Why can't you give infants water?

Question

When I had my first son 3 years ago they told me not to give him water until he was a year old. Well a year came and here I go trying to give him water and he will not have it! I have tried since then and he's 3 now and still won't drink water.

I have a one month old son and here we go again... I can't give him water either. I just don't think it's healthy not to give them water. Why can't we give it to infants???? That's the question...

Answer 1

It's a couple of things. First, there is no nutritional value to water. Infants need calories in order grow and develop properly.

Secondly, infants can get a condition called water intoxication. That is where the blood is thinned too much. That inhibits proper organ function.

Try mixing juice and water together for your older son. Slowly lessen the amount of juice until he get used to the water.
Also, you can just give him water. If he throws a fit, then he throws a fit. He will get thirsty eventually and will have to drink what you give him. (Worked for my daughter)

Answer 2

Giving Infants Water

Answer 3

1

Answer 4

Our water is fortified with Fluoride. There are other chemicals in there too, which baby's little liver isn't able to start breaking down until they're about 5-6 months. That's why you have to boil water before you make formula with it. When you do start giving water, once they are learning how to use a cup, make sure it's just cold tap water because warm tap water picks up more chemicals on the way out of the tap. Another thing to remember is never to give babies bottled spring water, because it has lots of minerals in it- great for grown ups, but not so for babies. - Also, for the record, water has no calories, so although it can fill you up and temporarily bloat a little belly, it's not "empty calories" as a few people have mentioned. Good luck!

Answer 5

You shouldn't give a new born water but as they get older (maybe after about 3 months) little amounts are ok in hot weather. If you are breastfeeding, babies shouldn't need anything other than that. It's definately the best thing for them. Don't be tempted either to give juice or cordial or sugar etc. I drink loads of water, always have and now my three year old is the same. He will always ask for water, never juice or coke etc. Lead by example. Also remember, when someone says "water has no nutritional value" You can live without food for weeks but a few days without water and you won't! Good luck

Answer 6

There's some water you should not give to a baby because it's not safe. For example, if your house is supplied by well water, you don't want to give that to a baby.

Generally, though, the reason doctors advise not to give a baby water is because 1) the baby is already getting all the water/hydration is needs from breastmilk or formula, and 2) if the baby drinks water it will likely consume a lesser amount of breastmilk/formula, and the breastmilk/formula is what provides the nutrients it needs, so we don't want to see a baby reduce it's BM/formula consumption in favor of something that provides zero nutritional value. And actually, it's not hard for a baby to throw its system out of balance by altering the healthy ratios of water, potassium, etc.

There's no reason to give a baby water, generally. If you think there is a reason to give your baby water then you should speak to a doctor about it (for example, if your baby seems dehydrated....although in that case, depending on the age of the infant, the doctor is going to recommend an electrolyte balancing drink anyway and not water, which can also throw a baby's system out of whack by altering the balance of potassium and other minerals).

Answer 7

You shouldn't give a baby water until they are about 4 months old, and then only very little, 1-2 oz's a day. Besides being empty calories filling them up, it is dangerous because it can cause seizures. When your child is 6 months old you can give them water throughout the day but no more than 4 oz's in a 24hr. period.

Answer 8

I have always heard its a precautionary measure against dehydration....yes, i mean dehydration! something is different about the way a baby metabolizes water and can throw them into dehydration....but after about 3 - 4 months this passes. I would definately try the new baby on a tiny bit of water every now again after he has reached 3 - 4 months. I had a friedn who would pour a small amount of water from her Poland Spring Water bottle into the cap....then her 1 yr. old would drink the water from the cap....he loved that he was getting some of 'mommy's drink'

Answer 9

When Can Infants Have Water

Answer 10

DO not give your son water yet!!! Here's a little information from kellymom.com..

"
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.


/end quote

a good time to start is around the time you are introducing a cup. Let your child get sips from there. You don't have to wait until one year. Both of my children have only ever been offered water and milk/breastmilk/formula and my 3 year old and 1 year old drink a ton of water now.