Do you mommies give your newborns water bottles?

Simone - posted on 10/12/2009

I do not and have been asked if I do when going for her checkups, the doctor told me all she needs is my breastmilk and not to give her anything else to drink.

Stacey - posted on 10/12/2009

I haven't, breastmilk and the occasional formula is all she's had

Iysha - posted on 10/12/2009

My friend's mom told her to give her son water too. My friend asked the pediatrition and the pediatrition told her that too much water is bad for infants. It can lead to seizures and death due to over hydration. You should NEVER put anything but breastmilk or formula in your baby's bottle unless instructed to do so by your daughter's pediatrition! To wash out your daughter's mouth just use a damp washcloth to rub her gums. No Extra Water!! If your mom persists, have her go with you to the doctor's office and ask your baby's pediatrition so she can hear it straight from the doctors mouth!



Any water at all should only be given for constipation(hard to poop AND pallet like poops) after a cirtain age (2 months I believe). I saw that some people say they give their babies water because they are "thirsty"...I'm sorry if I offend anyone but may I ask, How do yo know when your baby is thirsty?? As for Hiccups, it is caused by irritation to the Trachea. So it can be that your baby ate too fast or too much. So, water isn't necessary. Hiccups don't bother babies like they do adults so it isn't anything to worry about.

Carrie - posted on 10/12/2009

you don't want to give them water til they start eating solids (experts say 6mos) otherwise it will fill them up and they won't get the nutrients as from the breast milk or formula if you want to wash out their mouth use a wet wash cloth or wipe it with your finger or an infant tooth brush

Trisha - posted on 10/12/2009

I haven't and don't see why you would need to. I breast feed exclusively so know nothing about formula decaying babies gums but dont see thirst as a reason to give water instead of a feed.

Kelcie - posted on 10/11/2009

i have been giving my daughter water for awhile now she really just enjoys something a little extra than my breast milk or a quick formula bottle if im out... I see nothing wrong with it you just might be changing a few extra diapers lol

Angela - posted on 10/11/2009

i do because my son gets thirsty

Charlene - posted on 10/10/2009

I'm actually quite surprised that out of all the posts that talk about giving water for hiccoughs, the only mention of Gripe was in the last post. My daughter gets the hiccoughs a lot, so I just give her 5ml of Gripe in her Medi-soother and they are gone instantly. It's also very good for gas pains and other tummy upsets. I really am uncomfortable with giving water to an infant so I never have, nor will I ever do so.

Tia - posted on 10/10/2009

I don't really give my son water but I have before. He gets the hiccups a few times a day but usually for that I give gripe water. He won't really drink water unless it has a little sugar in it :-/ I know they say that they don't need it but my momma said they use to def give it to babies back in the day ( but you know they are always coming out with something new & different)....something my mom said that made since though..."even plants need water"

Jennifer - posted on 10/10/2009

Babies do not need water. If your baby is thirsty, give milk (formula/breast milk). She needs nutritious as well as hydration. :)

Terria - posted on 10/09/2009

Yes I do give my little one water, because he was getting strangled while he was eating on it was from his formula/breast milk. So I started maybe twice a day giving him maybe an ounce just enough to wash our his mouth, and after that he seems to be doing alot better

Sarah - posted on 10/09/2009

Every once in a while, I give my baby about an ouce of water. It's simply just to get him used to the taste (or lack of). It doesn't really wash their mouths out because most of the time it goes directly to the back of their mouth and their throat.

As for cleaning......... I wipe his mouth out with a damp cloth after every feeding. Then he grabs the damp cloth and chews on it. :-)

Kristina - posted on 10/08/2009

and she usually just sips it :)

Kristina - posted on 10/08/2009

definitely. sometimes she will want to suck on something not too long after she's had a good feeding, and she's not a huge fan of the pacifier, so instead of overfeeding her, i give her a little bit of water. she loves it, and, like your mom said, it washes out any extra formula hanging out in there :) plus, i also heard that having a bottle of warm water handy during a feeding with a baby who's difficult to burp will help get it out. :)

Frenika - posted on 09/11/2009

I just started giving my son water a few days ago and he is 2 days shy of 2 months. I only give him 1oz when he is extremely thirsty. The most I give him is 2oz a day. I may start giving him more as he gets older.

Tamalyn - posted on 09/11/2009

My midwife, health visitor and doctor all said 1 or 2 oz of water is fine and will help bottle fed babies if they are constipated.

Courtney - posted on 09/10/2009

oh and my sister in law and my mom and everyone used to feed there baby a full bottle of water everyday for months, and started their babys on 2 % milk at 2 months old , so doctors are over worried now, i think we could be careful but also not so much that you worry non stop

Courtney - posted on 09/10/2009

i was told a wet wash cloth , let them suck on the end...havent tried it though, i know water is bad for them so early though like in a bottle

Tracy - posted on 09/09/2009

I don't even understand why anybody would think that it was needed?! If you baby appears or is acting dehydrated aka hungry them feed them! If the baby has build up of food in its mouth and you are feeding your baby formula then you should consider making it a little bit thinner next time. If you are breastfeeding then the baby will eventually swallow it when sucking on a paci or at the next feeding. Also, sometimes it takes awhile for the baby digest all the food he or she takes so give them a chance to get rid of it themselves. Regarding the "gum decay" I'm not sure where that came from your babies saliva should naturally in time take care of any access anything in the mouth.

Susanna - posted on 09/09/2009

hi! if ur breastfeeding u shudnt need to give water unless bubs is constipated. they shud have it if formula fed though to help with hydration and digestion.

xx

Alexandria - posted on 09/09/2009

I guess so many people go their own opinions...my kids pediatrician said 1 oz is okay as long as it isn't everyday...like i said to the other young lady. I cleanse her mouth out with water at night so the formula doesn't cause her gums to decay but i barely use 1/2 oz for that...

Alexandria - posted on 09/09/2009

u are right...but it's okay to give them a little bit...the formula could decay their gums. At the most 2 oz..is okay..but at night before bed i just give her half an ounce to cleanse her gums

Gina - posted on 09/09/2009

This is from a website called www.babycenter.com
Hope this info helps!!


When can my baby drink water?


Expert Answers

Stephen R. Daniels, pediatrician
In general, it's not a good idea to give your baby water until he's about 6 months old. Until then, he'll get all the hydration he needs from breast milk or formula, even in hot weather.
Giving a baby younger than 6 months old too much water can interfere with his body's ability to absorb the nutrients in breast milk or formula. It can also cause his tummy to feel full, which curbs his desire to feed. (While small sips of water probably won't hurt your baby, it's best to check with his doctor beforehand during those first six months.)
In rare cases, a baby who drinks too much water can develop a condition known as water intoxication, which can cause seizures and even a coma. Water intoxication happens when too much water dilutes the concentration of sodium in the body, upsetting the electrolyte balance and causing tissues to swell.
Adding too much water to your baby's formula not only risks water intoxication, it means that your baby is taking in fewer nutrients than he needs. Carefully follow the package directions for mixing powdered or concentrated formula and don't try to stretch formula by using more than the recommended amount of water.
In some instances – if your baby has gastroenteritis, for example – the doctor might advise you to give him an electrolyte drink like Pedialyte or Infalyte to help prevent dehydration.
Once your baby is 6 months old, it's okay to give him sips of water when he's thirsty. You still don't want to overdo it, though, or you might give him a tummy ache or make him too full to eat well. After his first birthday, when your baby's eating solids and drinking whole milk, you can let him drink as much water as he likes.
Read more about what kind of water to use for formula.

Christine - posted on 09/09/2009

We don't give our son water. In his first 5 weeks has he traveled a bit across state with extreme temperature changes. We also use the formula for his thirst. He may eat more frequently with less amounts, but that okay - as adults we tend to do that in heat anyway.

Alexandria - posted on 09/08/2009

I do...my Bre'Ana will be 2 months in 2 days. I do it because the formula could decay a baby's mouth. and I do it too for the hickups

Amber - posted on 09/07/2009

i do, i give mine water with a little sugar in it when his tummy is upset. and sometimes i give him water with a little karo corn syrup in it if he gets constipated. sometimes moms advice is better than the doctors.

Iysha - posted on 09/07/2009

NO! giving babies too much water can lead to serious problems like over hydration and seizures, both can be fatal. To wash out a babies mouth, you should just use a damp wash cloth.

Anastasia - posted on 09/07/2009

alot of ppl have asked me do i give my daughter water and my answer is NO, the dr. sadi she doesn't need it b/c there's no nutrients in it...i've considered it but i just can't do it....and as far as milk build up on the tongue...i just get on of her washcloths and wet it over my pinkie finger and wipe the milk off her tongue...

Christina - posted on 08/16/2009

ONLY if my daughter has the hiccups after eating a bottle, and then just until the hiccups go away. Otherwise I don't think they need water, they get plenty from the formula or if you're breastfeeding that milk.

Kianna - posted on 08/15/2009

No...I asked a nurse if this was ok, she told me if you do baby will lose their electrolytes. Everything they need is in formula or breastmilk.

Nicky - posted on 08/15/2009

My baby was having problems with constipation when he gets formula. I asked my pediatrician what I could do about it. She said that it is perfectly fine to give 1 to 2 oz of water a day every day.

Veni - posted on 08/14/2009

yea i do. and he loves it

Krystal - posted on 08/14/2009

I was told that babies do not need water. Babies need calories when they are drinking, which water obviously does not provide. A good way to keep their mouths clean is to just get some gauze or a washcloth and wipe the inside of their mouth a few times a day. That will encourage healthy gums and will also get your baby used to it so brushing isn't a fight later on.

Shawna - posted on 08/12/2009

The nurse said babies dont need water.. but she didn't say why.. I'd say call your obgyn or the hospital you had your baby at and ask cos some of the things old moms say are outdated and not so good

Eden - posted on 08/12/2009

Yes, not much though... My baby is tiny and I dont want it to affect her eating. But the milk sitting in her mouth isnt good.

Delphine - posted on 08/11/2009

I have not too often though... only when he seems thirsty but not want to drink a whole 2-4 ozs. It doesn't hurt! :)

Lisa - posted on 08/11/2009

i always heard it's not a good idea to give newborns water. After I read some of the replies i was surprised that so many moms do. i then looked it up on babycenter.com and this is what i found....Also, Chrisine David - Thrush is not caused by milk, it's a yeast build up in the mouth, and water is not the right way to treat it. You need to get treated with antibiotics through your doc.

Should I give my newborn water or sugar water?


Expert Answers
Stephen R. Daniels, pediatrician

No. You shouldn't give your newborn water or sugar water. And if you're feeding her powdered or concentrated formula, never dilute it with more than the amount of water called for on the label.

Your infant will get all the hydration she needs from breast milk or formula. Even when a mother's milk supply is just coming in during the first few days after delivery, the baby is getting colostrum, which is enough to keep her well hydrated.

Giving water to a young baby can interfere with her body's ability to absorb the nutrients in breast milk or formula and, because it can make her feel full, it may prevent her from feeding as much as she should.

Giving water to an infant can also cause water intoxication, a serious condition that happens when too much water dilutes the concentration of sodium in the body, upsetting the electrolyte balance and causing tissues to swell. It's uncommon but serious, potentially causing seizures and even a coma.

If a young baby needs more hydration – because of a bout of gastroenteritis, for example – her doctor may recommend an electrolyte drink like Pedialyte or Infalyte.

You may have heard of researchers using sugar water to pacify babies during immunizations. While this practice might safely be used during a medical procedure, giving your baby sugar water at home (whether in an effort to pacify her or quench her thirst) isn't a good idea. She doesn't need the water, and the sugar isn't good for her.

Michelle - posted on 08/11/2009

If you are breastfeeding then there is no need to give a new born water, if you are bottle feeding then it is a good idea to offer small amounts of water at intervals throughout the day.

Rebecca - posted on 08/11/2009

i ave givin my little one cooled boiled water it helped flush his system does no harm it really helps when hes constipated too. i find on hot days hes really thirsty water helped him heaps.

Christina - posted on 08/10/2009

yeah i did.. not too much though.. maybe like 2 oz since Nalani is womb fresh.. i hear it helps wit the milk build up on the tongue.. cuz the bottles plus the milk can give the baby thrash on the tongue.. NOT GOOD!! so we wanna give our kids a lil bit of water err day.. ya kno?? :)