Keeping toddlers hydrated

[anjii]

It's finally getting hot and summery here, and I just want to make sure Wyatt stays fully hydrated...

He nurses 2 or more times per day, plus some nursing sessions (some mini, some full) during the night. I know that BM is the best source of hydration, but I'm trying to wean down (gradually) to just once a day, so I don't want to add extra sessions right now.

So, for extra hydration, (and nutrition) he drinks cows milk in his sippy's throughout the day. And he LOVES it! I don't give him juice. So, is the cow's milk enough hydration, or does he need plain old water too? I hardly ever drink anything but milk myself, and I know I'm not dehydrated, and I've heard that any fluid counts as water, as long as it doesn't have caffeine, carbonation or added sugars. Is this true?

I know that it couldn't "hurt" to add water to his day, but I'd rather add milk, because he's so tiny (20 lbs at 16 months) and he doesn't always eat well, so I don't want him to fill up on water when he could be getting calories and protein from milk instead...

[funkygranolamama]

I don't know how other mamas do it---but I only count water as water. My son is 21 months and still only consumes breastmilk and water and every once in awhile (like, maybe 5 times in all) I have given him an ounce of juice with about 6 oz water. I try to make sure he drinks his water and eats his calories. He only gets cows milk if a relative sneaks him some. I don't see the point in giving him any cows milk when I've got a superior form right on me, ready to go. There are far better sources of calcium than cow's milk....... I've gone off topic, sorry......so my answer is.....water

[anjii]