Should infants around a week old be given any water if they are breast feeding exclusively.?

Answer 1

Absolutely not. Water has no nutritional value, can't be absorbed without electrolytes (minerals that work together with the water to absorb it), and it can fill up a baby so that she/he isn't hungry for food--breastfeeding. It can overtax a baby's kidneys if taken in too large amounts, and nobody can define what is "too large". In short, it is dangerous. Every major health organization worldwide recommends *nothing* but breastfeeding for the first 6 months. See sources section below for policy statements by the American Academy of Pediatrics and several other health organizations.

Answer 2

NO NO NO NO NO!
Water is BAD for infants.

Breastmilk is mostly water. There is NO reason to give a breastfeeding infant water. Water would be empty calories filling up the belly of a growing baby. Babies need breastmilk of formula to grow. If they are nursing frequently enough (about every 2 hours at this age) then they should be getting plenty of fluids. Giving an infant water could also harm your milk supply since it would replace nursing.

Giving water to a baby this young is DANGEROUS. It can cause water intoxication. Water intoxication is a potentially FATAL disturbance in brain function that results when the normal balance of electrolytes in the body is pushed outside of safe limits.

In the AAP's breastfeeding statement (linked below) it states:

Supplements (water, glucose water, formula, and other fluids) should not be given to breastfeeding newborn infants unless ordered by a physician when a medical indication exists.

Answer 3

NO!

As a nutritionist I will tell you infants under three month can get water intoxication (called hyponatremia)! In severe cases, water intoxication can cause low blood sodium levels, irritability, coma, and even permanent brain damage. you should never give a baby under 3 months anything except formula or breast milk, and water is not recommender till after 6 months when a baby starts solids!

Per the American Academy of Pediatrics, "Supplements (water, glucose water, formula, and other fluids) should not be given to breastfeeding newborn infants unless ordered by a physician when a medical indication exists, during the first 6 months of age, even in hot climates, water and juice are unnecessary for breastfed infants and may introduce contaminants or allergens."

# Water supplements are associated with increased bilirubin levels in jaundiced newborns.
# Water supplements fill baby up without adding calories, so water supplements can result in weight loss (or insufficient weight gain) for the baby.
# Babies who get water supplements are less interested in nursing. If baby is not nursing as often as he should, it will take longer for mom's milk to come in and can delay or prevent mom from establishing an optimum milk supply.

Answer 4

I am a neonatal intensive care unit nurse for 13 years It really isn't necessary to give the baby water it gets all it's water and nutrients from your breast milk, But if u want I suggest giving the baby a 1/2 ounce of water every once in awhile make sure it is water meant for babies only or if it's not and it's tap water the baby will get a upset stomach and be very fussy , Good Luck Hun ..

Answer 5

NO!!!!!!!!! Your baby is getting all of her fluid requirement with nursing!!! If you feed her water, it will throw her feeding off and she will not get the nutrients that she needs. Ask a Dr. they will tell you that babies do not need anything to drink except breast milk or (blech) formula for the first six months. Definitely check with a lactation consultant or your pediatrician before you give her water, she's just too young. Besides, if you give her water in a bottle, that could cause nipple confusion and ruin your breastfeeding chances.

Answer 6

No...it won't hurt if you already have, but a baby at this age needs calories to thrive and he/she cannot get that from water. If the baby is thirsty breastfeed for a couple of minutes. Don't worry about overfeeding. The baby is getting everything it needs from your breast milk. Plus you don't want to introduce a bottle just yet. The baby is still learning how to breastfeed, introducing a bottle could cause nipple confusion. Good luck!

Answer 7

Babies under the age of six months do not need any additional water if they are breastfed. They get all the liquids they need from the breastmilk. However, a little bit of water wont hurt them. But you dont want to give them too much because if they fill up on water, they wont nurse enough milk and they wont get the nutrients they need.

Answer 8

Well breast-feeding is meant to give enough water too.
Personally, I think babies still need water. Giving the baby 1 or 2 ounces will just give it a little drink in this hot weather.

Answer 9

Infants do not need to drink water in addition to being breastfed. Breastmilk provides a baby with all the nutrients and hydration needed. Babies have very tiny stomachs. If you give them water, this will fill up their tummies and they may not nurse well.

Answer 10

No. Babies who are exclusively breastfeeding get all the fluids they need from the breastmilk. I asked this specific question to my pediatrician when my 2nd child was 7 wks old and we were planning a trip to DisneyWorld in August (HOT). He said, if she seemed hot to nurse more frequently. Water on top of breastmilk can mess up their electrolytes which is not safe.