can newborns have water? and wanting to switch to breastfeeding... help!!?

Question

I had a healthy, beautiful baby girl on saturday and keep getting different answers about if it is safe to give her water between feedings. if it is safe, how much should i give her? also, i have decided that i want to switch from formula to breastfeeding... is that still gonna be okay or is it too late now. new mommy... somebody help me!!

Answer 1

I have a 3 month old baby, my pediatrician told me at the time of her birth that they no longer recommend babies be given water until they are 6 months of age. Breastmilk is the only thing the baby needs throughout the first six months of life.

About the breastfeeding, I went through something similar with my first child. I did not realize how important it was to breastfeed her at the time of her birth, a few days later I had started to learn all the ways that she benifited from breastmilk over formula, so I wanted to switch. The first time I put her to breast it was a little awkward for me and I had no one to help me with it. I kept trying with a book called " The Nursing Mothers Companion" and was able to establish a wonderful nursing realtionship with her that lasted through the first six months of her life. With the birth of my second daughter I knew that I wanted to breastfeed her from the begining because it is so much better for the baby and it was so much easier for me. I hated mixing formula, steralizing bottles, and heating milk when my baby was hungary.

Just because you didn't start out breastfeeding there is no reason why you can't switch when you are ready. Breastfeeding can be a struggle at times, and it isn't always easy for all mothers to breastfeed. Just remember any amount of breastmilk is better than none. Breastfeeding -formula feeding does not have to be a choice for one or the other, you can use both if it better suits your lifestyle.

Good luck and congrats on your baby!!!

Answer 2

Yes, you can switch to breastfeeding. If you start immediately, your baby is most likely to be willing to nurse, and you may still have enough milk that you don't need to supplement much after the first day or two.

But no, you should never give a newborn water. She doesn't need it, and it can harm her in 2 ways. First of all, if she fills up with water, she won't be hungry for the *food* that she needs. Water has no nutritional value and is harder for her to digest than your milk (or even formula), so it sits in her stomach longer making her feel full when she really isn't. Second, too much water is taxing to her system. And nobody can define what is too much for any given baby. So, since it isn't needed anyway, the recommendation is to give *none*.

Answer 3

no it is not safe to give them water. formula or breast feeding is the best thing you can do for your newborn because those contain the necessary nutrients that your baby needs right now. choosing between formula or breastfeeding is your choice their both good, even though breast feeding is more natural, and probably provides the best of what your newborn needs. just be very carefull, and if you still aren't sure, don't be asking on the internet, ask a real doctor

Answer 4

Start breast feeding immediatelly if it's coming out consistantly and she accepts the nipple then you're golden. It takes a while for the milk to perminently stop flowing. And in reality once a woman starts to lactate she can do so with enough sucking at any time without having a baby. It's nature...but the sooner you do it the better.

Oh and avoid the water formula or breast. No nutritional value what so ever and since they fill up on a liquid diet right now they need every one to count.

Cheers

Answer 5

YES, you can switch to breastfeeding, that's proven to be much better for the baby (and cheaper for mommy). You should definately do it. You can also give your little girl water, it's probably safer to make sure she stays hydrated (sometimes babies need a little extra , maybe just a few ounces a day, you don't want her to fill up on it)... then again if you don't give her water on the side she'll be fine too. I know my son just doesn't like water.

I'm a mommy of a 6 mo. old, you can im me on yahoo if you have additional questions or just want someone to relate to. my sn is :

Hontouniungaii

Answer 6

YES YOU CAN STILL BREASTFEED YOU NEED TO START NOW, DON'T GIVE HER ANY WATER UNTIL SHE IS AT LEAST 6 MONTHS OR OLDER. All she needs is your breast milk, you really do need to start breastfeeding now so or milk will start coming in good.

If someone say yes you can give your newborn water just call your baby's doctor and ask them and they will let you know, don't think it is something stupid for calling them your a new mommy how would you really know. And I think its great that you want to breastfeed, it won't hurt her at all only make her healthier!!!GOOD LUCK NEW MOMMY

Answer 7

It shouldn't be too late to switch to breastfeeding. It might be okay to give water to a formula-fed baby, but don't give her any more, it will make it harder to switch to breast. (nipple confusion, plus the more she suckles, the more milk you'll produce) Breastmilk adapts to your baby's needs from feed to feed; it will come out watery if she's more hungry than thirsty.

Good luck! Breastfeeding is really great.

Answer 8

My dr. told me it was okay to give my newborn water. Be careful, your baby will probaby choke on it since it is much thinner than formula. Sorry can't help the breastfeeding.

Answer 9

It is very safe to give baby water. It is hot out and they need to stay hydrated. go to store and get water for baby. or boil it first do not give the baby water from the tap to many gross things in water

Answer 10

Absolutely no water, and it doesn't hurt to try to go back to breastfeeding. Its only been a couple of days.