When can you start giving a baby a bottle with water in it.

Christin - posted on 04/10/2010

i agree with katie, evey baby is different so what one needs or can have at one age another cant. people tell us ours doesnt need anything but formula but she does as it doesnt cut it for her anymore. we say do what you want even her head start person told us to do what we want and if she can handle it keep doing it if not then she will let us know and we can stop. her dr is to the point he agrees with us now bc he's seen that she can handle it. water keeps them hydrated especially in summer. ours no longer drinks it as we have her on juice and since we started that at 3 months she no longer wants water.



i have even seen people say that water isnt good for them and stuff but whats formula made with? water.

Katie Pearl - posted on 04/10/2010

hi lisa... I live in Texas... things get so confusing because doctors, experts etc are always changing and disagreeing on what is and isn't appropriate.. Moms gets so caught up in what everyone else does with their children.. Mother knows best... That saying is so true... We as mothers are the only ones who truely know what is best for our particular children... I just feel that these days mothers are so bombarded with do's and don'ts that they don't trust them selves... Every child is different and so is every mother... So I say do what feels right for your child and for you.... Good luck to all... xoxo

Lisa - posted on 04/10/2010

I am curious of where every one is from. I am from the States, and when my children were babies I don't remember giving them water that young. Like some of the other posters I agree they don't need it. I was told no water until a certain age. I cant remember the age. But 6-8 months sounds good. If it is hot outside especially they need a little water though. I remember my mom trying to give my son water and he was little and I told her no he doent need it yet. but my chidren are 6 and 4 now and I can't remember really what age I gave water.

Jessica - posted on 04/10/2010

hey robyn i gave my son small amounts of water between feeds especially when it was hot as babies cannot regulate their body temperature as well as an adult. as long as it is boiled first and cooled prior to, i don't see the harm in it.

Katie Pearl - posted on 04/09/2010

Our doc gave us the go ahead with water at 2months... my son was never really a water drinker... but then at 4months his doctor said we could start trying juice... And man does he love juice... he will even drink water now... I think 2months is the earliest recommended to give an infant water... but just try and if they don't like it... give it 2weeks or a month... they are ready when they are ready... we are pretty much on their schedule as much as we'd like to think they are on ours... good luck..xoxo

Heidelin - posted on 04/09/2010

MY son is 4 months.. The doc gave me the ok @ 2months... but only 1oz a day, Id give it t him every once in a while... Now he drinks about 1.5oz.. just about every day

Christin - posted on 04/09/2010

sometimes babies need more than just formula. they told us that to and the lady that comes to wor with her said each baby is different and dont always get full from formula so they need more like baby food or cereal to satisfy them. not every baby is good with just formula or breastmilk for that long. like ours needs baby food and cereal, formula doesnt cut it.

Brandy - posted on 04/09/2010

They only need breastmilk/formula for the first 6 months. There is no need for water. It will just fill them up without providing any nutrition. Even if you do start water at 6 months, you should only give a sip or 2 after meals if that. I don't even think I started it with my daughter until about 8 months and just little bits at a time. If he is hungry before 4 hours, just feed him another bottle. He will let you know how much he needs to eat and it will change with growth spurts.

Christin - posted on 04/09/2010

we gave ours water at 2 months. what we do is shes 5 months now so we will give her 5oz and put cereal in it sometimes and give her baby food 2 a day.

Susan - posted on 04/09/2010

I started to give my little girl water at 4 months. She has had no problems and she actually likes it.

Trina - posted on 04/09/2010

Can you feed him half at a time? Try halving the bottle (pour the rest into another clean bottle) then store it for him. If we wants more just heat the other bottle.

Robyn - posted on 04/09/2010

its not that he is not getting food all the time .... he is 15lbs and 7oz and he is 2 months old ..... I just find he is wants a little drink half ways throw the feeding...

Trina - posted on 04/09/2010

It sounds like a growth spurt. I would increase feedings and feed earlier if needed.

Christine - posted on 04/09/2010

Maybe trying to feed him every 3 hours. At his age, he should be eating around 3 hrs and should be getting 6-7 bottles a day. That way he gets the extra nutrients.

Robyn - posted on 04/09/2010

Thanks Lisa I will call the DR monday to find out

Stacey - posted on 04/09/2010

Well I just started giving my son water and he's 10 months. umm if he's only 2 probably not. he's already getting all the liquids he needs from the formula. He might be going through a growth spurt. I put rice cereal in my sons bottle.

Lisa - posted on 04/09/2010

my doctor suggested water at 3 months old. Mind you she would not drink water from a bottle. I had to wait until she was a bit older so she could drink it from a sippie cup. But he said not to worry because she was getting enough water through my breast milk. But ya, my doctor said 3 months. And make sure it's been boiled previously. You don't wat to give them water straight from the tap at that age. Just boil it and cool it. But ask your doctor about what age is good. everyone has different opinions.