On day 6 with my 11 month old who just got over a viral throat infection (tested negative for strep, flu, COVID, RSV). Hospital sent us home and said she'll get through this, just keep her hydrated. She had to receive medication to help with pain and fever and she did not like this at all. She cried every time. She stopped wanting to put anything in her mouth including her pacifier. She will dry heave when I just approach her with something to drink or eat. We had to syringe feed her milk because she wouldn't drink anything, and because of this she may have developed a fluid aversion.
She is drinking water now with food and I'm making wet foods for her but I don't think it's enough fluid! She's super cautious and needs to taste test everything with her finger before she'll even consider it. Now she's refusing most drinks and I've tried everything - bottles, sippy cups, popsicles, ice cubes, mixing milk into her food, just leaving a cup near her. Seems like the only time she'll still take the bottle is during a dream feed. She may be self weaning so I'm also focusing on wet foods.
What else can I try to get fluids in her without making this aversion worse? I'm exhausted and running out of ideas. I'm backing off with the fluids and just leaving a cup next to her. What is everyone doing to keep their little ones hydrated??