Fluid refusal

She's refusing the syringe too.  And I'm not sure how much to 'force' just because it doesn't seem to be related to illness now - it's just been getting gradually worse over time.  She not even eating the same amounts as normal - probably because most of what I'm giving her is slushy so that I can hide fluid in it!!

I'm going to make some jelly and iceblocks.  She will probably eat those.  But I really am at a loss as to what to do otherwise.  There isn't anyone else here to hold her down if I go down the forcing it in route and I'm not sure that will solve the issue anyway (well - would solve the immediate issue of potential dehydration but not the longer term issue of getting her to drink!).

I'm thinking I will try and get her in to see the GP tomorrow.  Healthline offered no advice - except to go to the GP!

That's a good idea re the pump bottle.  That is one I hadn't thought of so will give that a go.  She seems interested in cups etc - but not to drink - just to play. 

I just keep telling myself it's a phase I have to get through but you are right - the longer it goes on, and the warmer it gets, the more stressed I get about it (which I'm sure doesn't really help either!).

Thanks for the ideas.  Fingers crossed the pump bottle works!!

Well, she's had about 100mls of fluid today, plus breakfast, a very small runny lunch and about 1/2 a cup of jelly.  Hopefully that is enough to keep her going.  I phoned Plunketline this morning thinking they would be full of tips but they just put me through to Healthline.  The Family Centre is a great idea though - I will give them a call tomorrow.  I must admit that I forget they exist.

I've just been given a few tricks to try from a Paed Speech Therapist so will try those at breakfast time.  I might give the control thing some thought too.  That would absolutely fit her personality so I wonder if there is a way around it at this age.  She struggles to hold and control a cup of any sort but maybe actually letting her have a bowl of food to play with might help.  I quite often give her a spoon but she definitely wants the one with the food on it - maybe I can use that somehow.

She's had two semi wet nappies all day today so she must be fairly borderline but other than sunken eyes and being a bit more tired and grizzly than usual she is still going strong!

Haha - sometimes I wonder what Healthline does too!  I guess like all things it totally depends upon the experience / knowledge of the person you talk to.  Sometimes I have found they are full of useful advice but mostly they tell me what I already know and then ask what what I would have done if I hadn't called them (which makes me want to answer with all sorts of silly things)!

She has diarrhoea this morning and her skin is starting to look rather purple with big white patches where I touch her so we are off to the GP at lunchtime.  I'm not sure what he will be able to do - I can get in tiny amounts using all the strategies you guys and others have suggested but it's just not enough.