Giving my baby water

Yamile - posted on 03/02/2009

not necessary

Jennel - posted on 03/02/2009

I was Told by the Plunket Nurse to start giving water at 4 months so yes its ok I just have it in a sippy cup and it took a while for her to get the hang of it but we just had to keep trying it and giving it to her and she still dose not drink lots but thats ok she is nine months now.

Maxine - posted on 03/01/2009

Quoting Joanne:

Giving my baby water

Hi...I was just wondering if anyone has advice on how I can get my 5 1/2 month old daughter to drink water. I've been trying since she's been about 3 months and it's very rare that she will drink it.

That really is too early to be giving them water, my daughter wouldnt drink anything other than milk (even after starting to wean) till she was about 8 months old, now her bottle of water goes with her everywhere, and she gives me a funny look if i put some fruit juice in with it! so dont force it, they will get there :)

Niki - posted on 03/01/2009

I was told water is not necisarry at all until they are eating solids. Even then only an ounce or two to start.  It only fills up the baby and interferes with their milk feeds at a young age. There is an excepion and that is if your baby is constipated. It was recommended that we give our son small amounts of water to help with his bowel movements but he didn't like it. At that early age I gave him small amounts of water through a dropper.  Hope that helps!!

Kate - posted on 03/01/2009

Is she breastfed? Most breastfed babies don't need extra fluids besides milk, though a little bit is ok now and again. I would say take notice of her cues - if she doesn't want to drink it she probably doesn't need it. Hope this helps!

Bronwyn - posted on 02/26/2009

Quoting Sarah:

when my daughter was really sick a few weeks ago, at 3 months old, i was giving her water just because she was so congested and formula seemed to be too think for to take and i just wanted her to get any fluid at that point. she didn't really like it either, so if the reason you are giving your child water is because they are sick, try diluting the formula with the unflavored pedialyte so it's easier to swallow.

Excellent answer.  She will still be getting vitamins of the formula, and electrolytes from the pedialyte!

Sarah - posted on 02/26/2009

when my daughter was really sick a few weeks ago, at 3 months old, i was giving her water just because she was so congested and formula seemed to be too think for to take and i just wanted her to get any fluid at that point. she didn't really like it either, so if the reason you are giving your child water is because they are sick, try diluting the formula with the unflavored pedialyte so it's easier to swallow.

Jolene - posted on 02/26/2009

I wouldn't worry about it untill shes eating solids. Once you start to take bottles away and replacing them with food is when you need to add water. Untill then it's not essential. I was told untill 6 months only a tbsp or two a day if you really want to.

Jennifer - posted on 02/26/2009

Quoting Erica:

Oh and I don't see the point in juice at this age, there's so much sugar

My pediatrican actually told me to give my daughter apple juice when she was a month old because she was having some bathroom issues.

Erica - posted on 02/26/2009

Oh and I don't see the point in juice at this age, there's so much sugar

Erica - posted on 02/26/2009

My Pediatrician told me I can give Shelby 4-6 oz of water a day at her 4 month appt. I only offer her water when she is eating solids and she will only drink an oz or so total. She's 5.5 months old now.

Jennifer - posted on 02/26/2009

My two year old still will not drink plan water. She drinks flavored water - vitamin water, propel, etc. But I didn't start giving her that until she was one.

Joanne - posted on 02/26/2009

I'm trying to give her water because her stool is pretty thick lately. She will also go 3 days without going.

Jennifer - posted on 02/26/2009

add a little juice in with it

Ajia - posted on 02/26/2009

Quoting Christa:

so it is ok to give them a little at 6 months???

It is acceptable at 6 months, but not necessary until a year old.  Generally at so young an age, water is only used to give medicine or to relieve constipation, and even then only a couple ounces at a time. If your child is not having any medical issues, you DO NOT need to give them water. And if they are having medical issues, hopefully you've contacted your pedi and are doing only what is recommended.

And it is NOT necessary to give your babies juice. It's sugar that they don't need, and any vitamins they might get from it they are already getting in breast milk or formula.

Jordan - posted on 02/26/2009

Just give her a bottle with some water in it. If she wants to drink it she will if not, at least you gave her the option. Just know that she will always drink enough to keep her hydrated so don't force it on her. If you do add juice do the baby juice. You have to dilute the juice anyways so this way you can introduce two things.

Bronwyn - posted on 02/26/2009

Quoting Ajia:

Giving babies water isn't recommended until 6mo. And even then, only an ounce or two at a time. It can interfere with the way their body absorbs nutrients in breast milk or formula. Too much water can even result in something called Water Intoxication in babies. It might be necessary to give your baby water in some case like administering medicine, or constipation, but there are still other solutions. Basically your baby is getting plenty of hydration from breast milk or formula, so if she is refusing water don't push it on her.

Also all the sugar in juice is really not necessary so young.

Of course people will say they've been giving their kids water since they were 2 months old and nothing is wrong with them... well that's fine but I'd rather be safe than sorry when it comes to my child's health.

I agree....My doctor actually told me not to give my son water at all.  You need to give your doctor a call, and they can tell you over the phone what to do.  They are supposed to have breast milk or formula only.  And juice that young is not recommended.   They need vitamins at this age to grow.  But I would still call your doctor, that is what they are there for!  :)

Jessica - posted on 02/26/2009

add just a lil bit of juice to the water my daughter drinks water like crazy she loves it but my son was a differnt story he is 3 and still doesnt like to drink water

Ally - posted on 02/26/2009

After 6 months it is ok to give small sips of water with meals. before then you don't want them to fill up on anything that takes away from the amount of breastmilk/formu;a they need to grow. you need to have a flouridated water supply or get bottled water that containes flouide. It is not necessary as long as they are drinking enough breast milk and having plenty of wet diapers..if you want to try it at meals do so after 6 months with a sippy cup so by about 1 year they will be proficient with a cup. just wondering ...Why are you wanting to give your child water so young?

Jen - posted on 02/26/2009

My daughter will only drink water if she's really thirsty or if I put flavoring in it. We have a water filter that you can add a squirt of flavor to it. I've also heard of flavoring it with juice. Your daughter is just about the age you can start juice and only in small quantities. We only did juice every other day and only in a sippy cup. I wouldn't force water on your daughter if she doesn't want it. Like the other moms said the main source of hydration and nutrients will be coming from the formula and/or breast milk. Plus if you use powder formula, you make it with water so they get the water that way too.

Christa - posted on 02/26/2009

so it is ok to give them a little at 6 months???

Rebekah - posted on 02/26/2009

Why are you trying to give her water? Was that recommended by your pediatrician? My son is 2 years old and he's only had water and/or juice on very few occasions (out when milk wasn't available). I was under the impression that breast milk (or formula) is the only liquid a baby needs for at least the first year.

Ajia - posted on 02/26/2009

Giving babies water isn't recommended until 6mo. And even then, only an ounce or two at a time. It can interfere with the way their body absorbs nutrients in breast milk or formula. Too much water can even result in something called Water Intoxication in babies. It might be necessary to give your baby water in some case like administering medicine, or constipation, but there are still other solutions. Basically your baby is getting plenty of hydration from breast milk or formula, so if she is refusing water don't push it on her.



Also all the sugar in juice is really not necessary so young.



Of course people will say they've been giving their kids water since they were 2 months old and nothing is wrong with them... well that's fine but I'd rather be safe than sorry when it comes to my child's health.

Amy - posted on 02/26/2009

she may not... try putting1/4- 1/3 juice in it

or give her "mommy's from a water bottle or sports bottle"