Grandchild 1 week old, midwife says don't give plain boiled water, why not?

Answer 1

Babies that are on formula need plain boiled water in order to hydrate otherwise they will become constapated.
Babies being breastfed only need breast milk until being weaned.

If the baby is on formula I would get a second opinion, my baby is 8wks and has been having water since I began bottle feeding (5wks) and she still became constapated, which is really unpleasent for them.

Answer 2

Because a 1 week old baby should have NOTHING but breastmilk or formula, per the AAP. There is no reason to give a newborn water. Actually, giving water to a newborn can be DANGEROUS if they get too much.

From the AAP breastfeeding policy, linked below:
No supplements (water, glucose water, formula, and so forth) should be given to breastfeeding newborns unless a medical indication exists. With sound breastfeeding knowledge and practices, supplements rarely are needed. Supplements and pacifiers should be avoided whenever possible and, if used at all, only after breastfeeding is well established.

Giving an infant water fills them up with "empty calories" and then they don't drink as much milk, which is what they need to grow and have energy. Babies are trying to double birthweight by 6 mos and giving water can interfere with that. It can also harm mom's milk supply.

Answer 3

Apart from filling up the baby with non-caloric liquids (which can lead to malnutrition), water really can be acutely dangerous for infants younger than six months.

Water intoxication, or hyponatremia can cause extremely severe illness. While it's true that an infant won't be harmed by ingesting a limited amount of water, they are so small and their organs are so immature that it's very easy to give a baby too much water.
For that reason, it's best to just avoid it altogether, as almost all infants will receive adequate hydration from breastmilk or formula.

If you strongly feel that your grandchild isn't getting enough fluids, suggest a visit to the GP or health visitor to discuss your concerns further.

Answer 4

If the baby is being breasfed, water is not necessary. The first milk that comes from the breast is mainly water and is sometimes referred to as the thirst quencher. The hind milk that comes later contains lots of fat and is where the nutrients are for the baby.

From personal experience I proved that the first milk is mainly water. I pumped in a bottle and after some time pumped in another bottle, the content is very different - first bottle was watery while second looked more like the "real" milk.

I dont give water to my kids while breastfeeding for the first two months or so.

After a while (some months) the baby needs extra water besides the one in breastmilk coz as they grow that water is no longer sufficient just as you would introduce solid foods when they are bigger coz the milk alone no longer satisfy them.

Answer 5

This is directly from Kellymom, the best breastfeeding site on the internet that always gets its information from medical authorities and experienced moms:

"Breastfed babies do not need water - keep in mind that breastmilk is 88% water. Even in the first few days after birth, before mom's milk has "come in", colostrum is all that is needed to keep baby well hydrated (assuming baby is nursing effectively). 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.'

In addition, breastfed babies do not require water when it is very hot outside, assuming baby is allowed to nurse as needed. Baby can get all the liquids needed via breastmilk. A number of studies have determined that an exclusively breastfed baby does not need extra water - these studies have been done in various locations (both humid and dry) at temperatures ranging from 22-41°C (71.6-105.8°F) and 9-96% relative humidity [see references below].

Note: Formula fed babies do not routinely need extra water. Some sources do suggest offering water to a formula fed baby when it is very hot outside (though baby may prefer to get extra water from more frequent feeding), or when baby is sick with a fever (consult baby's doctor for guidelines)."

From there you can follow the links to the American Academy of Pediatrics that was the basis of this answer. You don't give a baby water for the same reason you can't eat lettuce to sustain yourself for the rest of your life: it may fill up your belly, but if it has no caloric content, how are you going to physically develop properly?

Answer 6

Ive not heard of this one either, my daughter had boiled water. Mind you i did wait until she was 7 weeks old. Think you should raise it with the midwife. Grandchild is getting all the nutrients from the milk so i don't see what the problem would be - you don't give milk all the time, Water is a must, especially if it's warm.

Answer 7

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.

Answer 8

Unless your Grandchild has trouble with constipation there is no need to give Baby anything other than milk. The rules Midwives adhere to change so often, what with new discoveries in child rearing being made so often. I would trust the midwife, they are highly trained.

Answer 9

They just say that to avoid the baby not nursing or eating enough. There's nothing wrong with it, to help hold the baby over for on hour or so until the next feeding, as long as the baby's eating enough, and it's not all the time. My mom had me give my kids water, and all 4 of mine are happy and healthy, along with all the other millions of babies that were given boiled water.

Answer 10

Don't know why this is. Did she not say why? I can remember giving water to my children once it had been boiled just once and then cooled down, obviously. I found that it was good to give them a small amount when they had colic.

Maybe she's thinking that the baby will think that it is full with food when in fact they are full with water and therefore will refuse milk when it is offered and miss out on all its nutrients. (Sorry to say it but you didn't specify whether you have a granddaughter or grandson).

Congratulations on becoming a grandma, by the way!