giving babies water ?

vicky_d

A friend of mine has started to give her 8 week old baby water in between feedings, she said that her doctor told her to do this to 'tide him over' until his next feed. When I was talking to her about Kian (my baby) wanting to eat quite often she suggested that I do this too. I figure that if my baby is crying beacuse he is hungry I should feed him rather than give water which has no nutrients - my friend disagreed with me.

Just wondering if anyone does this or has heard of it and what you think about it?! 

mjcleve

Babies don't need water!  Especially at 8 weeks old.

citygirl_

Absolutely NO water until 6 months.

habsoilers

vicky_d:

I figure that if my baby is crying beacuse he is hungry I should feed him rather than give water which has no nutrients - my friend disagreed with me.

 

I absolutele agree with you. There is no way I'd be giving my baby water to "tide her over". If she's hungry I will feed her. Shame on your friend's doctor.

lovely40

Our ped. told us never to give baby water (until 6 months) - I agree, if baby is hungry, feed baby!

vicky_d

I agree, but she semed to think I was over reacting when I told her that I would not be doing it...

Parks2Be

Per my pedi, no water. Period. I trust her. I would NOT be giving my 8 week old water. If she is hungry, she gets her milk.?

karukaru

Tell your friend to do research. SUch a small baby can die or have brain damage from drinking water. Babie's kidneys are not developed well enough so the water makes them flush the potassium out of their system and that could be extremely dangerous. Do NOT do it

vicky_d

I will most def tell her to do some research and get a second opinion - I knew I was right but just wanted to double check before I told here...thanks! 

soontobeBailey

there was actually a amall article in pareting magazine a month or so ago that said not to give babies water because it can be pretty dangerous for them. My (old) pedi said to give my baby water between feedings...that is why he is my old pedi

anna7602

I argued with my parents about this very issue when I first started bfing. Babies do NOT need water and giving them some does not "hold them over" since it has no nutritional value for them. Breastmilk is 88% water. There are a bunch of articles that explain why babies don't need water. Here are some:

https://pediatrics.about.com/od/weeklyquestion/a/04_baby_water.htm

https://www.kellymom.com/nutrition/solids/baby-water.html

 

brandonswife07

my pedi told me we could give apple juice & water "in between feedings" (he means every 3 hrs) but we feed him when he's hungry.  not on a schedule.  i just smiled & nodded.