Problems with Drinking Fluids

I'm really sorry to hear about the challenges you're facing with your partner's son. It must be tough for all of you. Sometimes, it's not just about the fluids but also the cups and glasses that can make a difference, especially with kids. Maybe you could explore some options with cups that might make it more appealing for him to drink. The material and design can sometimes play a role .I've heard of this site, [link removed by mod] where they have various types of cups and mugs, and they might have something that suits your situation. It could be worth checking out.

Hi my little girl 6 we going  through same dosnt want to drink 

Hi Martin, thank you for your response.

It would make sense what you say about the lack of interoception. This is something we will be talking to the GP about.

We do still give him pepsi when all else fails or if he has not drunk much. He does drink a few other drinks like tea so we always try those first.

Thank you for your reply. I think the sparkling water is a good idea. I think I have one of those soda streams in the cupboard somewhere. Will also give the innocent smoothie idea a go!

His school is quite concerned about the amount he drinks. It's one of the topics discussed a lot. They do their best and even make him cups of tea to drink.

We will be speaking with the GP soon regarding it. Hopefully they can give some advice too.

Hi Anna Mod,

Thank you for your response. I appreciate the links and I will have a good look tomorrow!

Hi PersonAnon,

Thank you for your response. You've given us a few ideas ro try that we didn't think of. We will see if changing to bottled water helps at all and will look into the routine drink time.

I don't think he's bothered about the temperature of his drinks but we didn't think of that either. So thank you.

Thank you all for your replies. I didn't expect any so quickly. I will have a good read through tomorrow. 

My little brother has sensory issues with food and drink. He absolutely loves innocent smoothies which not only hydrates him but it is full of fruit and veg that we could never get him to eat. Have you tried those?  It saved my brother from needing medical help (which might be a route you need to take) Have you tried fizzy water and adding fruit juice or squash to it as it might mimic the texture of a fizzy drink. A good secret way to get kids to drink is to do water play. At the kitchen sink or even in the bath. Just don’t use any bubbles and gives lots of items that can hold water. And leave the tap running cold. Without the attention sometimes they drink. What do his school do/say about the situation? Do they find it hard to get him to drink too?

I think the basic problem is a lack of interoception, he has no, or does not recognise, thirst. In such a situation, concentration on the 'usual' ideas of what is good or bad to drink is not helpful. If the only liquid he will accept is Pepsi, then go with Pepsi. Water with sugar is much better than no water at all. 

Hi NAS76172, I am sorry to hear that your partner's child is going through a difficult time. Our pages on eating issues may help, and there are some useful tips for eating that could be used for drinking too: https://www.autism.org.uk/advice-and-guidance/professional-practice/eating-top-tips

and

https://www.autism.org.uk/advice-and-guidance/topics/behaviour/eating/all-audiences 

This general page on Keeping healthy may also provide some ideas, especially the prompts, motivators and picture symbols: https://www.autism.org.uk/advice-and-guidance/topics/physical-health/keeping-healthy 

If a social care plan is not in place, this page might help: https://www.autism.org.uk/advice-and-guidance/topics/social-care  

If you fear that the child is very dehydrated, do not hesitate to contact 111 for medical help if it's outside your GP hours to reach the NHS 111 service: https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/urgent-and-emergency-care-services/when-to-use-111/ 

And call 999 or go to your nearest A&E department if it's very urgent. 

I hope these links help.

Best wishes,

Anna Mod

Gosh, that sounds difficult. 

I imagine that once it becomes “an issue” and you’re into a parent/child struggle, it’s difficult to break the cycle.  Fizzy drinks / caffeine are definitely not good for the liver; even worse if the child is dehydrated and they aren’t being flushed through.  

I imagine you’ve done variations of all the things outlined below but here goes in case it sparks any new thoughts for you:

Let him choose his own cup/glass/beaker. Or a special bottle?

Do you know if he prefers cold or hot drinks?  As a child I had an absolute horror of lukewarm ‘cold’ drinks (I still do, to some extent).  For me a drink is either very cold, or hot (unless its red wine or something); there are no acceptable stages in between those extremes.  Cold soft drinks, or things like cider, need ice; beer needs to be in a glass so cold it frosts (I can enjoy a beer every now and then but loathe lukewarm beer served in UK pubs).  I’m not saying he’s the same, but he may have temperature preferences of some sort???? 

Are you using tap water or bottled?  Whichever, is it worth swapping, and letting him know that, and seeing if that makes a difference?  Again, as a child, I read an article about what was in tap water; the water was (of course) perfectly safe, but that was it, no more tap water (this at a time before bottled water was available).  I know bottled water may contain tiny things that aren't great, too (plastic micro particles for eg) but is the 'source' of the water worth looking at???  Obviously at five he hasn't read anything that's put him off, but something may have.  

Have a routine for drinks so that everyone in the house sits down to drink at the same time every day, without making a big thing about it, or even really discussing it???  It just becomes part of the background tapestry of family life that everyone has a drink at that time???

Maybe if he has a favourite activity, do that during your drink break, so that it becomes fun?  Some kind of treat?  OK maybe that’s my ‘dog trainer head’ but maybe there’s something there???  It's a cliche amongst people who train dogs, but are also parents, that there are significant similarities between parenting a two year old child and looking after a two year old dog, and what works for one quite often works for the other, with a little adaption (OK, yours is five, but you get the principle). 

Perhaps accept that currently he won’t drink much, so just put a small amount in the glass, so it’s not a huge mental hill to climb, then gradually increase it, imperceptibly, every couple of days???  Do it with a measuring cup so you’re ultra accurate but take a l-o-n-g time to build up (months) so that it’s not a challenge?  Accept that you have to sometimes take a backward step and go to last week’s measurement if he balks????

Wishing you all the very best with him.  I’m sure others will have some ideas.