drop the sugary juices...and gatorade...let her make "flavored waters" till she finds one she likes...a tiny bit of vanilla, or orange/lemon flavoring..let her mix and match.. kids will drink water eventually but it must be offered and often..how about a special water bottle just for her? let her fill it and make sure it's done by a certain time...90% of the time that's all we have for the grands (i will go out and buy bottled water in kid size) and they drink the heck out of it...because there is nothing else...

do you have a blender? crunch up ice...kids usually love to eat it...

Water is the healthiest. Iced tea, if made from black tea is NOT a good thing if there's any chance she could develop kidney stones from inadequate hydration. Green tea is okay, but don't push too much regular iced tea on her.

I do drink a lot of water--plain water, water with lemon or lime juice in it--because I'm prone to kidney stones.

Look, I just spent most of last week in the hospital. Was operated on on Thursday (yes--operated, NOT lithotripsied) for a kidney stone that was too large to pass, and was causing me so much pain, they had to keep me in the hospital until they could do something about it, so they could keep me doped up. She definitely doesn't want to risk that, either (cannot imagine how horrible it would be for a child to go through that kind of pain.) Some kidney stones are caused by repeated kidney infections.

Whatever you have to do, get her drinking water--mostly water--in adequate quantities. It's good for so many of our body's necessary functions. Could you try water with a squeeze of lemon, lime or orange? I know I'm speaking about a different problem than you say she has, but kidney stones are often the result of not drinking enough of the right fluids. And citric acid does help dissolve them, so the citrus is not just a flavor enhancer, but a health-enhancer as well.

Otherwise, what medical help has she had? Family dr? If this is a repeated problem, I'd call the best children's hospital in your area and get the name of a pediatric urologist, and get her in to see him/her rather than messing around with a general practice dr or pediatrician.

I would not due the ice tea etc. Are you deleting the Gatorade? Capri Sun might have alot of sugar and preservatives. What does your Dr. say? Maybe taking just water and you flavor it--like adding real Orange Juice, Cranberry Juice etc. There maybe other medical issues involved. If you are not happy with your Dr., get a second opinion, go to Web MD or Mayo Clinic and do some research.

Good advice above. She really has to "unlearn" the idea that drinks must be sweet. I had to unlearn that myself a long time ago. Water hydrates. Tea, unfortunately, has the opposite effect.

Both my daughter and I have a favorite drink. Fill a pitcher with water, chill it in refrigerator, adding about a teaspoon of lemon juice (fresh works best). We keep a pitcher of this in the fridge at all times. Since my kidney transplant, I'm under doctors' orders to drink 2 quarts of water a day. Oh, I also use a Brita filter pitcher. Since it's handy and tastes so good, we have to refill the pitcher several times a day. Lime juice isn't as good, because limes are more bitter than lemons. And I absolutely HATE the taste of any diet sweeteners. Keep away from additional chemicals, especially with a child.

Not healthier IMO but sometimes my teens go thru phases drinking the small flavored envelopes you pour in water bottles. They come in sugar free as well. My daughter also likes the Vitamin Water and Lifewater. Both have sugar free optons, vitamins, and the Lifewater has pretty bottles she would like. Sugar free Koolaid could be another option. As for the water-how about getting her an assortment of crazy straws?? Maybe they have them at Party City, Dollar Tree, or Target. When I went to the Southern Woman's show they had a display of various drinks with chains of sugar packets hanging off them to show how much sugar was in each. I had no idea Gatorade had way more sugar than soda!

I totally agree that the sweetened drinks are bad. Normally, they are reserved for picnics and such. We don't drink them on a regular basis. After dd developed the bladder infection, I had to do something to get fluid in her. I didn't think the tea was so good, but it made her pee so that was a good thing. I may go buy some lemons and make homemade lemonade. The acid in citrus fruit is supposed to be helpful.

Dd has been to the Urgent care doctor. The UC doctor recommended I take her to a regular pediatrician if I need to take her back. The UC doctor also told me that they would need to do further testing if the problem continues.

I love coconut water, really quenches my thirst. I tend to dilute any juice with water if I drink it. Nestle offers a carbonated water - plain, lemon or lime that does not have any sodium, sugar or artificial sweeteners.

You know, it occurs to me, that aside from the hydration issue, you might want to make sure she's aware of the environmental issues than can promote Urinary tract infections. Does she know she always needs to wipe front to back? Is she aware that moisture can also be a problem? wearing pantyhose (do little girls wear them these days?) or underpants that don't wick (cotton is healthiest, if not cutest), sitting around in a wet bathing suit, etc are all things that can also contribute to infections. Also, if she swims in public pools a lot, that's where a lot of kids pick these things up.

Just saying--those things can also make a difference, and at her age, she's not too young to be included as a partner in her own healthcare. She can be educated and trained to know what is and is not good for her.

Ice cold water is actually very enjoyable. I'd go with that.

The sugar in the drinks will probably cause more inflammation for her bladder too. Try some cranberry supplements too, it is a very safe supplement to take.

I use something called MiO, a water flavor-er with no sugar or carbs. It comes in a little squeeze bottle that allows you to put in a little or a lot (it's artificially sweetened, so you don't want to use a lot) in your water. It comes in a pretty wide variety of flavors...fruity choices as well as Sweet Tea and Peach Tea (my favorite). I really like this stuff. I squirt a little into my first glass of the day.

It can be found in the same location as the other drink mixes. Beware that MiO also comes in an 'energy' option, which is loaded with caffeine....you sure don't want that one.

My DIL gives her kids (my precious Grandbabies!) Crystal Lite in a bottled water - they LOVE it!

Hygiene is definately an issue. We are working on it, but she is still a little kid with little kid habits.

Dd loves cranberry juice. There is only so much of that a person can stand to drink. She needs more water. It is a matter of actually getting it in her. I went out and bought some lemons. I will make lemonade. I might try fancying up plain water with floating fruit. We'll see how that goes.

Thanks for the ideas.

If you make lemonade, you'll still be giving her lots of sugar, right? For me, I can't stand the taste of lemon in my water (unless it's lemonade, I mean). Just plain lemon in water is awful to me and I won't drink it. But I do drink water. I don't care for ice cold water, myself. I like water without ice. Experiment with what your daughter will like; not everyone's the same. But I agree that the sugar in the things she's drinking isn't good and will make plain water less desirable.

I am not so worried about the sugar in the lemonade as long as I can cut back on the other drinks. I will probably only add half of the sugar called for in the recipe. The doctor recommended Vitamin C gummies. She said they help improve the acidity of the urine which makes it harder for the bacteria. Lemonade should have the same effect.

Dd used to be really good about drinking water. I think our bodies sometimes reject it when we aren't feeling good. That may be why dd isn't drinking it right now.

Did you know that they make pitchers with an insert that you can load up with different fruits to infuse the water with the flavor? I've linked one below. One of my favorites is strawberry water...yum! As long as you keep the fruit covered with water and refrigerated, the fruit will last several days. Your daughter might get a kick out of trying different flavor combinations. You do need to let it infuse for a few hours before the water will have the taste of the fruit.

You can also use herbs like mint.

Here is a link that might be useful: Pitcher

I have a ph of 3.5 - cranberry juice is terrible for me. It would be helpful if I needed to acidify my urine, but I have the opposite problem. And that is just the beginning. Water is probably the best - and nothing with artificial sweeteners. I have had this problem life-long from your daughter's age and it does make life miserable. I have a form of urethritis and some gout. I have to really watch purines and oxalic acids and it seems everything has them in it. I would carefully monitor how she does with cranberry - if it worsens her condition you will know soon enough. Hopefully, it won't. If it does, seriously watch the acidic foods. Hope you manage to get it under control. Naturally, I have the most problems at night and have seen urologists etc. I don't like coffee or tea so that helps - but I do like Coca-Cola - I will have some in one of the small bottles - I need something - and due to dietary restraints it doesn't seem to make all that much of a difference.

use gatorade powder, and use only about 1/4 the amount recommended.

I can't stand the sweetness of regular bottled gatorade, besides the fact that I know, there is to much sugar/sweetener

Moni

Fancy straws that wind around also may help get her be interested in drinking. Make drinking pleasurable and fun, and not a challenging and forced event that can turn into a little war.

I would try the water additives, slowly decreasing the amount you put in each bottle a little at a time. Try using a bottle that she likes, one that is not clear/transparent.

Are you giving her BOTTLED water or from the tap? I, for one, cannot drink tapwater, but bottled is fine. I prefer bottles that aren't too chintzy thin, but then I'm weird. I actually prefer what they call a SPORT bottle of water with a push/pull top.

My take on "liquids"...Bodies need water. Not chemicals, sugar, and/or salt suspended in "drinks." They need water. Eight 8-ounce glasses of water a day is the minimum needed for an adult.

I don't even like the idea of "flavored" water. What is in the water to make the "flavor"? More chemicals?

When my 6-year-old nephew came to live with me he was a mess in every way possible. His idea of a drink was "coke" or "kool aid" or "jooce." My idea of a drink was "water." We butted heads from day one. Breakfast included a glass of real juice; lunch and supper included a glass of milk. He could have all he wanted. All meals included water.

I was the adult and I bought the groceries. He had to drink a glass of water at every meal...or no dessert. He loved his desserts and I knew this would get his attention!

After seeing me dump one dessert down the garbage disposal, he had no trouble drinking water. It only took once for him to know I was serious. He had a glass of water before each meal and others throughout the day.

When summer came he would be outside running and playing and biking and skateboarding and not drinking any water. He'd be red as a beat, covered in sweat, and glassy-eyed. I asked him to come in and get some water. "I'm not thirsty, Aunt Carol." So, I had him come in and sit at the table for 10 minutes after every 50 minutes of play. (I used a timer.) His "choices" were to sit at the table for 10 minutes or drink some water. After two sessions of "losing all my playtime!" he learned to come in and drink some water. After a couple weeks of this I would see him run to the back yard hose, turn it on, soak his head...and drink, and drink, and drink. Once his body was use to having water in it, he learned to recognize his thirst.

We were all good after that. I did, on rare occassions - not even once a month - allow him to have a soda as a special treat. I had gatoraide for him the few times he was ill or had a fever. I don't think it did anything for him, but it made him feel special and that's part of getting well.

It breaks my heart to see Moms giving their kids "joooooce" which is nothing but sugar. No wonder so many of the young people are roly-polys now. And sippy cups...I'm going to try to not get started on what I think about them.

I keep a cute little two-year-old two evenings a week. His mom had his backpack loaded with a sippy cup and "jooooce" and "Gummy Treats" and who knows what else. When snack time came I pulled out his "real human" plastic glass, sliced an apple, added peanut butter, and put water in his monkey glass.

He drank the water, smacked the apples, licked off the peanut butter and thoroughly enjoyed his snack. One night "mom" came home early and spied him sitting at the table drinking water from his glass. She was almost in shock. "He won't drink water." He does here. He even asks for it. "He won't eat at the table." That's the only place we eat in my house.

The most loving thing you can do for your precious daughter is to guide her eating and drinking habits now. You know her. You know what will motivated her. Set the example and make it fun if you can but don't give in. She'll thank you later.

And the 6-year-old that I had to fight tooth and nail for a couple of weeks to get him off "other liquids?" He's a hunking 25-year-old who, to this day still drinks lots of water every day. He laughed when we were discussing his lost dessert. I told him I'll make him a double dessert when I see him again. He asked if that meant he should drink two glasses of water with dinner! LOL

I know you're trying to keep her well hydrated, but have you thought about probiotics? Will she eat "real" yogurt? The stuff that is thickened with gelatin is not it.

If artificial sweetners are a problem than this idea is out but my dd's and I enjoy (2 packs = 4 liter) Crystal light lemonade with two or three squeezed lemons. The lemons give it an extra tang.

We drink water, tea, milk for meals.

I have a problem with Bladder Infection too. When I am getting a cold I know it right away because water has a horrible taste to me. MY daughter is the same way. I have found out that if I eat too much chocolate I get it sometimes. Another home cures that I know about is cornsilk tea. You can buy the cornsilk at health food stores. I remember going into someones cornfield to get some silks one time when I had it so bad. I drink mine unsweetened though. I think just the slice of lemon in the water might work though. I just said to my boss how I hate the taste of water when I'm sick and she suggested that. I do drink it sometimes but I never even thought of doing it. Usually after I have a cold I end up with BI because I dont drink enough water

I see someone mentioned using a straw. What about a crazy straw?That should be fun.

Caroline, while drinking enough water is a good goal, the eight glasses of water thing is a myth. If you do a Google search you will find any number of medical sites which confirm this. Drinking too much water can actually kill you- Google "water intoxication". Children are particularly susceptible as they have smaller body mass. So, yes, drink plenty of water but don't overdo it or force people to drink who don't want to.

Make a drink fun with the cute straws someone mentioned, and make ice cubes with a frozen fruit in them.

Caroline, you rock!

Will she eat jello? Jello is mostly water. My GD wouldn't drink much water, so I kept jello,made up. There are 2 cups of water to a box of jello. Every little bit helps

Dd isn't allowed to drink junk drinks on a regular or even a daily basis. Flavored drinks with sweeteners were something I allowed because she needed the liquid. I honestly think straight water tastes strange to her right now. She gets her water from the filtered water in the refrigerator. It has a good taste and tastes better than bottled water.

My doctor told me that a person should drink half their body weight in ounces during a day. That means a 120 pound person should drink 60 ounces of water daily. I'm sure there are exceptions to that.

I forgot about the jello. May try that tomorrow.

I could never drink that much water. Anyway, I was just thinking-how about letting her pick a color for each glass of water she drinks? Use 1-2 drops of food coloring. No sugar, no weird additives. I would bet she drinks lots of water then. Imagine the fun mixing the color recipes on the back of the dye kit!

I'm surprised that no one has mentioned sparkling water. I'm not an expert on bladder infections, but I prefer sparkling water to still water for quenching my thirst. Now I've taught my 7 yr old grandson to add a wedge or two of lemon to flavor it.
We started this game because his parents wouldn't allow sodas (although they drink them all the time) but would allow lemonade. I think that's way too much sugar. So we began by diluting the lemonade with sparkling water. Now he'll ask for sparkling with a lemon, no sugar needed.
FYI Capri Sun makes flavored waters that are infused, but unsweetened. She might like those as an option as well.

Unfortunately, I'm not a big "plain water" drinker as I prefer flavor. What I do is mix up a half gallon of crystal light (or any low sugar bottled juice). Fill a glass with 1/3 of the juice to 2/3 thirds flavored seltzer. I use any kind of flavored seltzer and make my own tastes. I find I drink so much more water this way. If I don't use seltzer water, I just dilute the juice a lot and add some fresh lemon or lime. Good stuff.