When should I give my son water and whole milk?

Kayla - posted on 10/10/2009

My son was having so many troubles with breast milk and formula when he was born. So when I took him to the doctors he said in the middle of the night give him water. He said thats babies need watr just like we do. So with that said I would say water wont hurt, if you want to give your child water now go for it.

Christine - posted on 10/09/2009

I started my son with water at 5 months when he started solids

Kristen - posted on 10/09/2009

Quoting Erica:

Thats strange that a doctor would flip over water. They give it to newborns unless asked not to. And I had a doctor tell me that when my babies get sick, give them sugar water to prevent dehydration. And he has been a good family doctor for years! I have four kids and have been giving them water since they were each a month old. They are alive and very healthy. Oldest is 13 and youngest is nine months.

I thought it was strange too . . . and everyone I've told thinks it's strange. I'm not going to worry about it anymore. I just feel kind of dumb for just believing the doc like that.

Cecile - posted on 10/09/2009

My sons been drinking water for a few months now, and I also gives him milk sometimes, he loves it and I never had any problems with whole milk. I have started whole milk with some meals at about 8months, he drinks it, but then he also wants his breast milk after that! But we have no problems with whole milk.

Erica - posted on 10/08/2009

Thats strange that a doctor would flip over water. They give it to newborns unless asked not to. And I had a doctor tell me that when my babies get sick, give them sugar water to prevent dehydration. And he has been a good family doctor for years! I have four kids and have been giving them water since they were each a month old. They are alive and very healthy. Oldest is 13 and youngest is nine months.

Kristen - posted on 10/08/2009

My doctor is adamant about no water until my daughter is a year old. In fact, we were in the office once, and I had a bottle of water with me to make some formula on the go--and he practically went ballistic on me. He says that their immature kidneys can't handle water. It seemed really, really odd to me. I can give her juice, but not water? I'm thinking that it will be okay to give her some water now. Obviously, you all have been doing it and haven;t had any trouble. Like someone else said, water is a vital part of a healthy life, and it seems odd that I shouldn't give it to my baby.

Erica - posted on 10/07/2009

Well, Id like to say that I have been giving all my kids water since birth. not much at fisrt, but by a few months they get a few ounces. Now at nine months, he drinks water at every meal. I also have him on juices that you can start at about six months. Milk is another story. Whole milk can be started by adding to cereal at about nine months, but may have a slight irritaion to it for a while. Milk really shouldnt be given intil after a year old. Its not natural and can cause health concerns. Try goats milk first, it is easier on their stomachs. I learned thru trial and error with all four of my kids.

Elle - posted on 10/07/2009

I started giving my son water from about 3 weeks, he loves water now. I dont give him juice or anything else. Milk i add to his breakfast which is usually weetbix. I will start him on full milk when he turns one.

Kelli - posted on 10/07/2009

You can introduce water at 6 months. Whole milk at 12 months.

Jenny - posted on 10/05/2009

I've been giving my 8 month old water for a few months now. during the summer it was very hot here so i gave him water not to upset his tummy with the formula we were having issues with him vomiting and getting dehydrated so they wanted him on water

Sarah - posted on 10/05/2009

My 9mth old daughter has been drinking cooled boiled water from about 4mths old. This summer was extreamly hot, so i wanted to be sure her fluid intake was enough to keep her hydrated. Whole milk in the food you cook should be fine.

Christin - posted on 10/05/2009

I started giving water to my son when he started eating table food along with baby food at 6 months...

Elizabeth - posted on 10/05/2009

the Dr. told us at least a year old for whole milk but my daughter who is now 10 was on 2 % milk at 9 months. I asked the dr about my 8 month old and he said we could try him on 2% at 9 months and see how he does but sometimes their system can't handle the milk. I don't know about water. I would think it would be ok now if they are drinking juice.When i give my son juice I put half water and half juice.

Aleesha - posted on 10/05/2009

My boy started having water at about 5 months.. he now has a cup of water at morning and afternoon tea time

Rose - posted on 10/05/2009

You can give whole milk in food, ie cereal from 6 months, but as a drink from 1 year. Water - I dont think there is an age limit on water. Alot of my friends gave water when their babies were new born. I never needed to as I was breastfeeding.

Chere - posted on 10/04/2009

I started giving my daughter water from 3 weeks & she drinks quite a bit during the day - now prefering it in a sippy cup instead of a bottle. Water is a vital part of your fluid intake and my hope is that she will rather drink water than juice.

Airika - posted on 10/04/2009

I give my daughter water in a sippy cup everyday, sometimes I add a little apple juice to it. She's 8 months now but I started giving it to her just water around 5 or 6 months. My daughter didn't like cold water so I would just warm it up like formula and she would drink it.

Fiona - posted on 10/04/2009

I also started water around the time my son started solids. He doesn't drink a great deal but helps him also get used to a cup. Milk shouln't be introduced until 12mths as a drink although from 10mths small amounts can be given with food.

Sherry - posted on 10/03/2009

My ped. told us to start water when we started giving my daughter solids to help with her bowels. She gets 2 or 3 ounces a day in her sippy cup.

Christine - posted on 10/03/2009

my son is eight months and i have started giving him water at 6 months

Barbara - posted on 10/03/2009

I started water when I started rice cereal. It took my son a while before he really took to it but it was aroung 4-5 months....

Jessi - posted on 10/03/2009

My daughter is almost 9 months old and we've been doing small amounts of water for several months... I think I started giving my daughter a little bit of water (an ounce at a time) in a sippy cup at around 6 months... we also only do a little bit of juice during the day at this point (maybe an ounce or two)... and typically I reserve the juice for the times that my daughters bowel movements seem like they are getting a little too firm... seems to help...

Jessi - posted on 10/03/2009

My daughter is almost 9 months old and we've been doing small amounts of water for several months... I think I started giving my daughter a little bit of water (an ounce at a time) in a sippy cup at around 6 months... we also only do a little bit of juice during the day at this point (maybe an ounce or two)... and typically I reserve the juice for the times that my daughters bowel movements seem like they are getting a little too firm... seems to help...