six month old gags on water, why?

Rebekah - posted on 01/09/2013

Because it comes out too fast - try a teat with a smaller outlet - my daughter was spilling heaps of milk and I figured out it was because the teet needed replacing - she didn't spill at all after that - it might just be letting it out too fast for him to swallow - then they choke on it. :) hope this helps..

Rebecca - posted on 12/11/2012

If she doesn't like it don't give it to her. At this point she doesn't need extra water. I think it's a year old before you have to start introducing water. That's when they're supposed to start drinking whole milk a d some water. Hope this helps.

Jessica - posted on 12/11/2012

the water is probally too thin compared to breastmilk or formula so it comes out faster and he doesnt know to not suck as hard.. or try it from a +0 months nipple??

Nikki - posted on 12/09/2012

My doctor said don't give them water because it fills them up and they won't want as much of the breast milk. It causes them to miss put on the best nutrients.

Jean - posted on 12/09/2012

Have you spoken to your pediatrician? I have exclusively breastfed all my children but I believe the advice is the same for formula fed babies. To my knowledge you are not supposed to give babies that young water yet. They are just starting solid foods and you'll over hydrate them if you give them water. They get the hydration they need from their formula or breast milk. I started offering water in sippy cups around 10 months or so, it depended on how much and how often they were still breastfeeding. Ask your doctor, but I'd stop.....

Char - posted on 12/09/2012

Do not keep giving him the water. Up until a baby is around a year old milk is enough for them to drink. Even if they are eating solids. When I say milk I mean breast or and formula. Some babies like water but not until usually around 9months old. And only if there is a reason why he might be a bit dehydrate like being too hot or sick. Usually they don't tolerate it until they are eating solids. If they do take it they only have sips and usually with ice and out of a sippy cup. Also if they continuously gag on anything it is a sign that they are not ready yet or that they don't want it. It is important to listen to your babies cues. Also the water has little nutritional value for your baby so

It is important not to even try to give any liquid other than their milk unless it is extra otherwise you will make your baby miss out on much needed minerals and vitamins. It may seem funny to you but water is kind of heavy and your baby has no control over how it goes down their throat unlike the food they will eat in the future. Milk which they are used to kind of melts and easily slides down their throat as it goes down. What were you using to give the water because if they are used to the bottle or breast they will take a while to master a sippy cup and that is a long way off for your one so young as your little one. Do you know if your babys tongue protrudes when you are trying to give them food or liquids other than milk they are not ready and they will gag. Gagging is natural and should not cause any distress like difficulty in breathing. It can psychological trauma if you persist when they are not yet ready. Keep listening to your baby . Good luck.

Jane - posted on 12/05/2012

My baby used to do this also--he was breastfed and breastfeeding is an entirely different process of sucking and swallowing a thicker substance. Water is thinner and more difficult to navigate its feel. My child is 12 now and is fine. he does have asthma and used to need all foods and liquids

given carefully. Around six years old he got over all of this. Many geriatric individuals as well as babies have a harder time with thin liquids rather than ones that are more navigable due to development and in the older individuals decreased control. Which means they inhale part of it which can produce aspiration pneomonia in the elderly not as common with babies though. Do you breastfeed ?

Try only a tiny bit at a time via the premie nipples (the holes are smaller ) I used to use a sharp knife to open the hole a little more at a time) Or try mixing a little with rice cereal to add a small amount of texture and deliver a few drops in a spoon if your baby is old enough to have rice cereal or pear juice. At nine months to a year you may see a difference developmentally speaking.

Love and Joy to you--hope this helps. Jane

Tanisha - posted on 12/04/2012

Water is thinner than milk and its tasteless. if he is drinking baby formula he is getting water just wait until hes around 8 months

La Shaunda - posted on 12/04/2012

My daughter took herself off of milk at 6 months due to being allergic...some babies have their muscles strong enough to control liquids at 6 months, some take longer...the best thing u can do is watch the baby & try to teach them the right way to drink from a sippy cup...my daughter always choked when she drunk from a sippy cup, so try to use different kinds of cups or bottles...affter a while the baby will be able to drink liquids withut a problems...another thing thats the problem...he is sipping too much that makes him choke, try to get a sippy cup that controls how much they drink...it might help

Jennifer - posted on 12/03/2012

Both my babies were born in warm weather states and their docs both said to start them at 3 months on water for 1-2 oz a day. Just make sure your LO is sitting up when getting water and eventually the gagging will stop. when he gets used to how thin it is. Sippy cup or even a normal cup that you help control for now would be best for giving it.

Heather - posted on 12/02/2012

thank you everyone. I think I will stop the water for a little while and try again in a few weeks . I also see the pediatrician next week so I will see what she thinks too. :)

Jill - posted on 12/02/2012

6 months olds usually don't need water if they are getting sufficient breastmilk or formula. There is no need for you to continue trying to get him to drink it at this time. If he is thirsty, give him more breastmilk or formula.

Beth - posted on 12/02/2012

A six month old baby doesn't need to drink anything outside of breastmilk or formula. So, honestly I would just stop giving it and try again later, around a year of age.

Danielle Kimberly - posted on 12/02/2012

Also, some infants are ready to start practicing using a sippy cup as early as 6-7 months and water is usually the drink of choice to start with since they can make quite the mess.

Danielle Kimberly - posted on 12/02/2012

My Dr did advise me that at 6 months it is perfectly ok to give your LO water.. I am talking about 1-2 oz a day, no more. 6 months is the average age when babies start to eat foods other than breastmilk/formula and the water aids if constipation occurs from the new foods. Water is a lot thinner than breastmilk/formula, this is why they seem to choke/gag. Water can also be beneficial if baby has diarrhea. If unsure, speak to your Dr. about it.

Stacy - posted on 12/01/2012

I agree with michelle, they do not need any water at that age. At age 1 I would start to implement some in, but any younger while drinkin breastmilk or formula they already get eveyrthing they need. Water is also very thin, they just arnt ready for it. I would not force the issue. Mine didnt really start drinking water until he was 1 1/2 hes now 21 mo and he drinks it alot, but even now he takes it slow because it is easy to choke on it.

Michelle - posted on 12/01/2012

At this age they don't need extra water, the main food is still either breastmilk or formula and they get enough fluids from both. Solid food is just for flavour and texture as well.



If he isn't handling the water stop.

Danielle Kimberly - posted on 12/01/2012

My LO does the same thing.. She brings it back up most times and it is mucousy. I don't have an answer for you..Just wanted to say you are not alone :) I continue to give it to her, only an ounce a day. I warm it up a bit. I just started doing it so I am hoping that she will get used to it.