Does my 6 week old baby need a bottle of water?

Question

Surely babies need water to drink as well as milk? After all if water is there food wont they get thirsty too?

Answer 1

Yes. Definitely. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise.

In theory breastfeeding gives the baby the water as well as the milk (watery foremilk, creamy hindmilk) but in practice I found mine always wanted more, no matter how much I made. We tried "topping up" with formula but that just gave him tummy ache and wind. Then we started using water to "top up", and that was fine. Just don't make water the main thing he/she has!

Make sure it's boiled (even bottled water) and cooled enough. Squirt some on your wrist - if it feels ok, it's cool enough. Don't keep it in the bottle for longer than 6 hours. You're probably ok to wash & sterilise the bottle every other use (I did) but if you don't feel comfortable with that, then do it after every use.

Enjoy the baby. Glad to hear you had him/her at home :)

Best wishes to you all

Answer 2

Milk provides all the hydration that a baby needs. Many pediatrictions recommend not giving water to an infant until after they have started solid foods. Otherwise you're filling up space in that little stomach that would be better occupied by the nutrients the child needs. It was previously recommended that an infant get water as well, but times have since changed, and this is no longer viewed as a worthwhile practice. The only time when a baby should be getting water before starting solids is if a condition is present that the pediatrician specifically tells you your baby needs it.

Answer 3

No, absolutely not. Human milk has *all* the water baby needs in it already. Giving water can fill a baby up so that she/he doesn't ask for the nutritious food she/he needs. It will also *change* the environment of baby's stomach so that nutrients are less well absorbed and bacteria can attack more easily. Do *not* give any water--not even a sip--until baby is eating solids (at least 6 months old).

Answer 4

a toddler this age haven't any water. And if toddler is hungry, water shouldn't do the trick besides. How plenty is he eating? some thing as a lot as 40 ouncesor so of formulation may be ok. And if he's breastfed, he received't be in a position to take too plenty breastmilk no count number what number circumstances he nurses. better significant, how muchweight has he received? toddlers are meant to income weight, and numerous toddlers income better constructive than the 'everyday' quantity, and are positive. (in reality, some toddlers income a mess of weight interior the first few months, and then decelerate dramatically.) "everyday" weight income for a youthful toddler is about 2 pounds a month, yet some healthy, basic toddlers income a pound each and each and every week for the first few months. in case you quite imagine of he ought to no longer be hungry, you should attempt providing a pacifier, yet i does no longer furnish him water. formulation and breastmilk both provide each and each and every and each and each and every of the water a toddler needs. EDIT: If he's breastfed i in my view does no longer be providing water for sevearal causes: (previous the accepted ones that he doesn't pick it and it ought to reason health matters.) a million. A bottle may reason nipple confusion. 2. A breastfed toddler is purely no longer waiting to devour too plenty or income 'too speedy.' 3. toddlers have improve spurts, and a wide income over a short quantity of time is likely a improve spurt, no longer an representation that he's eating 'too plenty.' 4. between the astounding subject matters about breastfeeding is that it quite is designed to fulfill both starvation and thirst. If a toddler IS 'in reality thirsty' he will nurse immediately and many circumstances. this promises him numerous the watery foremilk, which quenches his thirst even as no longer giving him too a lot fat/skill. At yet another feeding even as he's hungry, he will nurse for an prolonged quantity of time, and get the wealthy hind-milk. it truly is an extremely stylish kit.

Answer 5

NO! Babies get all the water they need from breastmilk or formula. If you give a baby too much water they can get seriously ill because the sodium in their bodies will be too diluted. I don't remember the technical term for this. Also, water will fill up their tummies and has no calories or nutritional benefits....they won't want to eat if they're already full of water.

Answer 6

Yes, a little cooled boiled water will not harm the baby and will keep him/her hydrated in this hot weather. If s/he doesn't like plain boiled water, you can put a little sugar in it and when s/he is a bit older, some very diluted juice. If you are not sure about anything with the new baby, ask your Health Visitor or when you go to the baby clinic get advice there.

Answer 7

Oh please do not listen to these stupid people...the American Academy of Pediatrics AND the World Health Organization both say that a baby does NOT NEED ANYTHING else but breastmilk or formula for the first six months. They get all of the liquid that they need from the milk. If you fill your baby up on water, then she/he wont get the nutrients that they need to grow. I am sure a VERY little bit wouldnt hurt your baby, but it is entirely unecessary.

Answer 8

Nope, she probably wont need water until about 4 months if at all then. Unless she gets constipated she will get evreything she needs from milk.

Since another is contradicting me I thought I would add that unless your baby is taking all your breastmilk Dr. Stoppard says no milk until solids, even then she says a maximum of 120ml per day should be given.. If baby is drinking all your breastmilk and still sucking she suggests 30ml of cooled boiled water per day, no more.

I never gave my daughter water until at 5 months she became very constipated but I thought you would like an experts advice. Dr Stoppard is quite famous but check the source yourself

Answer 9

No, babies don't need to drink water until they are at least four months old. The formula is mixed with water and that is all they need at that age. I gave my son water (under the advice of a family member) when he was one month old he had diarrhea for that day so I personally would not recommend it.

Answer 10

NO WATER for the first 6 months. Babies will fill up on water and then not get enough nutrients. Babies only need either formula or breast milk fo rthe 1st six month and then after that you should check with your pediatrician. If your baby is underweight they will keep them off plain water.

If you are giving her formula - it has enough water in it for her and breastmilk has enough liquid in it to keep her hydrated,

Answer 11

No she dosen't need the water and most newborns don't like water they choke on it. They get the water they need in the formula. If you are not sure about it and really question it call the pediatrician but I have twins and 4 year old and I never gave them water. I wond'nt try ti the baby is so young and water is not necessarliy good sometime for them. If they need it your dr should tell you about it but mine always told me no. Don't start her on juice either they don't like juice to be started to soon. Don't worry your baby is getting everything he or she needs from the formula.