2006-08-14 18:05:49 · 26 answers · asked by sunflower 3 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Newborn & Baby
Babies should not have any water at all before 6 months old. They don't *need* any before 12-18 months when they are eating a lot of solids. Between these 2 times, it's a personal decision.
2006-08-14 20:44:27 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 2⤋
Breastfed babies do not need any water. Breastmilk is enough. I'm not 100% sure about formula fed babies, but I don't think they need pure water either. The water in the formula should be enough.
I see that someone said something about flouride being good- I would definatley do some research about flouride in water. Flouride is some really nasty stuff, it can cause many problems. You can go to www.mothering.com and do a search for flouride. You will find out alot of information on it:)
2006-08-15 02:18:52 · answer #2 · answered by mamabean 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
When they start eating solids and even then only in 2 ozs at a time because you don't want to cause water intoxication by giving the baby too much!
2006-08-15 01:13:12 · answer #3 · answered by Crazy Mama 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
"For newborns (especially under 4-5 weeks), water supplements can be risky ~
Babies under two months should not be given supplemental water.
Water supplements are associated with increased bilirubin levels in jaundiced newborns.
Too much water can lead to a serious condition called oral water intoxication.
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.
For babies past the newborn stage ~
Too much water can interfere with breastfeeding because it fills baby up so that he nurses less. Babies need the nutrition and calories in breastmilk to grow - water has none of these.
Breastmilk has all the water your baby needs, even in very hot weather.
When your 4-6 month old baby is learning to use a cup, giving him a few sips of water a couple of times a day (no more than 2 ounces per 24 hours) is fine and fun.
Once baby starts solids, you might want to give him a few sips of expressed milk or water with his solids - some babies need this to prevent constipation."
2006-08-15 02:06:44 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋
When a baby starts eating solid foods, sometimes they need a small amount of water or really watered down juice. Until then breastmilk or formula provide all the hydration they need.
2006-08-15 01:11:02 · answer #5 · answered by criticalcatalyst 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I started giving my son water when he was about 6 months.
2006-08-15 03:24:05 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I began giving my baby water at a month and a half. I believe babies get thirsty considering they're alive! :o) I don't give him much but just a few sucks at a time. Some babies get constipated and won't poop. JD (my son) got that way and when I began giving him water throughout the day he began going regularly. Juice is a different story, I'm not going to give him juice until he's about 1. And I also gave JD cereal in his bottles starting about the same time, a month and a half. He was hungry! He cried all the time. Sometimes, you just gotta go with your maternal instinct, ya know? Good Luck to ya! :o)
2006-08-15 01:10:42 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 3⤋
You can start giving a baby water at around three months or when you start them on baby food. The tap water has fluoride in it that will help with their teeth development and it will get them started drinking it early so you don't have a problem when they get older.
2006-08-15 01:09:32 · answer #8 · answered by Rachel S 2 · 1⤊ 2⤋
WHEN MY SON WAS BORN IN 1983 HE WAS GIVEN WATER THE VERY DAY HE WAS BORN. I DON'T KNOW WHAT DOCTORS OF TODAY RECOMMEND BUT I WILL TELL YOU THAT I HAVE HAD TO RAISE A GRANDSON FROM BIRTH BECAUSE HIS MOTHER WAS KILLED IN AN AUTO ACCIDENT. I FIND THAT IT DOESN'T HURT TO OFFER A BABY WATER THROUGH OUT THE DAY. ALLOW THE CHILD TO DECIDE HOW MUCH. IF THE CHILD IS VERY LITTLE BE SURE TO BURP IT. ONCE A LITTLE SUGAR WAS MIXED INTO THE WATER BUT I DO NOT RECOMMEND THIS AS IT WILL QUICKLY DESTROY ANY TEETH THAT MAY BE COMING IN. IN EXTREME HEAT I SUGGEST AT LEAST 4 TO 8 OUNCES BETWEEN FEEDINGS AND ONCE AT NIGHT TO HELP KEEP THE MOUTH RINSED AND OFFER A BIT OF HYDRATION.
2006-08-15 01:22:09 · answer #9 · answered by Sara 2 · 2⤊ 2⤋
You can give a baby water at any time,as long as the water as been boiled and cooled down.
2006-08-15 01:13:57 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 2⤋