When do I start giving my breasfed baby water?

Question

And if so, what water?

Answer 1

You dont need to before 6 mths of age when they typically start solids... even in warm weather! You'll drink more water yourself, increasing the naturally high water content in your milk, and your baby will get everything they need that way. You already have a great link from the site Kellymom from someone. And never put sugar in the water when you do start, there is no reason to do that. If your baby is thirsty they should drink it plain. Bottled or tap water, that was a ? a few days ago from someone. I'll go find my answer and paste it in here.


I agree with some comments about bottled water being no better than some tap water (in fact, where I used to live in Alaska they put the tap water in bottles and sold it as 'bottled water'... very funny! It was good water though, dont get me wrong, but why pay for it!!!) but you need to be sure what your water has been treated with. I think some cities add too much flouride into the water, which can cause baby to have blotches/stains on their teeth when they are older. Not to mention high levels of chlorine. You also have to be careful when picking bottled water, not all bottled water is good for them either.
Ok, just googled this and here's part of an article from the link below talking about the flouride in tap water:

BOTTLE-FED babies are receiving excess fluoride because their formula is made using fluoridated tap water, a Food Safety Authority of Ireland assessment indicates.
The Department of Health asked the FSAI to investigate the impact of fluoridated tap water on infants amid concern at studies linking fluoride to cancer, irritable bowel syndrome, hip fractures, dental fluorosis and thyroid disorders.
Anti-fluoridation campaigners claim that new-borns who are fed formula-prepared with tap water are receiving three times the limit recommended by the British Medical Association, while a three-month old child receives up to six times the limit.
In the US, the Academy of General Dentistry advises that in fluoridated areas "it is recommended that parents use low fluoride bottled distilled water or tap water with a reverse osmosis home water filtration system attached that removes most of the fluoride.
"As a group of health care professions, we have a duty to protect public health and therefore we will be initiating a nationwide publicity campaign to highlight the dangers of using tap water to make up infants' feed," Dr Mac Auley said.

Better to be safe than sorry with this sort of stuff I think.

Answer 2

There is no reason to give your baby anything besides breastmilk until 6 mos of age. Breastmilk is mostly water. (88%!)

The American Academy of Pediatrics says nothing but breastmilk is necessary before 6 mos of age. Per the AAP, "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."

Giving babies too much water can cause a dangerous condition called oral water intoxication. Simply follow your baby's cues and nurse when he asks.

Another problem with giving baby water.....empty calories! You'll fill a quickly growing baby's tummy up with empty calories. Babies are working hard to double their birthweight by 6 months. They need breastmilk to do that, not water. Giving water will fill their belly up with empty calories and make them less interested in nursing. Giving water to a young baby can result in poor weight gain or even in a weight loss!

Once your baby is about 4-6 mos old, you can give him a FEW SIPS of water to help him learn to use a cup just a couple of times a day (no more than 2 ounces per 24 hours). Personally, I always introduced a sippy of water around 6 mos when I introduced solid foods. I wanted them to learn to eat a bit and then take a drink to wash the food down.

Answer 3

Your breastfed baby does not need any water for the first six months while she is not eating any solid foods. (A formula-fed baby does not need any water either, typically.) Breastmilk is made up mostly of water and will provide your baby with enough hydration, even if it is hot out.

Once your baby starts eating some solid foods, you might want to offer a little water in a cup or sippy cup. However, if your baby still wants to rely mainly on breastmilk for her hydration that is probably okay too, as long as you let her nurse as much as she wants.

Answer 4

NEVER.........

well not never.....but they don't need it.....breastmilk is like 95% water........so they don't need it.....

And if you give it too early like if they're newborns....you can be diluting their blood.

If you can hold off till at least about 6 months.....make sure it's boiled or distilled water.......not filter because it doesn't conatin flouride which they need for their developing teeth.

And try to give WATER before Juice......and if you do give juice (preferably around 9 months or older) make sure you dilute it with water......


this is from a website

....."It isn't necessary to give your newborn water. Most babies get enough fluids from breast milk or infant formula. Even when a mother's milk supply is just coming in during the first few days after delivery, the baby is getting colostrum,which is enough to keep the baby well hydrated. Because a newborn's kidneys are immature, she has a difficult time concentrating her urine, and if given too much plain water, may have trouble excreting it. This could lead to dangerous changes in the concentrations of sodium and potassium in her bloodstream. For these reasons, infants should not be given extra fluids unless their pediatrician recommends it. ............"

http://www.wholesomebabyfood.com/juiceforbaby.htm

http://www.askdrsears.com/faq/fit6.asp

http://www.homemade-baby-food-recipes.com/giving-water-to-baby.html

Answer 5

Well mothers are being encouraged these days to give their babies only breast milk for 6 months no water nothing.It's called the baby friendly initiative.The water in breast milk is OK for the baby until it's 6 months old.If you do this you'll have a baby that is less prone to falling ill because it helps build a strong immune system and you also don't risk having bacteria in your baby's milk or giving the baby dirt weather knowingly or unknowingly.I advice you wait till your baby is 6 months then you can give him or her water and i advice you give natural and pure bottled water.You can also combine breast milk with water and semi solids after 6 months.

Answer 6

Im a nutritionist

you can give your baby water after six months (when he starts solids)

as long as the water is safe it dosn't matter what the sourse is tap is fine and bottled is fine too

Answer 7

Breastfed babies only need breastmilk for the first year. Of course you can start solids at six months if baby is interested but they don't need water.

Answer 8

I started to give my baby water when she was first born, (bottle water) Her Dr. said that there was nothing wrong with giving her warter, in fact it was good. I would put a little sugar in there at first(your Best milk is sweet) then slowly stop putting sugar in. Catherine loves water now.

Answer 9

You don't ! ! Water just fills up a baby and offers no nutrition. Don't do it ! It may cause you child to be a baby "who doesn't thrive".

Answer 10

Water for a baby is good, it cleans the system, to my understanding it's after the first month, the only thing at the time they'll be drinking will be milk and water.