Helpful tips on getting baby to drink water?

Sabrina - posted on 04/20/2010

I don't know where your WIC class gets their information but there is no way a baby is supposed to drink that much water. Here is an article from Babycenter.com that might help you out.

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.

Hope this helps you.

Jacey - posted on 04/20/2010

ehh wic is too stricked sometimes! i dont listen to them because sometimes they're just silly about stuff. my son loves drinking out of a water bottle, he's almost got the hang of a sippy with some juice but he loves water so much, mostly he spits a lot out but he gets a couple ounces in a day and my pedi said thats good.

Amy - posted on 04/11/2010

16 oz of water sounds like alot...from what i have read and what my pedi has told me babies shouldnt have too much water, throws off their balance and they could go into shock. i would ask your daughter's pedi about this, it just sounds like alot of water for a little baby. our daughter is 9 months and she has had water only a few times, she doesnt even really like the juices all that much either.

Kate - posted on 04/11/2010

l thought formula/breast milk counts as 'water'. l think by water they mean liquid. Babies don't need actual water. My son drank it in the summer when he was hot and thirsty. Then it's a good thing. l go to WIC, too. They haven't said anything about water consumption for my 3 year old nor for my now 8 month old twins. Unless she drinks milk constantly, more than she really needs. ln which case she would be drinking so much she's not eating. The more l think about it, the more l'm confused. Does she eat a 'proper' amount of food, or does she only want to drink milk/formula all the time? ls there some concern over her being too overweight? Unless she's really huge, which l don't think she is, my ped. say a baby can't be too fat. But this is just what l know, or think l know. My twins haven't had a drop of water except for a mouthful, which they spit out immed., occasionally from my glass. Just keep offering the sippy cup. ls it a free-flowing cup? My twins have no idea how to suck a sippy cup. After 2 months they are just about able to drink from the free-flowing cup without letting it all run out of their mouths. Hope this helps some.