When can you give baby liquids other than breastmilk/formula?

Liana - posted on 07/05/2009

My 3rd child is only 11 weeks and we do give her very diluted juice on hot days because she is so thirsty and wont drink plain water. My health visitors say that water is fine so long as you boil it first and let it cool down. Don't give them cows milk till they are 1 though it can make them poorly.

User - posted on 07/05/2009

The professionals say that no they don't need anything else..... however, on a hot day, room temp water is good in small amounts (you don't want to fill up their tummies so they don't want dinner). Juice is frowned upon (unless in small amounts to combat constipation, apple and blackcurrent is recommended for this but consult the Dr first) until they are older. And then only in small amounts and well diluted (1:4) as it contributes greatly to tooth decay and can even damage the newly formed baby teeth that aren't yet through.... (so my dentist said). If they are feeding well, then milk/formula is fine. Cow's milk isn't great till after 1yr as their gutt finds it hard to digest. Hope this helps...

Anita - posted on 07/05/2009

I dont think theres anything wrong with giving water to a baby from day one..especially in hot weathers...I gave my little one water from day one, but only a few mls at a time..if ur baby is on formular it is most important to give water....

Megan - posted on 07/05/2009

thats rubbish my health vistor told me that if there on formula milk giving them water helps them stop becoming constapted my babys 5 mnths old and been on water since she was born and it has dun her no harm nt loads of it but the odd bit does not hurt

Sam - posted on 07/05/2009

Breastmilk is all your baby needs, Breastmilk is more watery in hot weather to ensure babies stay hydrated.

Giving water too soon can make babies poorly, even in formula fed babies.

http://www.kellymom.com/nutrition/solids...



"For newborns (especially under 4-5 weeks), water supplements can be risky

Babies under two months should not be given supplemental water.

Water supplements are associated with increased bilirubin levels in jaundiced newborns.

Too much water can lead to a serious condition called oral water intoxication.

Water supplements fill baby up without adding calories, so water supplements can result in weight loss (or insufficient weight gain) for the baby. ..."

Renae - posted on 07/05/2009

hi eunice,

my son is 5 months and i have been giving him water between feeds since he was around 6 weeks old. he is formula fed and sometimes just needs a little drink of water. especially when we have been out shopping and it's not yet time for a feed. see how you go, try your daughter with water when you think she might want it, she will let you know if she is just thirsty for water or if she wants a feed. i always use cooled boiled water though.

Mel - posted on 07/04/2009

oh as well i just saw Miranda's post and dont mean any disrespect but didnt want you to think this was right , anyway my 15 month old has been involved with the childrens hospital and many child nutritionists, pediatricians, speech pathlogists the lot so i have been lucky enough to get all my info from them over the past year as i speak to them on a daily basis and it is good to give water between feeds, just for the reason i said in the hot weather it keeps them hydrated. mine was formula fed. the water helps with any constipation as well as that is common in babies

Miranda - posted on 07/04/2009

Only breastmilk or formula before 6 months. When your daughter reaches 6 months it is fine to give her water preferabley cool boiled water. Never give juice, There is no need for it at all. If you want them to have a taste it's fine but it shouldn't be a regular drink. Cows milk can be introduced into her diet at 10 months, adding it to cereal and cooking will get her body used to it. It cannot be the main milk drink until 12 months though.

Katie - posted on 07/04/2009

giving milk before one can cause stomach bleed they dont contain the enzymes to break down the proteins in milk until they are one or older

Mel - posted on 07/04/2009

water is fine from birth its used to keep them hydrated in the hot weather and for constipation. juice around 3 months. and cows milk you can give them a taste anytime as long as it is not their main nutrition

Claudia - posted on 07/04/2009

I started my kids on water at 3 months, only to cool them off on a hot day or to hold them till their next feeding. And juice at 6 or 8 months (only 4 oz a day, if that. Hope that helps.

Lori - posted on 07/04/2009

I would ask your pediatrician. However, I personally started both my babies on formula around 3 or 5 months old. It was mainly because I didn't like breastfeeding (it just wasn't for me). I started giving them juice in a bottle (diluted with water) around 4 months old. I did not give whole milk until both of them had turned 1 year old.That is usually the consensus from doctors....wait until they turn a year old before introducing whole milk to them. Their stomachs have to adjust to the change for digestion. Mine had no trouble whatsoever switching from formula to regular milk. Just make sure it is whole milk (they need the nutrients in it). And only give juice a couple times a day because of the sugars in them. It isn't very good on their teeth. I really hope this helps.

Lori

Anna - posted on 07/04/2009

Give nothing else but breast milk (or the occasional formula) before 4 months, then you can give no more than 1 oz (or so) of water if it is a very hot day. But as I understand it, it is not reccomended before 6 months of age to give water at all really... Cow's milk - never before 12 months of age they say (bad for the iron intake that the baby needs). Juice - too much sugars, so not good before 2-3 years of age.

Your milk is enough, it is awesome food and drink, and the baby doesn't need anything else before he/she starts solids for real (6+ months), and then try to give only water!!

Be well and good luck!!