is it safe to give water to a 2month old?

Question

i know that ur not supposed to, but what damage can it really do. I know that they say not to give cause they may get full on water and not their formula, but what if u only give like 1 oz, or small amounts like that. My mom is always telling me its ok, she gave me, but I go by what the Dr says, which is no. Has anyone gave water to their baby?

Answer 1

Just about every child raising issue and theory has proponents for it and against it. Additionally, because the recommendations change on a regular basis, it can be hard to know what is best. Babies have had water for years with no adverse reaction. However, there is no need to give a baby water. Current recommendations call for a baby to have only breast milk or formula until age 6 months. Formula is made with water and breast milk is about 90% water as well. So, any additional water simply isn't necessary. Will a little water harm your baby? Probably not, but there is a potential risk. "Drinking too much water can lead to a condition known as water intoxication and to a related problem resulting from the dilution of sodium in the body, hyponatremia. Water intoxication is most commonly seen in infants under six months of age and sometimes in athletes." This does not mean that all infants who drink water will suffer from this, but it does mean that there is a risk associated with water drinking in infants. I am mom to 4 kids. They are now 28, 26, almost 23, and 10. The practices, suggestions, and recommendations changed considerably in many areas between the time my older 3 were born and our youngest (surprise!) came along. My own grandmother and mother suggested I give them water as infants and in fact, they were given bottles of sugar water in the hospital. They all managed to grow into perfectly fine adults, but it does not change the fact that there are known risks today that were not known in earlier years. Your mother raised you in a time that is different than today. She knows that you drank water as an infant and turned out OK so it is hard for her to understand why babies shouldn't have water now. It is best to listen to your baby's doctor as (hopefully) he/she will be well-informed of the latest studies and recommendations. Ultimately, though, you are the parent and will want to weigh the potential risks of giving your infant water with the knowledge that babies do drink water and are just fine. Besides being mom to my 4 kids, I am also grandma to a 6 month old grandson who has never been given water. I also have been providing child care in my home for the last 20 years. My practices have changed over the years and I no longer give infants water without specific instructions from parents. Once a baby has started solids and is over 6 months, then water can be more safely introduced to the baby's diet.

Answer 2

Why would you give them water? Need to discuss how much formula with DR they feel is appropriate, and watch for clues baby is giving you. Many people overfeed baby because they don't see what is real problem with baby. We increased formula 1/2 ounce at a time when we increased formula and our baby is smaller than most but thriving. She isn't chunks but does have some meat on her.
We start by checking diaper, trying pacifier, and seeing if baby wants to be held if she cries and it is not normally her feeding time. She is on a schedule that she made of about three hours between feedings. It has been that way since about a month old. Try not to give water, be patient and see if you can check other things that might be wrong with baby. Also consult with your doctor. When parents tell you they did stuff and it didn't hurt you just remember that they didn't use car seats either!

Answer 3

It can actually do a lot of damage. A baby can mistake feeling full from water and won't ask to be fed... breastmilk (or formula) gives obviously a lot more nutrients than water alone.. and water can be filling to a baby temporarily causing the baby to miss feedings. This can cause insufficient weight gain. I know it sounds extreme, but there is a reason doctors say not to give a baby water.

Answer 4

Your baby is receiving all the water it needs within its formula. By giving your baby water it is taking the place of nutrition she needs from her formula during this growing period. Go to this link and print it out or email to your Mom. It actually has an excellent section for this same incident of where a woman's Mom said, "A baby needs water, I did it with you and you turned out OK."

Times change, we learn from trial and error. Hey, they didn't use car seats back in the day either but we know now how important those are don't we? Good luck with helping your Mom understand;)
http://pediatrics.about.com/od/weeklyquestion/a/04_baby_water.htm

Answer 5

Haha, it seems like you have more of a dilema with your mom than giving the baby water.
This is the first of several times when your mom will suggest something your doctor says no to. I've learned that its always safe to listen to the doctor... and if your mom disagrees then tell her to call the doctor and talk about it. :) I'm sure you love your mom, but you have to do what you feel comfortable with, its YOUR baby.

To answer your question more directly, water will not hurt the baby... yes it is bad if they fill up on that and not formula/breastmilk, but it won't hurt them. I didn't give my son water until he was 6+ months old.

Answer 6

you sound like me, when my son was just a few months old, my mom and grandmom were always telling me that my son needed water, my doctor was telling me that there is plenty of water in his formula (and breast milk too) ....i asked my doc if it was okay and he said an oz or so wouldn't hurt him, so when they asked if i was giving him water i would, "an oz or so, the doc said that plenty"

you just need to do what makes you feel comfortable, if you have any questions ask your doctor or his nurse, our moms think they always know what is best and say they did it with us, but some of the stuff that they with us, has sense been proven to be wrong to do now, trust your instinct and your doctor and learn to smile and nod at the older mothers

Answer 7

First of all, if it is not necessary, why are you wanting to?? I don't understand! She needs to eat and if you feed her even a 1 oz bottle of water, she is not going to eat because she thinks she has already eaten. It will also mess with her natural electrolytes in her system and throw those off which will then cause her to become ill....so just leave the water alone.

Answer 8

As long as you are not giving them too much then I think it would be ok. But what is your reason for giving the baby water? Breastmilk or formula is all they need. They won't get thirsty if you are feeding them often enough.

Answer 9

No, because breast milk and formula help aid in brain development and water does not. I know there are other reasons, but they escape me at the moment (I am working 3 jobs and am exhausted) My son's doctor told me to only give Pedialyte when he could not eat because the electrolytes aid in brain development.

Answer 10

Mine was such a little piggy that we couln't get her to sleep without her bottle, and she hated the paci (nothing coming out I guess) so we started giving her an ounce or two of water just to prevent extra pounds. A normally healthy child does not have a problem consuming small amounts of water. As long as your child is not underweight and still consumes the right amount of food for her age she will be fine.