do babies need water?

Question

my mother in law says adults need water so babies do too. however, my doesnt really like it. I added a bit of apple juice (just a bit) and he loved it and didnt seem to scream in hunger as fast. Do babies need it or not? Mine is only 11 weeks but in general I would like to know. His age and older????

Answer 1

I think that babies do need water. I give my daughter an ounce or two a day. Different pediatricians will tell you different things about water, some say they need it, some say they dont. I personally live in AZ and feel it is important to give my daughter water. It is a newer finding that babies need only breastmilk. If you ask your mother I am sure that she will say she fed you water. If you feed your baby too much water they can get water intoxication, but that would be from feeding them many bottles of water. Giving baby a little water everyday is not going to do any harm. Do what you feel is best!

Answer 2

No! In fact, you can tell your mother-in-law that the sucking action required actually BURNS far too many calories that your son actually needs at this stage. Furthermore, supplementing with water satisfies his need to suck without proving him with the fat, calories and actual nutrician he requires, so in essence, it's a bit like starving him. Adding juice is no better, since even 100% juice contains sugars and empty calories not intended for an infant. Even for older babies and toddlers, the recommended limit is only a few ounces per day. And the American Academy of Pediatrics clearly states that juice should not be given to any child under six months of age. Here's an excerpt from their most recent warnings, and I'll link the full article below:

"Many fruit juices do not contain any significant amount of protein, fat, minerals or vitamins other than vitamin C. But they do contain a large amount of carbohydrate (sugar) which if consumed in large quantities can result in diarrhea, abdominal pain, bloating and flatulence. Also, most juices do not contain fiber - so fruit juice offers no real nutritional advantage over whole fruit."

http://www.aap.org/advocacy/archives/mayjuice.htm

Prior to six months of age, breast milk (or formula, since you didn't specify) is the ONLY diet required. In fact, many pediatricians are even discouraging starting solids any earlier, due to an increase in certain allergies that can be aggrevated by an earlier introduction. And even when grain cereals or first stage foods are offered between four and six months, they offer little actual nourishment and simply serve as "practice" to get the chilld accustomed to "solid" foods.

Water, no matter what anyone tells you, is not only not required for an infant your son's age. It is highly discouraged and potentially harmful. Educate your mother-in-law, and perhaps she won't offer such unfounded, outdated suggestions in the future. The AAP's site should provide her with any information she might need, so she won't have to take your word for it. ;)

Good luck!

Answer 3

Hi, I only used tap water, and all of my children are fine...and quite bright. Baby water is purified water with added flouride. In some areas, where the water is unfourinated, or just yucky...you will know if you live in one of these places. People prefer to buy bottled water...and bottled baby water. However, the drinking water/tap water is not harmful to your child. It is just a matter of personal preferance. Anyway, you have to think: Bottled water has only been around for 15 years or so. And, you, yourself, probably drank water directly out of the tap. good luck!

Answer 4

No, babies do not need water. My fiances grandmother tried telling us we needed to be giving our daughter water between feedings. I checked with the pediatrician and she said that babies get enough water through their formula/breast milk. Giving a baby extra, unneeded water can flush out the nutrients that the formula/breast milk provides. She said it does more harm than good. Also apple juice is full of sugar, even if it's watered down a 6 month old baby should not get more than 2 oz a day, so seeing how your baby is only 11 weeks i don't think its a good idea to be giving you baby juice. It can cause digestion problems. Save juice for when solid begin.

Answer 5

your baby shouldn't even have juice at 11 weeks.
If you are giving him formula then he is getting water already and when he starts getting some food or juice usually not for a couple months. If your breastfeeding he is getting everything he will need.
Talk to his pediatrician especially before you ever give something new to your baby. Because a lot of things cant be handled by there digestive system.

Answer 6

I read in a parenting magazine that giving babies water throws off their electrolytes. They recommended that if it was hot out to only give them the milk that they normally drink, more frequently. My pediatrician told me that if they are constipated, you can give only one ounce of water and no more, which means that it is used in small amounts and only because they need a little extra help. I personally stayed away from sweets like juice until they were at least past 6 months.

Answer 7

You should never give an infant any food without checking with a pediatrician first.

My youngest is 3 and the pediatrician doesn't allow water until well over 6 months, too much in very bad for them and he said they get all the fluid/water they need from the breast milk or formula. As for juices, never for an infant.

Guidelines change and I always tell my mother in law that we do differently than when her kids were little because we know differently now.

Too much water can be toxic and letting a baby cry too long (more than 5 minutes) trains there body to in anxious which can lead to high blood pressure and other things.

Neither of my children had water or was left to cry and both are very polite, well adjusted and anything but spoiled.

Best advice is check with your doctor and follow your gut/heart when it comes to your children.

Answer 8

No, babies do not need water. Breastmilk/formula is enough and all they need. 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 9

Okay, first off, your baby is too young to have apple juice right now. And babies don't need water at this age, they get plenty of it through their formula. Don't worry about what your mother-in-law says if you're worried about something, ask your child's doctor.

Answer 10

Damn your M-I-L needs to leave u be. As long as you drink plenty of water (while BF) then your baby will get it. If bottle fed, then baby gets water through the formula. 11 weeks is a bit young to start a baby out on just water, they need more substance.

good luck