can i give my 11 month old water?

Question

i know people say not to give babies more than about 4 oz of water a day but because he is on solids now, he only drinks about 18 oz of formula a day, plus his juice and the doctor has said i can give him about 2 oz of milk a day to introduce it to him, but with the heat the way it has been, do you think it would be okay to give him a little more than 4 oz of water a day?

the reason i want to give him water is because of the heat and i don't want him to get dehydrated

Answer 1

of course

Answer 2

I lived in Germany a few years back (I'm USA citizen born and bred) during a REAL heat wave (like what they were going through earlier this summer) the bad thing about the heat in Germany is they don't have air conditioning (like some places in Northern USA) ANYWHERE!!! We used to drive around in our car because that was the only place TO get AC! So hot is HOTTER! My doctor there actually RECOMMENDED giving my child water (she was about a year and a half), it has no calories so won't fill them up with unnecessary calories, and in the heat little ones are REALLY the ones who suffer badly because their little bodies do not regulate their temperature well yet, so keeping your baby hydrated is EXTREMELY important. So yes, give your baby some water (even water down the juice to make sure there is more liquid less sugars), make sure he or she is eating otherwise normally (change in appetite, especially eating less, is a sign that the heat is getting to your little one), also to help cool your little one get the bathwater not as warm as you normally would, especially right after your little one has been outside in the heat for long periods of time (make sure the water isn't CHILLY though). Also check your baby's temperature (I am sure being a mother you probably already have a thermometer) if it gets elavated and you are sure he/she is not sick, call the doctor. Also try giving your baby pedialyte (the same thing you would give them for diarreah) it will help replace not only water but other essential vitamins and minerals your baby can lose in this heat, also it's MADE for babies and children so it shouldn't hurt your baby. Do you know what your body does with excess water when it doesn't need it? You urinate it out!!! Check your babies diapers if they don't get as "wet" or need changed as often (or if you notice a stronger sent to the urine or a dark yellow coloring) that is a good sign your baby need more liquids, also watch for constipation, if your body NEEDS liquids it takes first from your urine, and then your feces, so both are a good indicator as to how hydrated you (or your baby) is. If everything in your baby's diaper seems to going along normal, I wouldn't change how much liquid you are giving them. Call your doctor's office if you think anything is not right with your baby.

Answer 3

I personally find no value in juice at all and did not give it to my kids. Then again, my kids never had soda till way into their teen years. Forgive my bringing up my natural and now celebrated mediterranean diet, but really only Americans drink so much juice. The bottom line in juice is nothing but sugar, even if it's in fructose form. Water is healthier.
And it is too soon for milk, another American craze, pushing milk when babies are barely or just past one.
By the way, if you don't trust your doctor, see another, or talk to a dietitian.
I don't know why anyone still thinks it's good to give babies juice. All the fruit has lost its fibers and vitamins by the time it's bottled. As for the added vitamins, well, if you must have them, why swallow them with sugar?

Answer 4

you should have introduced water months ago. I give my 11 month old son a sippy cup of water with every meal. Juice is not a good thing to give babies or kids it can cause tooth decay. juice should be given only ocassionally not everyday. Also try introducing the milk by mixing it in his formula using a little more milk an less formula each day.

Answer 5

I started giving my boys water when they were about 2 or 3 months old (but just a tiny sip or two between bottles...just enough to wet the inside of their mouths, but not enough so that it affected their appetite) and they both lived to tell about it. :) They're 13 months and 29 months old now, and love water. Water and milk is all they'll drink. I do give them a glass of OJ with their breakfast, but that's it.

My suggestion for you would be to stop giving your baby juice and replace it with water. Water will not hurt your baby, and you're right...in this hot weather, he could become dehydrated very easily. Juice isn't really good for hydrating you because of the amount of sugar it contains.

Answer 6

I have raised 4 kid and am from a family of five whom all had 3 or 4 kid. My children were given as much water as they wanted from about 5 or 6 months. If they don't get enough water they will get a diaper rash as their urine is to strong PL:EASE give the baby water. Most of these doctors tell you these things have never raised a child. simple know what they have read and a child is not a text book child. Just use your own instincts and you will be fine

Answer 7

Its a good idea to give your baby water.. especially if its hot and you're outside. Your baby isn't going to drink more then he needs. He might if its juice or formula.. but the water is something that he will drink when hes thirsty.

Answer 8

Its fine to give your baby water, especially when its hot. My sister gave her baby water between breastfeeding. Her baby is very healthy and is not yet on solids. It is important to keep him hydrated. Juice is not very good for your baby especially if he is drinking it all the time.. water it down some, adding water wont hurt. If he wants water and will drink water... let him have it, i dont think there is such thing as over-watering your child. He wont drink more than he needs to. :)

Answer 9

Try Pedialyte. Doctors recommend that for infants in cases of dehydraton. It has the essential electrolytes to prevent an imbalance occuring if the child is.....over watered.

You can buy it at any drug or grocery store. Keep several bottles/cans on hand. The summer isn't over yet!

Answer 10

my daughter was off the bottle at this time and i gave her water when she was just a few weeks old and got the hick ups that baby can have just about everything now but orange juice because of the acid in it they cant have that until they are like 2 or 3 years old good luck bye

Answer 11

Yes, and if your afraid of dehydration give him pedialite. Or mix some pedialite with water. Water will not hurt your baby, he is old enough to have it. I was told after your baby is four months its okay to give water in a sippy cup. It's hot and babies have a harder time regulating their temperature than grown ups do.