why can't new born babies have water?

Answer 1

Babies should not have water for many reasons.

First off.....giving water fills them up with "empty calories" and makes them not want to eat as much breastmilk or formula, which is what they need to have the energy and nutrients needed to grow. Giving a young breastfed baby water supplements means less nursing and this could damage mom's supply. Babies are trying to double birthweight by 6 mos of age, and giving water before then can make that goal harder since it keeps them from eating as much breastmilk or formula. Giving newborns supplemental water can result in weight loss or poor weight gain.

Giving newborns water can lead to increased levels of jaundice. This makes sense when one realizes that colostrum and breastmilk are fuel and get digested for that purpose. Water tends to just "flow through" the baby and contains zero calories for metabolic energy, zero protein and so on.

Formula or breastmilk contains all the fluids that they need. Breastmilk is mostly water! Formula is made with water.

The American Academy of Pediatrics says, "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."

ALSO.....
Giving a very young baby too much water is DANGEROUS. There is a condition known as "water intoxication" that can occur. Too much water dilutes a baby's normal sodium levels and can lead to seizures, coma, brain damage and death.

Answer 2

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Answer 3

Until about 6 months old, infants simply do not need anything other than breast milk and/or formula. Both breast milk and formula contain adequate water for a baby. There is a slight danger of something called water intoxication when an infant is given too much water. This is a rare, but potentially deadly condition and may cause convulsions. The most common reason for not giving newborns water is that it interferes with their intake of breast milk/formula. Their tummies are very small and if they are filled up on water than they will not drink adequate amounts of breast milk/formula to get the vitamins and nutrients they need for proper growth. When the baby is around 6-9 months, sitting up well, and eating solids then introducing some water in a cup is a good thing.

Answer 4

They can have water. Most doctors caution against it mainly becuase there are some pretty dumb parents out there who will give their newborns too much water so they fill up on it, then they won't want to nurse or take a bottle. Thus, they don't thrive and and get all the nutrition they need.

Both my boys started drinking a sip or two of water here and there starting at about 6 weeks old. Just make sure the water is safe to drink.

Answer 5

children do have the instinct to carry their breaths underwater even though it has not some thing to do with the liquid environment contained in the womb. children take their nourishment (oxygen blanketed) from the unbilical twine so there is no reason to respire. in spite of the actual shown actuality that they do practice it somewhat in utero. i have self assurance, although, that it will be like the strolling reflex newborns have...it is going away after some months. My daughter held her breath as a newborn, yet once she were given older she did not fairly get the idea of not respiration water! when you're questioning about water births, the toddler gained't breathe the water in even as it is born because the reflex to respire would not ensue till the twine is reduce and they experience the air on their tiny faces for the first time.

Answer 6

My Pediatician said that it's because of empty calories. It's not not necessary to give them plain water because something like 70% of formula and breatmilk is water.

Answer 7

please , doctors get crazy now ; a baby can have water; we use to boil it first to remove chlorine; etc; many baby formula's have you add water to the dry mix; in the old days, we gave our babies water; mine are now 30, 27, 21, 16

is your doctor worried about the artificial stuff in baby formula and encouraging nursing as the best for baby - only when the doctors start to do that then I will worry about water, sometimes a baby has gas and a little water will help or the baby is downing so much formula that a little water can take the edge off of hunger unti the next feeding. You are not giving 8 ozs of water.

Answer 8

newborn baby has very little appetite. They really don't even need to eat for a few days...... when a mother's breast milk comes in there is only about a teaspoon at a time - but it is rich in immunities and vitamins, etc...so baby will get full on water with no nutritional value to it........... they get enough water in the breast milk or formula.........at least at first.

Answer 9

I think they tell you not to give them water so they will not fill up on it. If they are full from the water, they will not be able to drink enough milk to get the nutrients they need. Why do you want to give the newborn water? If they have been sick, the doctor will often recommend pedialite to replace lost electrolytes instead of water.

Answer 10

It can imbalance their electrolites - at least that's what the OB told us with our children. It can also fill up their stomach when they should be drinking formula. THere's no nutritional value to water and babies are growing so fast, they need all the nutrition they can get.