ds sick, need ideas on getting him to take in liquid...

[betty]

6, almost 7, but has intellectual disabilities. He's been throwing up and has a fever. I just want him to take in a little liquid so he doesn't get dehydrated and need an IV (we've there before, just not in a few years. He's bigger physically so that may help). He's refused popsickles and sips from a cup. I could break out one of those straw cups, but I don't want him to suck down a lot at once.

[Michelle in AL]

You might want to try jello or if he'll take it droppers full of pedialyte or other liquid he'd like. We've used the dropper method once when our dd was a baby when they were unable to get an IV in. The very small amounts keeps them from vomiting it up. If you use the straw cup, could you just put a small amount in each time?
Is his throat red? I worked at my husband's office on Monday (he's a pediatician) and we had several kids with fever/vomiting or fever/sore throat that had strep (we're in Alabama). It must be going around here.

[Remudamom]

Oh bless his heart. Would he understand if you explained to him you want to avoid the hospital/iv scenario? I'd definitely get him something fun to use, maybe just hold it with him so he doesn't drink too much too fast. I give mine weak sweet tea, sometimes that seems to go down better than Seven-Up or Sprite.

With my much older children I always say "Keep drinking or we'll end up in the hospital with a long nasty needle stuck up in your arm." My kids are used to my Attila the Hun bedside manner.

[hpymomof3]

A few things I've done in the past:

Used a dropper to put a small amount of liquid in their mouth repeated several times an hour.

Used a spoon and did the same thing.

I've also fed them crushed ice (the consistancy of a snow cone). Our refrigerator has this feature. If his throat hurts too this may make it easier to swallow.

I would also think about using the sippy cup but just putting a small amount of liquid in it at a time and perhaps helping him to hold the cup.

I hope he feels better soon. :)

[daisychics]

Dh always gives the kids popsicles. It works!

edit: oops didn't read all the way through..

[Tammy in Germany]

I actually freeze ginger ale and once it's frozen crush it up and put it into dixie cups for them. They can suck on it and you can control the amount.
Hope he feels better soon.

[ClassicMom]

:grouphug:Oh, bless his heart.

Been there, done that. We have a MR son and it really is hard when he gets sick. I use crushed ice. I pound the heck out of it to get really small pieces.

I like the idea above to freeze ginger ale. Maybe 7-up? That might taste good too?

My mom always says droppers of un-fizzed coke or pepsi. My son doesn't like it without the fizz, but you might want to try that.

Good luck. I know you don't want to make that trip to ER.

[NevadaRabbit]

6, almost 7, but has intellectual disabilities. He's been throwing up and has a fever. I just want him to take in a little liquid so he doesn't get dehydrated and need an IV (we've there before, just not in a few years. He's bigger physically so that may help). He's refused popsickles and sips from a cup. I could break out one of those straw cups, but I don't want him to suck down a lot at once.

I'm sorry - poor little guy. My ds ended up in the ER with an IV from vomiting earlier this spring. :(

Just one more suggestion: the juice from canned peaches (because it is syrupy), on a spoon to regulate the amount. If ds has the barfs, I start with one little spoon of peach juice if he has not vomited for an hour; if that stays down he gets another spoonful the next hour - seriously small amounts, well-spaced. Praying your son holds down some liquids.