do newborns drink water ever?

Question

or just milk? if not, when can u start giving them water?

Answer 1

Do Newborns Drink Water

Answer 2

Not a real good idea. Formula and breast milk give nutrients water could never give them. However formula can give the benefits water gives us. So the best choice is formula or breast milk. Since everyone wants the best for their baby water would not be the best choice for a newborn. However, once the baby gets older and is on a regular feeding schedule and eating solids then offer it. Especially after the baby has eaten baby food. It will help with washing the sugars off of the gums.

Answer 3

Water isn't needed - since a newborns diet is liquid anyways, water is not necessary. Breast milk or formula have all the nutrients that babies need, water has none.

Feed your baby as much breast milk or formula as they want, until around 6-8 months old. You can introduce a sippy cup of water then. I would stay away from juice, even though a lot of people say give it to your kid they will love it. But that's just it - once you give them juice they won't take water, and at that point water is healthier because it has less sugar. My twins are 15 months old and in their sippy cups they get only water & milk, they get juice as a treat from my cup only. They have no problems drinking water, but we never gave them juice, so it was never an issue.

Don't give your baby cows milk until 12 months old (or advised by your doctor). Some babies develop allergies to cows milk if given to them too early. Again, formula & breast milk is all they need until 12 months.

Have fun with your baby!

Answer 4

Newborns *shouldn't* drink water at all. Human milk (or formula) has all the water they need. Giving plain water will only fill them up and make them not feel hungry for the nutritious food they need.

Only once they are eating a *lot* of solids (around 12-18 months old for most babies) do they actually *need* water, but you can offer them small amounts once they start solids (6 months old or older) if you prefer.

Answer 5

No, infants should not have water. They don't need it, and it can actually harm them. And formula should be mixed exactly as directed on the can, don't dilute it more than instructed, or make it thicker, or add cereal. Sadly, many people are clueless or outdated, and will give all sorts of dated and potentially harmful advice. Including putting cereal in baby's bottle so he'll sleep longer. A 6 month old is SUPPOSED to wake at night to eat. If baby seems to have his days and nights mixed, try waking him after 2-3 hours during the day and offering a feed. Don't let him sleep for many hours. (He has to eat a certain amount of food, and if he doesn't get it during the day, he'll wake more at night.) And keep night feeds boring and quiet, so he doesnt' think it's play time. He's not going to sleep all the way through for quite a few months yet, but with a little luck he should get down to 1-2 middle-of-the-night feeds within a few more weeks.

Answer 6

Newborns really don't need anything but milk for the first 6 or even 12 months.

Babies usually hate water, but they might like to taste it when they're in the bath or washing. They take care of that themselves by sucking on their wet little fists.

When the child can sit and wants to play drinking from a cup, it's OK to give them some water to taste/spill, but you really don't need to give them water when they can breastfeed.

Answer 7

I gave my daughter water when she was about 4months old. That was around the time I started her on the baby foods. It helps them with going to the bathroom and with hydration. Some baby's don't like to drink a lot of milk when you start giving them the real stuff, so it is good to get them on the habit of drinking water at a young age. My doctor also said that it is good to give them water at night instead of milk so that they don't get baby tooth decay (that can affect them even if they don't have teeth yet).

Answer 8

Babies do not need nor should they be given water before 6 months of age. There is caloric benefit whereas their milk/formula contains enough water . If you give a baby water and it then is full from water it will not eat the milk / formula it needs to thrive.

Answer 9

Even though pediatricians and the "experts" say babies don't need water, I gave both of my boys water when they were babies. Not at newborn though...I waited until they were about 6 months old, and only an ounce or two between bottles and meals. Just make sure you don't give your baby so much that he fills up on it and refuses to nurse/take a bottle. He could become malnourised. Babies grow so quickly, they need all the nutrition they can get. :)

Answer 10

If you give a newborn water they do not take nutrients from it. The best is breastmilk or formula.
You can start with water when you start with solids, and give some water instead of juice. But not too much water.