do u give your baby water at all? my son is 8 wks. some say i should be giving him water others say no?

Answer 1

You should not give a baby water that young. Firstly, breast milk and formula both have sufficient quantities of water for your baby's needs. The second reason is, infants can become "full" after drinking water, and in turn, not consume enough calories of beastmilk or formula. This could result in your baby not gaining weight appropriately.

I would hold off on water until your baby is eating solids; and then, give it to your baby in a sippy cup.

Answer 2

The Academy of Pediatrics does not recommend giving water until about 6 months. Infants do not need extra water for any reason. They get enough through breastmilk or formula. Water has no nutrition. If you give your son water it will fill up his stomach and he won't have room for the breastmilk or formula where he gets all of his nutrition from. If he doesn't get enough of those nutrients, you could end up with a very sick or failure to thrive baby on your hands. Do not give your baby water until your pediatrician gives the ok to do so!

Answer 3

Some people are clueless on this.. Water will throw off the electrolytes in babies.. They are not little people, and so what rules go for us go for them! They do not need water!! Not that young! Maybe later say, 8 months, if it's a hot summer! That's about it! He is getting all he needs from his regular feedings..Look into this yourself, and do the research

Answer 4

At eight weeks the baby should still be breast feeding. The nutrients that the baby needs are there or in the formula. You don't need to start giving the baby water now but it doesn't hurt to do so.

Answer 5

Depends whether he is breat or bottle fed.
If he is breast fed he will get enough from the breats milk and need no extra water. If he is bottle fed and drinks as much as is recommeded for his weight and age (see guidance on tin) and he is still thirsty, you can give some boiled cooled water (or VERY diluted chamomile tea is good to calm a colicky baby). If in doubt at all or if the baby does not seem to be thriving or putting on weighlt at a steady rate, see you health visitor for more advice.

Answer 6

Your son does not need any water or juice until he starts solid food as long as he is getting plenty of formula or breast milk. Even then he will only need two to three ounces of water *out of a cup* with his meal to help digest it.

If you are concerned about dehydration or constipation talk to your pediatrician.

Answer 7

Babies don't need water, but my daughter spit up a lot and I found that giving her an ounce or 2 after she got sick helped her not to get spit up again...good luck!

Answer 8

They don't need it, but it won't hurt, unless you give them to much (and for infants thats not a whole lot) because they can get water poisoning, like that woman did awhile back doing the radio contest.....it happens very rarely, but it does happen.

Answer 9

My ped. said no water at this age. I thought he wasn't getting enough to eat at the first week at daycare...however we later realized he was eating out of comfort not hunger. We now use a pacifier and he's fine. They also said, you shouldn't refuse him formula/breast milk at this age.

Answer 10

My daughter is four months old and my doctor said nothing but either breastmilk or formula (I asked the same question). He told me this is all she needs right now. Just what he said, other docs may have different opinions. Good luck!!