My son has to have surgery 3 days before Xmas and they told us that he couldnt have formula for a whole day before it, but he could have juice, gatorade, and pedialite. I would like to get him used to drinking it before that day...so how should I introduce it? I only plan on giving him four onces a day until the day of his surgery. Any ideas? Should I dilute it?
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Just start with a teeny bit at a time and see what flavors he likes. If you will be using a sippy cup, introduce the drinks in a sippy cup. You could also just give him a teeny bit in a regular cup. You might try letting them come to room temperature before giving them to him, the cold might be a shock, when he's used to nice warm formula.
I wouldn't dilute it, but I guess that's personal choice. People are concerned about kids getting too much sugar in juice and other drinks, and then the kid doesn't eat because they've already gotten the calories they need. But my personal opinion is that it's not necessary if you're not giving them too much juice in the first place.
By the way, both my kids hate Pedialite, and that stuff is expensive! I think Gerber makes a powder electrolyte mix. It comes in little pouches that you mix with water, and is apple flavored. There's not as much waste as with those big bottles of Pedialite. (Especially if he won't drink it!) Pedialite also makes little popsicles that might be worth trying.
Good luck!
Baba Booey!
I never diluted juice, especially since your son is 6 months, there is no need to dilute it. (Well I did dilute prune juice once prior to 6 months because it was so strong, but that is thick prune juice and my son was only like 3 or 4 months). My pediatrician said baby can have juice after 6 months and no need to dilute. They eat fruit after 6 months, regular juice is fine.
I think the first juice I gave was apple juice and he loved it immediately. I personally prefer the organic juice (they don't have chemicals, artificial sweeteners, etc). No need to buy "baby juice", what in the world is baby juice anyway? Juice is juice after all, just another marketing scam.
Just buy some organic apple juice and try it out, chances are he will LOVE it! My son had to drink pedialyte once and he drank that no problem too.
You could either put it in his bottle or in a sippy cup and hold it for him, if he has never drank from a sippy maybe you want to start with the bottle.
Good luck with your son's surgery.
Amanda
Just give him some and see how he likes it. If he doesnt like it, you could try mixing a little bit into his formula to get him more used to the taste. Keep offering it to him to let him know its an option if he wants it. And yes, it should be diluted since hes only 6 months old. I wouldnt recommend orange juice though. Could upset his tummy if he has too much. Apple juice is great.
Thrifty917
Definately dilute it. I would recommend before his surgery giving him pedialyte instead of juice because since he won't be having formula, pedialyte has lots of things in it that he needs like electrolytes. Its designed for kids who are vomiting and not eating so that should be the best thing for him.
I hope everything goes well with your little boy. <3
Anonymous
I would dilute it for the first 5 days adding less water each day until the full strength dose.
I hope your 6month old goes well with the surgery.
If your son does not like gatorage etc... persist but dont mix... otherwise he might not like any of them.
Good Luck and Take Care.