Do we need to feed baby water?
- Thread starter vivianhui
- Start date
I also read everywhere that it's not necessary to give any water at this stage. They say your milk will provide the baby with enough hydration. But my sister's new-born developed a severe colic (tummy ache due to gas) at the beginning, so her doc in Switzerland recommended her to give him fennel tea. Ever since, he kind of got used to it and he drinks it on a regular basis, although his colic is gone.
Are you breastfeeding?
If so, then there is no need to give extra water to your baby. Indeed it can cause lots of problems because the baby will fill up on water and is likely not to want enough milk, which in turn means less breastfeeding with the result that it can affect you milk supply.
Dr. Sears discusses this on his web site,
Does my breastfeeding baby need bottles of water?
http://www.askdrsears.com/html/2/T023000.asp
Breast milk is itself mostly water and in hot weather, babies tend to go to the breast more often, for short feeds. (Usually lots of short feeds help babies with colic too.)
Best wishes,
SARAH
If so, then there is no need to give extra water to your baby. Indeed it can cause lots of problems because the baby will fill up on water and is likely not to want enough milk, which in turn means less breastfeeding with the result that it can affect you milk supply.
Dr. Sears discusses this on his web site,
Does my breastfeeding baby need bottles of water?
http://www.askdrsears.com/html/2/T023000.asp
Breast milk is itself mostly water and in hot weather, babies tend to go to the breast more often, for short feeds. (Usually lots of short feeds help babies with colic too.)
Best wishes,
SARAH
If you are breastfeeding your baby you do not need to give them water.
The idea of giving babies water was introduced for formula fed babies. There have been cases where mothers, with the best intentions or unknowingly, have put too much of the powder in the bottle, for example by not scrapping the excess formula from the top of the spoon. This led to their babies becoming seriously ill. Therefore it was suggested as a blanket measure that babies should be given water to make sure that should any mothers put too much formula in the bottle, then it would be diluted by the extra water. This was then taken to mean for all babies, but it is not the case for breastfed babies. The milk that comes from you will quench their thirst and feed them at the same time.
With my three I have introduced a sippy cup at around ten months, just for them to play with and get used to drinking from. As far as I know, breastfed babies who are fed on demand, don't really need any additional water until they are about a year old.
I hope that helps.
The idea of giving babies water was introduced for formula fed babies. There have been cases where mothers, with the best intentions or unknowingly, have put too much of the powder in the bottle, for example by not scrapping the excess formula from the top of the spoon. This led to their babies becoming seriously ill. Therefore it was suggested as a blanket measure that babies should be given water to make sure that should any mothers put too much formula in the bottle, then it would be diluted by the extra water. This was then taken to mean for all babies, but it is not the case for breastfed babies. The milk that comes from you will quench their thirst and feed them at the same time.
With my three I have introduced a sippy cup at around ten months, just for them to play with and get used to drinking from. As far as I know, breastfed babies who are fed on demand, don't really need any additional water until they are about a year old.
I hope that helps.
I think it's quite normal to start a bit of water once solids are established and can help especially if constipation becomes a problem. I did introduce a little water soon after starting solids.
Of course, water is not necessary for breastfed babies before then.
Our bb is formula fed. We started giving him water since he's around 3 months. The pd we go to is very pro-water. He said water is good to our body and since formula is more 'heated' than breastmilk it is important to give the baby some water after each feed and between feeds (but never right before his milk as might fill up his tummy). Our little one loves having some water after his bath and before going to bed too!
Hi,
If you are breastfeeding then there is absolutely no need to give extra water. Mother's milk has 88% water content in it.
Untill your baby turns up 6 months old, don't give me anything else other than your milk.
I have not given anything expect breastfeed to my baby untill he turns up 6 months and there's absolutely no problem at all.
I suggest you to completely trust your doctor. He must have examined your baby and since your child is growing normally and healthy, he will not recommend you to give any other feeds, even water.
Let your child grow naturally and feed your baby with your milk exclusively. Untill unless you are short of milk. If your milk level gets down then try the stuff to increase it rather than introducing any other feeds.
I hope above suggestions will help you.
Regards,
Sunayana
If you are breastfeeding then there is absolutely no need to give extra water. Mother's milk has 88% water content in it.
Untill your baby turns up 6 months old, don't give me anything else other than your milk.
I have not given anything expect breastfeed to my baby untill he turns up 6 months and there's absolutely no problem at all.
I suggest you to completely trust your doctor. He must have examined your baby and since your child is growing normally and healthy, he will not recommend you to give any other feeds, even water.
Let your child grow naturally and feed your baby with your milk exclusively. Untill unless you are short of milk. If your milk level gets down then try the stuff to increase it rather than introducing any other feeds.
I hope above suggestions will help you.
Regards,
Sunayana