My 9 month old daughter is not drinking as much as she should be...

Maryellen - posted on 01/16/2009

I agree with the others when they say to go by wet diapers. But, how many is enough? My daughter's doctor said she should have a wet diaper every hour. Yikes! I know my daughter struggles with drinking enough water (she prefers milk). In my case, however, she's almost 3 years old. I make sure I set the right example by drinking enough water myself. Set a good example yourself, but go by wet diapers. Hang in there!

Elizabeth - posted on 01/15/2009

I agree completely with the others here about the diapers.  Go by how much is coming out.  If you're getting a reasonable amount out, and it isn't coming out dark and seeming really concentrated you're doing all right.  You might also want to look up dehydration symptoms and signs in babies, so you can know for sure all the things to watch for.

Not all children and people really need the same amounts of anything as anyone else.  To quote Pirates of the Caribbean:  they're more like guidelines.  I've always been very light on my liquid consumption, since I was a small child.  My grandmother would always crab at me that I didn't drink enough water, but I was just fine.  Now that I'm grown up, I understand that I simply feel ill if I have too much water in one sitting.  Our bodies are amazing devices.  She might be the same way that I am and simply unable to tell you that her tummy feels too full after just a little bit of water.  Just a little stomach.

As someone else suggested, try giving her popsicles.  Soup is all right, but be careful of giving her too much salt.  While a little might be good to let her feel a bit more thirsty at meals, too much will make her retain water improperly, and that will eventually dehydrate her.  You might also try fruity baby foods, or fruits themselves if you think she can handle them.  Fresh fruit is a fantastic, natural source of water.

While doctors are very educated and worth listening to, they are human and prone to working by official books (for legal reasons).  If she isn't showing signs of dehydration, don't worry.  As long as she isn't being overheated, (over-dressed/your house is too warm/spends too much time outside/gets left in cars) you'll have some warning if she's not getting enough.

Christine - posted on 01/15/2009

thank you I will try these suggestions. and yes everything else is normal and she still has wet diapers. again thanks.

Andrea - posted on 01/15/2009

maybe try popsicles or soup to get exra fluids into her.  Not every baby follows every standard but if she is wetting and behaving normally she may just be going through a phase.  Is she doing anything else you find odd?  Does her mouth seem sensitive?

Cindi - posted on 01/15/2009

Is she having wet diapers? I sometimes worry about my 9 month old son too. He is still breastfeeding, but you never know how much milk he is getting. He drinks a little water throughout the day and at mealtimes. My lactation consultant said to go by the diapers...his diapers are always wet. Also, I give him juicy fresh pears in a Nibbler and he sucks all the juice out of them. Great for teething too.