Is it okay for me to give my 5 month old a little bit of water?

Jamie - posted on 12/01/2009

I did

Era - posted on 12/01/2009

of course its ok..theres no harm in doing that..juz make sure it really plain normal drinking water though..cheers...

Danna - posted on 12/01/2009

My sons doctor told me that i need to give him some water every once in a while and it helped with his constipation and he was as fussy as he used to be...so i would say it is okay to give her some...

Michelle - posted on 12/01/2009

i gave my son water as a newborn and was told by my midwife to do so in moderation. my son is now 21 months and doesn't drink anything other then water and milk by his own choice........

Amanda - posted on 12/01/2009

it is fine to give her a little water... you can buy jugs at the store of water for babies with flouride in it

LaShana - posted on 12/01/2009

Water is good for babies. I used to alternate water bottles and juice bottles. It helps thier stools so they won't be constipated alot. If you can get them to drink water as a baby you will have less of a problem getting them to drink water later like when they are 3, 4 or5 yrs old, especially in the summer when you would want them to drink water. Good luck!

Kerri - posted on 12/01/2009

It is fine to give them water. It is actually good for them to drink water and it will help keep their stomachs full in between feedings.

Julia - posted on 12/01/2009

Absolutely, all of my kiddos drank water. The Dr.s will say other wise but I did and mine are all still alive and very healthy. To this day they all drink a lot of water and are at a very healthy weight.

Katie - posted on 12/01/2009

My son also had constipation problems, and our doctor told us (since he was about a month and a half) that I could give him about a ounce of water every day. He is now six and a half months and drinks water daily.

Marie - posted on 12/01/2009

water definately, babies get thirsty like everyone else

Bev - posted on 12/01/2009

absolutely. She get thristy too. This is a great time to introduce a sippy cup.

Sharon - posted on 11/30/2009

In my mothers' family babies were always given a little water after every feeding to help clear out their mouths.

I carried that tradition on. My kids never had thrush or other weird mouth diseases and always had sweet breath.

Susan - posted on 11/30/2009

water will not hurt your baby give her a try and see if she likes it my son didnt at 1st but he does now

Heather - posted on 11/30/2009

yup and my pediatrician was mortified that I was giving my kids baby food at 6 months - until i told her they were drinking 1-1/2 gallon of formula a day and the diapers they went through.

Melissa - posted on 11/30/2009

the news just had a special on that children shouldnt get extra water till 6 months old it what that dr. recomended. babies get all they need from formula/ breast milk and should need extra water but if you are unsure ask your dr.

Megan - posted on 11/30/2009

The biggest fear with most babies and doctors is that the first 6-9 months is when babies should be doing the most growth - atleast doubling their birth weight. There's nothing wring with giving them water - it's good for all of us - but, every time you do it's giving them something with no calories and no nutrients. They warn mom's away from it because they don't want to see regular water or sugar water replace a feeding time. But, if you are not reducing any feedings and merely giving 1-2 ounces between a feeding and you feel like your baby is happier because of it, then go right ahead!

Krista - posted on 11/30/2009

i gave my son just a few sips when he was 5 months, no more than that...the people at wic told me it was fine to just let him have a little bit only in sips...but really, you should probably look it up or read about it in a book...what to expect the first year, is a really good one that answers most of my questions...then make your own decision based on that. everyone you ask is going to have different opinions on it, so you need to decide yourself based on facts, not opinions!

Heather - posted on 11/30/2009

When my kids were little they encouraged us to give them water along with formula or breast milk, especially if it's hot outside.

Jenni - posted on 11/30/2009

Right well i might just upset the apple cart here... I would give her cooled fresly boiled water. I would also try her on some watered down baby juice some times they are just thirsty.. my 6 month old is on chunky food she has had water, juice plus food from 4 months an she is doing great.. she is baby number 4 so i have travelled this road a few times an i am a great beliver in "that a mother knows best".

Daniele - posted on 11/30/2009

Quoting claire:

its ok to give formula babies a little bit of water no sugar etc. giving a baby sugar is terrible and sets them up really badly for when they get older I would never do that . why do you want to give your baby water is it constipated? as far as breast fed babies its not needed even if the weather is hot ,because your milk adapts to the temp you are in and becomes thinner to quench thirst.if you do give water check the sodium in it first some bottled water has loads in it.

Actually, my daughter has a deformity in her rectum, causing problems with bowel movements. She still has constipation problems no matter the amount of water she drinks. We gave her sugar water because the sugar helps the stool to become softer than just breastmilk would allow. Also, my breastmilk was, and still is, extremely thick. It never thinned out based on heat and humidity and no matter how much the baby nursed she would still become dehydrated. Every baby is different.

And, no, giving a little bit of sugar water will not create bad habits if it is done correctly. Sugar water is one teaspoon to one ounce. We usually reduced it to half a teaspoon per ounce. My daughter's favorite foods now are steamed broccoli, green beans and sweet peas.

Also, studies have shown that a little bit of sugar water before a vaccine will help ease the babies pain and trauma. That is one reason my pediatrician gives suckers to the little children before they get a vaccine. It helps calm them down. Children don't need much sugar, but a little bit every now and then will not hurt anything. 

Daniele - posted on 11/30/2009

Quoting claire:

its ok to give formula babies a little bit of water no sugar etc. giving a baby sugar is terrible and sets them up really badly for when they get older I would never do that . why do you want to give your baby water is it constipated? as far as breast fed babies its not needed even if the weather is hot ,because your milk adapts to the temp you are in and becomes thinner to quench thirst.if you do give water check the sodium in it first some bottled water has loads in it.

Actually, my daughter has a deformity in her rectum, causing problems with bowel movements. She still has constipation problems no matter the amount of water she drinks. We gave her sugar water because the sugar helps the stool to become softer than just breastmilk would allow. Also, my breastmilk was, and still is, extremely thick. It never thinned out based on heat and humidity and no matter how much the baby nursed she would still become dehydrated. Every baby is different.

And, no, giving a little bit of sugar water will not create bad habits if it is done correctly. Sugar water is one teaspoon to one ounce. We usually reduced it to half a teaspoon per ounce. My daughter's favorite foods now are steamed broccoli, green beans and sweet peas.

Also, studies have shown that a little bit of sugar water before a vaccine will help ease the babies pain and trauma. That is one reason my pediatrician gives suckers to the little children before they get a vaccine. It helps calm them down. Children don't need much sugar, but a little bit every now and then will not hurt anything. 

Nikaela - posted on 11/30/2009

yes offf course its fine

Daniele - posted on 11/30/2009

Quoting claire:

its ok to give formula babies a little bit of water no sugar etc. giving a baby sugar is terrible and sets them up really badly for when they get older I would never do that . why do you want to give your baby water is it constipated? as far as breast fed babies its not needed even if the weather is hot ,because your milk adapts to the temp you are in and becomes thinner to quench thirst.if you do give water check the sodium in it first some bottled water has loads in it.

Actually, my daughter has a deformity in her rectum, causing problems with bowel movements. She still has constipation problems no matter the amount of water she drinks. We gave her sugar water because the sugar helps the stool to become softer than just breastmilk would allow. Also, my breastmilk was, and still is, extremely thick. It never thinned out based on heat and humidity and no matter how much the baby nursed she would still become dehydrated. Every baby is different.

And, no, giving a little bit of sugar water will not create bad habits if it is done correctly. Sugar water is one teaspoon to one ounce. We usually reduced it to half a teaspoon per ounce. My daughter's favorite foods now are steamed broccoli, green beans and sweet peas.

Also, studies have shown that a little bit of sugar water before a vaccine will help ease the babies pain and trauma. That is one reason my pediatrician gives suckers to the little children before they get a vaccine. It helps calm them down. Children don't need much sugar, but a little bit every now and then will not hurt anything. 

Lauren - posted on 11/30/2009

my son is nearly 1 and he's had water regularly since he was born. whenever he was constipated my health visitor said it was ok to give him a few sips of water to get his bowels moving again. although...probably not more than an ounce whenever he was constipated. maybe try giving him/her a couple more ounces of milk in the bottle.

Tiffany - posted on 11/30/2009

My pediatrician said it was okay to give water to my son when he was only a few weeks old so I would think it would be fine. As long as your child is still getting breast milk or formula.

Nicole - posted on 11/30/2009

It should be fine. Just not too much. My daughter is 6 weeks and she gets the hiccups so bad so I put water in a bottle for her to get them to go away. She drinks less than an ounce, I pretty much let her drink a little, pull out the bottle, and if they are gone, then I stop. She's doing just fine.

Nicole - posted on 11/30/2009

I have three daughters, ages 13, 11 & 8, and I always gave them water when they were between 3 and 12 months old. They are healthy and do not have any problems. I can understand if you gave them a full bottle of water in place of their milk but if you are only giving them a sip at a time then I do not see the harm.

Emma - posted on 11/30/2009

all my kids have drank cooled boiled water from being tiny. they are just tiny people so i dont see how it can be harmful. iv never heard anything so daft 2 say it could be

Stephanie - posted on 11/30/2009

My daughter's pediatrician told us at her 4 month check up she was ready to get a little bit of water occasionally. The best thing to do is ask your pediatrician if she's ready for it.

Clendelyn - posted on 11/30/2009

offcourse, my baby is only 7 weeks and i give her water because she always gets the hiccups....water is fine because its like ur baby is already having water because u do put it in there milk, so its fine just make sure u dont give the baby too much water tho. i give my 7 week baby an ounce.

Brenda - posted on 11/30/2009

My son is now age 5 and I started him on water almost right away...Milk wasn't enough for him and it never hurt him..today he loves water compared to anything else..

Lianne - posted on 11/30/2009

i gave my daughter cooled boiled water b4 she was 6months, and shes fine, the doctor and health visitor saiid it was fine.

Betsy - posted on 11/30/2009

They recieve all they need for thirst from breastmilk/formula. It can be dangerous, and they shouldn't have straight water at all before 6 mo, and it is best if they don['t have it or are really watched with minute amounts up to their first birthday. Like the previous poster mentioned, extra water (even formula made with wrong amounts of water and esp. just cups of water, affect the levels of sodium and potassium in their systems, which can cause kidney damage, heart damage and even death in extreme cases. Babies have become severe ill just from swallowing gulps playing in water, so you do not want to give an infant water. If diarrhea and worry about dehydration is an issue, that is why they have Pedialyte, which has the right amount electrolytes to avoid this. Infants are very sensitive to water intoxication, esp. their kidneys which can't handle it yet.

If she is fussy, but doesn't seem hungry and isn't eating more, then she is fussy for another reason, whether tired, gas, wanting to be held, overstimulation, etc. It could be a variety of things, but if she was thirsty, she would drink her bottle because at this age they don't differentiate between food and drink.

Franchesca - posted on 11/30/2009

i gave my son water when he was 6 months. his doctor said it was fine just not all day long.

Marcie - posted on 11/30/2009

Have you tried a pacifier? Sometimes they aren't hungry, but just wanna suck on something which is what we found true for our daughter. As for water, my daughter is breastfed and has to take prevacid for reflux which we dissolve in 3 mL of water twice a day. I have given her plain water from the syringe as well to help her when she was slightly stopped up. The doctor had no problem with that.

Claire - posted on 11/30/2009

its ok to give formula babies a little bit of water no sugar etc. giving a baby sugar is terrible and sets them up really badly for when they get older I would never do that . why do you want to give your baby water is it constipated? as far as breast fed babies its not needed even if the weather is hot ,because your milk adapts to the temp you are in and becomes thinner to quench thirst.if you do give water check the sodium in it first some bottled water has loads in it.

Monica - posted on 11/30/2009

by 5 months yes. Just don't go overboard and give it to her all the time and everyday. I gave my son water every other day and no more than 2 oz of NURSERY WATER (but he had bowel problems so it was 4 oz of water mixed with other things, doctor's suggestion). When you start noticing her color getting too light or she pees more than she's taking in then you need to get her to the doctor quick because her system could be flushing her sodium and electrolytes and whatever else they said back then lol

Maria - posted on 11/30/2009

ive been giving my son about an ounce since he turned 4 months old...he is fine.

Corrina - posted on 11/30/2009

my baby has had water since a few weeks old i have three kids and i have done it with all of them milk is basically a food not drink as long as the water is boiled nothing will happen as with sugar water the sugar is basically something used to make them drink it its not a special remedy just adds a bit of flavour otherwise baby might spit it out remember only a pinch of sugar

Theresa - posted on 11/30/2009

I was always told by my kids' pediatricians that they get all the liquid they need form their breastmilk/formula. There is no need to do water at that age. If she's finishing her bottles at feeding times try going with 2 more onces, she may be going through a growth spurt and need to eat a little more at this time.

User - posted on 11/30/2009

Is she breast feed or formula ?

Brandy - posted on 11/30/2009

They say it can be harmful to give a baby water before they reach 6 months of age. When is her 6 month birthday? Otherwise, if she is a formula baby - you could put a lil bit into a 4 oz. bottle. She may just be getting a bigger appetite.

Daniele - posted on 11/30/2009

My daughter had constipation problems when she was tiny and the doctor had us give her a little bit of sugar water a few times a day. She would get approximately 2 oz. twice a day, more if she acted really thirsty or constipated and it really helped. Go with your instincts and ask your pediatrician if you are really concerned. The nurse could answer that question, too. Just make sure that the water is purified or boiled to help remove any chemicals or additives. Tap water has lots of extra stuff that babies don't need.