Community› The Bump Month Clubs› January 2016 Moms
January 2016 Moms
New Discussion

Felt So Stupid

ChrissyD1203ChrissyD1203 member
in January 2016 Moms
I was hanging out with some friends this weekend (who all know I'm pregnant). One of the women has an adorable six month old who was playing with my water bottle. I opened it to give him a sip and my friend freaked out ---- apparently everyone knows that water kills babies!! How can I learn this stuff - I need a list of things that you wouldn't think are fatal to your child but actually are? I asked her and she said - water and also honey, but I'm so freaked out I'm going to make a huge mistake!
Report Reply to Post

Re: Felt So Stupid

  • SnoopylovesbelleSnoopylovesbelle member
    Water doesn't kill babies it's just not recommended that you give them straight water to drink before a year. When my DD got sick with the stomach flu at 8 months I couldn't give her formula so she drank water and pedialtye for a few days.

    Honey should not be given before at least a year.

    You aren't going to make a terrible mistake. You will learn as you go. Get a baby basics book that's simple and straight forward so you have a starting point.
    Report Reply
  • Loading the player...
  • alyssawalshalyssawalsh member
    Once you have the baby there will be tons of doctors appointments. A pediatrician will tell you anything you need to know at each stage. Also if you're ever in doubt after you have the baby call the pedi they're used to new moms asking questions! You'll do great!!
    Report Reply
  • Jamilla9Jamilla9 member
    The further you get in pregnancy the more you will learn. Also, as other people have stated your pedi will keep you in the loop
    Report Reply
  • Emott13Emott13 member
    I knew that people recommended that you not give your baby water because it doesn't have a lot of nutrition, but it wasn't until a few months ago (WELL after my LO was over a year old) that I learned that water poisoning is a threat. Even those of us with kids already learn new stuff every day, don't worry!
    And @alyssawalsh is right, call your pedi if you're ever in doubt. I can't tell you how many times I called stuff in at 2am that I'm just SURE the docs had a good laugh about later, but they were very polite and informative on the phone. We all go through it!
    Report Reply
  • FlyingtroubleFlyingtrouble member
    Oh my, talk about slight overreaction! A sip isn't going to hurt anyone. When I had my first, she struggled to bf initially and the AC in the hospital stopped working so it was boiling hot. I gave her drops of water from my finger to keep her hydrated, she was one day old and honestly it was the right thing to do and I just knew in my bones it was what she needed.
    She calmed right down, cooled down and was able to bf so much better! So technically apart from a bit of colostrum the first thing she ever had was sips of water!

    You'll know what to do when you need to do it. I used to be terrified I wouldn't and it just happens. Get a baby book and have a read, my favourite is an Australian one called "baby love" it's ACE! But honestly didn't pick it up again after she was about a week old.
    Report Reply
  • Knottie1452445632Knottie1452445632 member
    Er what? I never heard of this! I have 3 happy healthy children and expecting my 4th. Water poisoning seriously! I know they aren't meant to have bottled water before 6 months but I assumed it was because it's not boiled and might have microscopic germs in - but no water at all really? We are advised in the uk to give cool boiled water if they are dehydrated and refusing milk. My baby daughter was born last June during a heat wave, I didn't give her water as was told not to - looking back I wish I'd dine what someone else suggested - sips off a finger. She didn't wee for the first 48 hours!!!!

    Don't worry about the other stuff it will all come over time xxxx
    Report Reply
  • ChipMonsterChipMonster member
    I'm pretty sure the guideline is no water before 6 months, not 1 year. Obviously you don't give your child water instead of milk at that point but they can have a little bit of water with their meal or if they are hot or thirsty. Even before 6 months, a couple of sips won't harm baby.
    I didn't even think of giving DS water until probably 8 months because I was still breastfeeding him often!
    Report Reply
  • skfgskfg member
    As others have said, you"ll have an instant resource in your pedi. I really like Dr.Sears, practical measured advice. As far as water, I gave it to Lo occasionally before six months of age. He was born in the summer. He always seemed hungry but could only stomach so much BM/formula. At a certain point he threw it back up. Water in small quantities soothed him esp after coming back in from the heat. Babies will let you know what they need too and will stop when they had enough.
    Report Reply
  • BBEA2006BBEA2006 member
    That is crazy!  There are too many do's and don'ts related to babies these days IMO. 

    Baby Birthday Ticker TickerBaby Birthday Ticker TickerBabyFruit Ticker
    Report Reply
  • steph_pegasussteph_pegasus member
    Sorry your friend overreacted like that. As many PPs have done, I also gave DD water. She watched me drinking and I asked if she wanted to try it, then let her taste it. She was probably around 7 mos.
    Honestly, it was probably less about it being water and more about a non-parent offering food/drink to the baby that made her freak out. We all have our protective mama bear moments when it comes to our babies.
    Honey is a no-no because it has antibacterial properties and can kill gut bugs rapidly in such a new digestive system as infants have. You'll learn as you go, the ped will go over it all with you. Don't be afraid to ask questions even if you think you ahould already know the answer.
    Report Reply
  • lwebleylwebley member
    Water out of a water bottle is fine at 6 months. It's not like it's her primary source of fluids. Honey is a no no because it can cause bauchelism in infants due to their immature digestive track. Honey was my pediatrician a only "no no".
    Report Reply
  • holidayemmaholidayemma member
    I didn't know either of those. You saved my baby. Thanks :D
    Report Reply
  • JanMommy2under2JanMommy2under2 member
    I still haven't given my 15 month old honey, I thought unpasterized honey was a no-no before 2 years old?
    Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker
    Report Reply
  • jennaymg13jennaymg13 member
    Water in moderation is fine. It's when stupid moms give more water than bm or formula and put the baby at risk. I live in south Florida and with my first our pediatrician actually recommended a little bit of water here and there, to help with constipation and prevent dehydration. Don't feel stupid!!! Your friend was rude to react like that.
    Report Reply
  • aphilli8aphilli8 member
    You need to tell your friends to calm the eff down.

    Babies are a lot of work, but you'd be surprised how hard it is to really screw up. The first thing my nurse said to me when I was nervous about taking my daughters home was "eh, they're pretty durable".

    You'll be fine.
    Report Reply
  • SummerOHSummerOH member
    JanMommy2under2 said:
    I still haven't given my 15 month old honey, I thought unpasterized honey was a no-no before 2 years old? 
    Everything I've read, and also what my kids' pedi recommends, is no honey under one year.

    DD 12/20/99, DS 12/14/12, M/C 9/2014, M/C 1/2015


    Report Reply
  • ALM92ALM92 member
    I really wouldn't worry. My little one was really constipated when he was first born. We were told a tiny but of boiled water would help or to water down his formula. He wouldn't drink the watered down formula so we gave him the cooled boiled water. He is now a happy healthy 2 and a half year old. If this one has the same problem, I won't hesitate to do the same. It's just excessive water you shouldn't give them :)
    Report Reply
Sign In or Register to comment.
Choose Another Board
Search Boards
"
"