Can I give LO water?

Sarah_Fay · June 2010

What has your all's pediatricians said about this. LO will be 4 weeks on Monday.

Starfish113 · June 2010

Just wondering.. why would you need to?

Sarah_Fay · June 2010

Starfish113:
Just wondering.. why would you need to?

It is extremely hot here and we take evening walks. Not sure if formula is enough to keep him hydrated. He is in between feedings right now and we just got back from walking. Any suggestions on what to do to keep him cool and hydrated would be appreciated. Maybe I just need to give up on my walking.

cherylnicole · June 2010

I thought you weren't supposed to give water until 4-6 months-I take DS on walks, but we have to go in the morning because it's way too hot here in the evening to go..maybe you could change the time you walk?

Starfish113 · June 2010

Sarah_Fay:
Starfish113:
Just wondering.. why would you need to?
It is extremely hot here and we take evening walks. Not sure if formula is enough to keep him hydrated. He is in between feedings right now and we just got back from walking. Any suggestions on what to do to keep him cool and hydrated would be appreciated. Maybe I just need to give up on my walking.

I'm pretty sure water is harmful to them before 6 months. Formula is mostly water, and is enough to keep him hydrated. If he's hungry, maybe give him an ounce between feedings?

teach2183 · June 2010

No, it's not needed until you start solids. You might need to adjust the time of your walk. You could give LO a bath to cool him down.

Ashley&David · June 2010

I asked my pedi this and he said that formula or breastmilk has all of the water that LO needs in it. He said that giving water would just be an empty filler with no nutritional value.

VampyAuthor · June 2010

Starfish113:
Sarah_Fay:

Starfish113:
Just wondering.. why would you need to?

It is extremely hot here and we take evening walks. Not sure if formula is enough to keep him hydrated. He is in between feedings right now and we just got back from walking. Any suggestions on what to do to keep him cool and hydrated would be appreciated. Maybe I just need to give up on my walking.

I'm pretty sure water is harmful to them before 6 months. Formula is mostly water, and is enough to keep him hydrated. If he's hungry, maybe give him an ounce between feedings?

This is kind of what I was told.

Blessed8/21/04 · June 2010

No! Pedi told me it can give babies seizures.

ArinR · June 2010

At 6 weeks, my pedi said that it was ok to give 1oz a day to LO between feedings if I wanted to, but not to cut his calories at all and stick to regular feedings. I dont give water every day, but every few days if we are out a lot, he may get his 1oz. Maybe just ask your pedi what they think since everyone will say something different, and YOUR pedi knows YOUR baby :-) Good luck!!

LyndsayQ · June 2010

Ashley&David:
I asked my pedi this and he said that formula or breastmilk has all of the water that LO needs in it. He said that giving water would just be an empty filler with no nutritional value.

This, exactly. LO's that age have very small stomach and only "foods" w/ nutritional value should be given for several months.

Sarah_Fay · June 2010

Thanks ladies! No water it is. I appreciate the advice and wisdom.

CalMum_Momma · June 2010

Our doc also said that it is ok on really hot days if we think DS is getting dehydrated that we can give him an oz of water, but in addition to his regular feedings, and best in between so it doesn't make him too full to nurse regularly.

ConnieBarnes · June 2010

1st of all- WHAT THE HECK DO YOU USE TO MAKE YOUR BOTTLES? WATER!!! And why would water hurt your baby? If you are formula feeding, you are using WATER!!! My son is 6 weeks old. I have given him water between feeding if he gets a little fussy. He's still here He's still healthy. My doctors office also told me that using tapwater was ok too!

If I were you, I'd give your baby water if it's hot. It's killer hot here too and sometimes my baby's mouth seems kinda sticky like he's dehydrated-SO, I give him a little water.

ConnieBarnes · June 2010

If formula is mostly water, then why would water be dangerous??? Idea

IrishBrideND · June 2010

ArinR:
At 6 weeks, my pedi said that it was ok to give 1oz a day to LO between feedings if I wanted to, but not to cut his calories at all and stick to regular feedings. I dont give water every day, but every few days if we are out a lot, he may get his 1oz. Maybe just ask your pedi what they think since everyone will say something different, and YOUR pedi knows YOUR baby :-) Good luck!!

do your own research. Plain water can be VERY dangerous for babies.

Jessgran · June 2010

ConnieBarnes:

1st of all- WHAT THE HECK DO YOU USE TO MAKE YOUR BOTTLES? WATER!!! And why would water hurt your baby? If you are formula feeding, you are using WATER!!! My son is 6 weeks old. I have given him water between feeding if he gets a little fussy. He's still here He's still healthy. My doctors office also told me that using tapwater was ok too!

If I were you, I'd give your baby water if it's hot. It's killer hot here too and sometimes my baby's mouth seems kinda sticky like he's dehydrated-SO, I give him a little water.

First of all, chill out. Secondly, you use plenty of water to make formula, any extra could be harmful to LO. Under your logic, if you've been drinking rum and cokes all night, it's just fine to have a few extra glasses of straight rum, since after all, what have you been mixing with your coke...

IrishBrideND · June 2010

ConnieBarnes:
If formula is mostly water, then why would water be dangerous???

The issue is water by itself.

mac1178 · June 2010

ConnieBarnes:
If formula is mostly water, then why would water be dangerous???

This is from Kellymom.com, but it applies to both breastfed and formula fed babies:

For newborns (especially under 4-5 weeks), water supplements can be riskyBabies under two months should not be given supplemental water.Water supplements are associated with increased bilirubin levels in jaundiced newborns.Too much water can lead to a serious condition called oral water intoxication.Water supplements fill baby up without adding calories, so water supplements can result in weight loss (or insufficient weight gain) for the baby.

charlies-angel · June 2010

Kellymom also says this:

"Note: Formula fed babies do not routinely need extra water. Some sources do suggest offering water to a formula fed baby when it is very hot outside (though baby may prefer to get extra water from more frequent feeding), or when baby is sick with a fever (consult baby's doctor for guidelines)."

So I would consult with a doctor if you live in a place that gets very hot often. My doctor did say no water, but I would consult with pedi and follow their directives. A lot of older people (aunts, mom, grandmas, etc) cannot believe it when I tell them that my pedi said no water. Apparently most people our age were given water as babies.

Bride2bMO · June 2010

ConnieBarnes:
1st of all- WHAT THE HECK DO YOU USE TO MAKE YOUR BOTTLES? WATER!!! And why would water hurt your baby? If you are formula feeding, you are using WATER!!! My son is 6 weeks old. I have given him water between feeding if he gets a little fussy. He's still here He's still healthy. My doctors office also told me that using tapwater was ok too!

If I were you, I'd give your baby water if it's hot. It's killer hot here too and sometimes my baby's mouth seems kinda sticky like he's dehydrated-SO, I give him a little water.

Its not that the water itself is harmful or toxic. It's that it causes an imbalance in their system. Even adults can die from water intoxication, but that's fairly rare for adults. It's a much bigger risk to a baby--it has to do with kidney function. BM or formula is all the hydration they need at this age. There are many sad stories about uninformed mothers trying to stretch their budget by diluting formula with more than the recommended amount of water, with heartbreaking results.

BelleIsa · June 2010

My DD gets hickups about 10 times a day and when I can't get rid of them I'll give give her one or two sucks from a bottle filled with water and that seems to work.

I asked my pedi about it and she said that was okay.

I've also given her a little bit when her mouth looks dry (again, one or two sucks from a bottle). We live in Beijing where it's VERY hot and dry and dehydration is a big issue. Again, my pedi said this was fine.

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