**Please arrange a pediatric assessment today because of the excessive thirst and very limited eating.** Unusual thirst can be a sign of diabetes, particularly with frequent urination, very wet diapers, tiredness, or weight loss. A clinician can check his blood glucose and urine. Avoid restricting his water while awaiting assessment. [NHS guidance](https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/type-1-diabetes/symptoms/)

**Seek emergency care now** if the thirst is accompanied by repeated vomiting, abdominal pain, fast or deep breathing, or unusual sleepiness. These can signal a serious diabetes complication. [NHS guidance](https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/type-1-diabetes/symptoms/)

**Stop putting food into his mouth by force, including the first bite.** Pressure can worsen food refusal, and feeding while he is crying or resisting can be unsafe. Gagging is a distress signal; it does not establish that he is deliberately trying to vomit.

Persistent refusal and gagging deserve a feeding assessment. Ask his pediatrician to review his growth and nutrition and consider referral to a pediatric feeding specialist, such as a speech-language therapist trained in feeding and swallowing. Feeding therapy can help with chewing, texture tolerance, and comfortable eating. [ASHA guidance](https://www.asha.org/public/early-identification-of-speech-language-and-hearing-disorders)

Meanwhile, try these steps:

- Offer three small meals and two planned snacks at predictable times. Eat together and let him feed himself while seated upright.
- Offer tiny portions of soft, safely prepared foods, including something he has previously accepted. Let him touch or taste them at his own pace.
- You choose what and when to offer; he chooses whether and how much to eat. End the meal calmly when he becomes distressed.
- Measure his milk intake. Large amounts can reduce appetite. General toddler guidance limits milk to about **16–24 ounces (475–710 mL) daily**, but because he currently eats so little, agree on a nutrition plan before substantially reducing his main calorie source. [American Academy of Pediatrics guidance](https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/toddler/nutrition/Pages/your-toddler-only-wants-milk-how-to-ease-milk-dependency-and-encourage-a-healthy-diet.aspx)

For the bottle attachment, start practicing with a straw or open cup during the day. Gradually move the evening milk earlier, then follow it with toothbrushing, a story, and cuddles. Use that predictable routine to help him settle. Milk bottles during sleep increase tooth-decay risk. Coordinate bottle removal with his clinician so he continues getting adequate nutrition. [AAP bottle-transition guidance](https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/baby/feeding-nutrition/Pages/Discontinuing-the-Bottle.aspx)

Approximately how much milk and water does he drink in 24 hours, how long has this been happening, and is he urinating more or losing weight? These details will help the clinician; please seek assessment while gathering them.