ok... so i heard that its bad to give babies straight water... i was told that it poisons them... and i was just wondering if thats tru... and what are you thoughts on it :]
Hello,
First off i want to congrat you on going back to school and graduating, I know a loooooooot of girl who dont. As far as giving your baby water it is fine. It actually help when the baby is constipated.Im 24 and my daughter is 4 years old so if you need any advice, feel free to hit me up
Hi M.,
Congratulations on your baby and on graduating.
My pediatrician told me not to give babies younger than 6 months any water. They get all the water they need from breastmilk or formula, and they need the calories in the BM or formula. Although water is not poison, too much water will overwhelm their kidneys and they can die from water toxicity. Generally, your ped will say no water, or very, very little (less than an ounce at a time, no more than a few ounces a day), until the baby starts solid foods at six months. Even at six months, your baby still needs primarily breastmilk or formula since they won't start getting enough calories from food to replace what they're getting in liquids until they are between 9 and 12 months of age.
My son was 8 weeks premature, and what you need to consider is the 'adjusted age' of your child.
If you have feeding concerns, I would ask you son's doctor. If you are breastfeeding your milk already has water in it and maintains your baby's hydration. If you are giving formula, ask your son's doctor.
I was informed not to give water until after my son was 8 months old, so that would have been 6 months adjusted.
How old is your baby? Are you breast feeding or using formula? Water won't harm your baby in small amounts, but if he is very small, it isn't necessary. I don't know what a pediatrician would recommend, but I didn't start giving my 3 kids water in a sippy cup until they were about 8-ish months old. I nursed all my kids, so I know that they get all the hydration they need from breast milk. Our bodies are amazing... the initial milk that comes out is very watery, designed to hydrate, and the later milk is thicker and richer. If you are formula feeding, you are already giving him water mixed in his bottles.
All that being said, if you want to give him some water, it shouldn't be a problem. If he's really little still, though, just don't let him get filled up on water such that he doesn't want to eat.
It sounds like you are an amazing young lady and that you are doing a great job. Congrats on graduating!
hi M., I believe all babies need water, it helps delut the amonia in their urine cools gums when their teething, and is just over all good for them, my kids are all grown now but they all had water as babies. J. L.
It depends on how old your baby is.
You said he was premature... you should really be asking your Pediatrician.
For the first year of life, breastmilk/formula is the PRIMARY source of nutrition for a baby. If you give baby water, then don't make it his primary liquid source.
If you give too much water, you will be substituting this for the breastmilk/formula he should be having. They are also hydrated this way. Or, the water will make him too full to nurse/feed. You do NOT want to replace his breastmilk/formula with water, or use water instead of breastmilk/formula.
If you give them too much water, it will leech his body of essential salts/and nutrients. And then he will be too full for his feedings.
A baby is meant to have breastmilk/formula..... only until about 6 months old then water is "introduced." But even then, it does not become their only liquid or nutritional daily intake.
You best ask the Pediatrician...
M.,
Yes it is ok to give your baby water. Can I suggest you invest in a good baby book so you will have a place to research all the things you will hear about how to take care of your baby. It really helped me sort the fact from fiction! Best of luck to you and don't be afraid to ask alot of questions of your doctor and his staff. And we are always here for you at mamasource!
M.
Hi M.,
When my son was 2 months old, our Pedi said to give him no more than 1 ounce of water a day. He was formula fed and since the water was mixed in with the formula already, he was receiving plenty of water that way. My mother in law was the one hell bent on giving him water.
Congratulations on graduation high school!
-Char
my daughters pedi said no water till 6 months old. since your baby was a premie you should talk with your babies dr and see when they suggest that you give your baby water. if your baby is eating solids (fruits and veggies and cereal) then it may be ok to give him water. if you do decide to give him water no more then 4 ounces because they do get water in their formula. hope this helps :)
HI M.,
Congrats on your graduation and your little precious baby!
Ok this is what I understand-that babies should get their primary nutrition through breast milk (or formula). If their little tummies are filled with water-which has no nutrition, there is less room for the nutritious stuff. Now that my baby is 8 months and eating other foods besides breast milk, I give her a little bit of water now and then. Her primary liquid is breast milk though.
BUT-water is NOT poison to babies.
If you are very concerned, a call to his pediatrician's office will put your mind at ease.
