and wondering whether I should get her advice.  Might PM her shortly.  I think the issue begins as sickness related (in this case an ear infection) but becomes behavioral very quickly.  I did try and discuss that with them but I think because even when very dehydrated she charms everyone in ED and then the ward they don't take it very seriously. 

Oh well...well get through the night and see how things are in the morning. 

Definitely still having issues.  She has just finished treatment (again!) for another ear infection but is pretty low again on fluids.  Yesterday she got enough through a mix of bottles and food so we'll see what today brings.  The GP checked her over yesterday (we thought we'd get in early to rule anything obvious out) and she is fine.

Juzzo it looks like our two are around the same age.  Do you have any ideas about reasons??  I feel like it takes over my life to a certain degree.  I feel the stress levels rise as soon as we have a few low fluids days!

No such luck.  When she refuses she really digs her heels in!  We've tried different adults, locations, spoons, cups etc.  Thankfully she is getting enough in at the moment but she is one determined little lady!!  Even her two year old brother attemped attempted to feed her at one stage - I figured it was worth a go given that she adores him but no luck!

I'm hoping that as her independance increases things will settle down a bit.

Kate

I have no advice, as we never had to do an extended battle with food and drink...

I really really hope she starts picking up her game soon, for all of your sakes! Did the hospital staff have anything useful to say re: the long-term issues, or were they more concerned with the acute problem? Could you ask to be referred to a specialist (although what kind of specialist might be a harder question!).

Hope you get it sorted soon! And you are not an idiot of a mother. If you were you wouldn't be trying to get it sorted like you are.

Just a thought and I am sure that you have already done this but have you left bottles/cups of water hanging around where your DD can get at them. DD treats her cups etc as a toy and has just worked out that she can blow into her straws to make bubbles. I give her ice to play and suck on too which she thinks is great and gets more into her.

Also does she have much interaction with other babies the same age? They are very good at mimicking each other so if she sees another bub drinking she might be more interested.

Although I have to say I'm not speaking from experience as DD loves water. Good Luck