Wet your whistle

Normal baby/toddler:  If you present a bottle or cup & the child is hungry, he/she will open mouth and drink most of it.   Julia:  She's fussy because she's hungry.  However, she doesn't realize she's hungry.  So you have to sit with her for 15-30 minutes and "convince" her she's hungry.  If she only ate 12 oz the previous day and hasn't eaten liquids in 10 hours, you know she's hungry.  The cranky mood is further evidence that she's hungry.   When the in-laws are staying with you, it feels like every move is scrutinized.  Then as you work on cajoling Julia to eat (while having an audience), you get the "helpful" advice.  Such as, "She only wants to wet her whistle."   I am so sick of hearing about wetting her whistle.  The term has been bestowed on Julia when she takes a sip of bottle and turns away.  While they were home with her yesterday, she did not take fluids at all until 2:30pm.  They don't push the bottle like S and me.  It's been a year, so we're more used to cajoling her.  The common theory is that kids will drink when they're thirsty.  Yes, if Julia gets very dehydrated, she will drink.  We wouldn't like her to get that thirsty before she drinks.    So, anyway, this morning I'm trying to give her a bottle before daycare with the audience who gives advice.  I'm about ready to snap when they keep saying, "She just wants to wet her whistle.  She's not hungry yet."   Finally she starts drinking.  Victory!  I try not to give them a smug look as she downs 4 oz.  Yes, it took 20 minutes of cajoling, but she finally ate.  Her belly was full before daycare, which improves her mood/disposition immensely and puts me at ease because daycare isn't always great about giving her a bottle.  They don't have the time to cajole her for 20 minutes either - I understand that.  However, it seems if she starts off the day with liquids, she has a better day all around.    The theory from the swallow study is that Julia needs thickener in all of her liquids.  Her swallow is uncoordinated, and perhaps a thicker consistency will help her swallow correctly.  We tried thickening by using cereal several months ago, and it was awful.  She didn't seem to like it at all.  I found a pharmacy that carries Simply Thick, the product that was recommended.  I was going to get a week's supply and see if it helps.  I'm tired of getting so hopeful that a product will be a "cure all."  Before I buy a case of it, I'll see how it works.  If she seems to feel better and eat more, then we'll continue with it.