Should I give water to my baby?

Olivia - posted on 07/04/2012

Why not?

Sally - posted on 06/30/2012

If you're nursing on demand and aren't dehydrated yourself, she'll get plenty of fluid from your milk. If she wants to try it, a little water won't hurt her, but it won't be nearly as good for her as your milk would be.

Niki - posted on 06/28/2012

My baby is 5 months and would cry all the time. I could not figure out what was wrong. I started to give him a couple sips of water when he was inconsolable and it worked. I think he just got thirsty in between bottles. it is June and very hot. I get thirsty when we are outside so I'm sure he was too. He has been a complete different baby and so happy.

Arrin - posted on 04/17/2010

i give my ethan water after he eats hs cerial or cookies..and between meals some times i put alittle bit of apple jucse in it when i give it to him... it keeps im full and happy to sip on

Tammie - posted on 03/18/2010

i highly suggest it. my boy is bottle feed because i lost my milk early. she wants to mimic you. thats why she wants water. babies learn by mimicing thats why they do what you do and want to eat what you eat. in between feeds its good specially for bottle fed babies as they can become consitpated. but water can never hurt just makes sure its not close to feed times as they can become full and not want food.

Tammy - posted on 03/13/2010

My baby is a little over 5 months and already learning how to use a cup. She prefers the breast and will drink from a cup before she will a bottle. I share my water with her all the time. She never drinks so much as to keep her from nursing. My dad gives her some water ever now and then too. She really loves it.

Robyn - posted on 03/13/2010

I give Fletcher cooled boiled water only when he has hiccups as he gets them quite often still, don't substitute water for milk. Its ok to give bubs some water, but its not really necessary!

Stephanie - posted on 03/12/2010

you can let them drink small amounts of nursery water.. or really watered down juice.. i've even introduced my son to his first sippy cup..

Jennifer - posted on 03/12/2010

Jessica, your son is on formula so the rules are different but thanks for the info about too much water.

Jessica - posted on 03/11/2010

i asked my sons pediatrician this question because my son eats a lot. At 4 months he's already at 8 ounces. Well the ped said its ok to give the baby 4oz a day of water...too much water in babies under one years old can wipe out the babies sodium level which can have the baby catch seizures.

Jamie - posted on 03/10/2010

my baby is almost 5 months old when we took her to her first doctor appointment at 2 weeks my mom asked about the water thing. he told us that water would not hurt her people use to give it to their babies all the time in the south since we have such hot summers and if you are giving your baby formula then its made up of more water than anything. but if your too worried about giving water to your baby then dont give them any its really up to you if it makes you feel better you can always ask your doctor they can tell you what they think is best

Jessica - posted on 03/10/2010

I have 2 children & I started my oldest one out around 4-5 months giving him juice & water (occassionally) it WONT hurt AT ALL....I just recently took my youngest who is nearly 5 months old to the dr & my DR told me to start him on fruits & vegie baby food, juice, & water.... I went to my sons nutrition nurse & she said the same thing as well!

Jessica - posted on 03/08/2010

My doctor told me it is fine to give my little girl 1-2 ounces of water a day. I only give it to her once a week maybe or on REALLY hot days.

Carrie - posted on 03/08/2010

yea, it is fine for you to give your baby water. I started given my daughter water at six weeks.

Becca - posted on 03/08/2010

What about if my baby is formula fed? I stopped breastfeeding a month ago because I did not have enough milk. She also gets constipated quite often, so would a few ounces of water help?

Tricia - posted on 03/08/2010

As I live in Florida, I will be bringing a couple of ounces with me when I go out to meet friends at the park, zoo, etc. :)

Eden - posted on 03/06/2010

midwives have told me it is fine to give a baby water but only in small amounts as breast milk is mainly water. i give my 4 month old chamomile tea (weak and boiled, then cooled down) to help her relax... i have been told by many that is fine!

Eva-Lotta - posted on 03/06/2010

My girl is 4.5 months now and on hot days especially I give her cold, weak chamomille tea. I boil the water and just dip a chamomille tea bag - it is important to boil the water to get rid of some bacterias that may be in our normal tap water, the chamomille have a soothing effect on her tummy. It was advise from my grandmother and I find it fantastic! Some days my girl wants the boob all the time and I don't get a break and it isn't always that she is hungry, just thirsty so it has worked wonders for us!

Jessica - posted on 03/06/2010

i've got to say, i haven't had any previous advice either way, but i am a biologist and i really wish to question the comments about water being 'poisonous' or their kidneys not being able to handle it... no scientific basis for this. Their kidneys already are working (wet nappies?) there is water in your breastmilk anyway. And water is about the most non-poisonous thing there is.

Jennifer - posted on 03/05/2010

I didn't give water to my ds until well after he was six months old and he loves water. Most breast fed babies have very watery stools already as it is.

Erica - posted on 03/05/2010

I give little sips of water to my son. His doctor said that its okay to do so. And I believe it also helps keep their bowels regular and helps for when they get older and you want them to drink water. It kind of teaches them to like it early.

Heather - posted on 03/05/2010

They say no water until 7 or 9 months cause it still poisoning to babies before then

Jennifer - posted on 03/04/2010

I think the recommendation for water comes from formula fed babies, who tend to be most of the patients pediatricians see.
You could try something someone else I know online does -- a breastmilk slushie. She manually expresses a small amount of breast milk, freezes it in a custard dish, and then spoon feeds it to her baby.. Just at meal time, just for fun.
See:
http://www.storknet.com/guests/anne11.ht...
http://rehydrate.org/breastfeed/faq-excl...
http://www.babycenter.com.au/baby/breast...

Gail - posted on 03/03/2010

I just had this conversation with my son's doctor today!! She said that I could start giving him about 2 oz of a day. He is 4 1/2 months old.

Erin - posted on 03/03/2010

my doctor said babies can have about an ounce or so a day and that it is fine.. my baby absolutely loves water when i give it to him..

Marlo - posted on 03/03/2010

No. Your baby is naturally curious about what you are doing. It is normal that she is showing interest in drinking or eating. She my follow your spoon or fork to your mouth when you eat as well. The best thing for your baby is your breastmilk. Water while good for us, is not as nutritionally dense as breastmilk and may artificially "fill" your baby's stomach. Keep doing what you are doing!

Danielle - posted on 03/02/2010

I was told I could give my baby a little cooled boiled water in between feeds especially if a hot day..I have only done this a couple of times but no problem at all

Katie - posted on 03/02/2010

i dont give my baby girl water unless i think she may be a little constipated. i think it would be fine to do it and i wouldnt worry if you already have or do but i personally dont. i only breastfeed and their is enough water in the milk to keep her from getting thirsty!

Allison - posted on 03/02/2010

Absolutely NO. Don't give your baby water, breastmilk is the best thing for them, wait until solids if you have to, if she's thirsty put her back on the boob. I don't agree with water at this age at all and neither does the La Leche League book.

Susan - posted on 03/02/2010

Water is good to due them over before feeding time. It won't hurt to give her water at all.

Jennifer - posted on 03/01/2010

Yes. I think you should. Not all the time, of course. I give my little girl some water every now and then. They get thirsty just like we do!

Jennifer - posted on 03/01/2010

She's just wanting to imitate you. Your breast milk contains all the water she needs (it even gets more watery in hot weather to compensate for increased sweating -- it's pretty much a miracle). You could pump a bit and give her some of your milk in an open cup but be prepared for some of it to spill.

Amy - posted on 03/01/2010

You shouldn't need to if she's exclusivly breastfed. She's probably just coping you rather than being thirsty?.. But as long as you give her cooled boiled water it's safe and will do no harm.



Be warned, when i first gave my little one water she was so unimpressed, threw a right tantrum! Just not as yummy as breastmilk obviously!

Erin - posted on 03/01/2010

this is normal, she is mimiking your movements, giving water to a baby at this age could damage her kidneys, their body isnt ready for something like that, the organs are not ready to excepts water yet, around 6 to 8 months would be good to intorduce jucies and then water if so... but water right now is not a good thing to give..

Yamaira - posted on 03/01/2010

Thank you!

Koren - posted on 02/28/2010

My baby is really interested in watching me drink, but we were told not to give her water or juice until after 6 months and we start cup training. Your breastmilk is mostly water so she gets all she needs from you right now. Remember, if you are giving her anything else besides breastmilk that could fill her up, it can affect your supply. I recommend waiting a little longer and trying it when she is developmentally ready to start using a cuppy or sippy.

Katey - posted on 02/27/2010

Hey Yamaira!
Actually i had that question with my Dr. this week as my little Brady had been sick all weak and wouldn't take the electrolytes. To rehydrate them she said it's absolutely fine and it can be regular water at this point too. I gave Brady his in a sippy cup....so adorable but this way here the bottle remains for breast milk only at this point. Hope this helps.

Tamara - posted on 02/27/2010

It is fine to give your baby a little bit of water (cool boiled water is best) as it keeps them hydrated. I sometimes give my LO a small amount of water in a cup and he laps it up, while enjoying munching on the cup and spilling the water down his front (which keeps him cool in Australias summer heat). Though your baby is perfectly hydrated on just your breastmilk.