How Much Chould Toddlers Be Drinking?

L., Unless your doctor says otherwise, I don't think water will hurt her. I alwasy just leave a sippy cup with water out on the table for my children to get. IF she is indeed only wanting it because she is afraid she can not have it, she will soon stop when she sees she can get the water herself whenever she wants it. When I potty trained I brought my children to the bathroom every 1.5 hours. If they went potty like a big girl, they got to pick a "potty toy" (a nickle toy that they got to grab from a box I had". After the first week of this, they got stickers for each potty instead of a toy. The stickers eventually earned a bigger toy or activity. This lasted, from beginning to end maybe a month tops.

Good luck,
R.

Hi L.,
You should have her blood sugar checked. One of the signs of diabetes is constant thirst. My step-sister is diabetic and that's how my step-mom figured it out. If that's not it I would keep a cup on the counter for her to drink whenever she wants and give her a water bottle in the car. Good luck.
Chris

Well first try just letting her have a cup that you can trust her with and watch the water intake.

Then; test her out to be sure that she does not have diabetes or something else that may be starting up... Extreme thirst can be a symptom to certain illnesses.

Otherwise, she could be just trying to assert independence? I let my son have his cup or glass / straw (contained for spillage control!) when he is home as I believe he should not have to ask for his water... and he just runs around and does just drink in one sitting... If she is stressed, there are ways to help her naturally and safely (without the use of drugs!) that could get her off the 'drinking' kick if it is overly excessive...

Good Luck!

I would let her have as much water as she wants - like some of the other posters have said, get her a sippy cup or water bottle that she can reach and get a drink whenever she wants. Then she won't have to interrupt you to get a drink. Water is good for her and she will tire of it if she is not thirsty, but you definitely don't want her drinking juice, milk, or worse all day long. However, I think some of this may also be that she is asking for attention, so make sure she is getting enough Mommy time throughout the day (I know that is easier said than done - it seemed like the more attention I gave my kids, the more they wanted!)

I would try leaving a water cup available all day (that's what I do for my 2 & 3 yr olds). If, in fact, she is really thirsty all the time, that could indicate a health problem and you should discuss it with her doctor.

I agree with most of the other moms. Get her tested for diabeties. And only give her water.