when do u start giving water to a newborn?

Answer 1

years ago, it was thought that infants needed water. This, for a few years now, has been proven untrue.. the only thing that any infant needs until about 4 -6 months is breastmilk or formula.. Water has no nutritional value & infants at this age, it is very critical to get all the fatty acids they need.. if you give them water you are likely to deprive them for much needed vitamins & they will also likely be underweight. Also they're brains NEED the breast milk or formula every meal to help them to keep growing that little brain, & eyes & such that are growing at such a fast rate right now.. at about 4-6 months you can start your infant on infant cereal mixed with breastmilk or formula.. never give water to an infant until it is at least 8-10 months of age.. & only then as an occasional drink...

Answer 2

Giving an infant a few ounces of water a day is not harmful, but it is totally unnecessary if you are breast feeding or using a properly prepared formula.

Grandmothers often perpetuate the idea that it is necessary to give babies water, because that is what doctors used to tell them. Indeed, when infant formulas consisted of evaporated milk, water and Karo syrup, it was true, because many preparations were too strong, especially during these hot days of summer. This was never a problem with breast fed babies, and is not a problem if you use a properly prepared modern infant formula like Similac, Enfamil, etc. By properly prepared, I mean don't add extra concentrate or extra powder, just follow the instructions.

Answer 3

Never to a newborn. They get all the water from their formula/breastmilk. Once they can drink from a cup, they can drink water, after 6 months of age.

Answer 4

Theres no need for it. Wait until the baby is around 3 months then you can give them about 1 extra ounce a day. Dont try to save formula by giving the baby water. That deprives the baby of nutrients.

Answer 5

you don't give it to a newborn at all - breastmilk or formula should be enough.

breastmilk is certainly all they need - some people will suggest a baby may need extra water as well as formula on a really hot day, but this isn't a universal belief.

you can introduce water as a drink when you start them on sollids but it needs to be cooled, boiled water.

Answer 6

you cannot give water to a newborn. My ped told me that with breastmilk or formula they get whatever they need including water. He explain to me that water will only "sweep" away nutrients from his intestins and make a baby poo more. He told me to wait until she was at least 4 months old.

Answer 7

Your baby does not need water, breast milk is all he/she needs for food and hydration. Water fills a baby up with absolutely no nutrition. Also, Water supplementation in an infant can lead to oral water intoxication. When this happens, the sodium in his bloodstream becomes so diluted that the baby's body is unable to function properly. This can result in an altered mental state, abnormally low body temperature, bloating, and even seizures.

Answer 8

I think within a couple of weeks of a child being born. I don't see the harm in that. Water will help the baby digest better. And from what my mom tells me, baby formula contains a lot of iron, and that itself is what causes the hiccups and it warms their bodies too much [sorry, I tried to translate it from Spanish the best I could].

I don't see the harm in water, as long as you continue to feed them regularly.

Answer 9

My ped told me a baby doesn't need anything before 6 months and most people i know tell me the same thing. But really if your baby can handle the formula and u feel confortable giving it than do it. I would just try a little bit like a ounce and see how he takes to it.

Answer 10

I gave my son water (2 oz a day) when we turned 3 months old. But I didn't cut down regular feeding, he ate the same amount of milk. Believe it or not, his baby acne went away must faster after we fed him water.