Giving Water to a 11 Week Old?

No, never ever give an infant water. They are getting all the liquid they need from the formula. Because they are so small, even a little bit of water can throw their electrolyte balance off and cause serious problems.
Most people start rice at 4-6 months, with 6 being more common. I recommend that you get a good baby care book. "The Baby Book" by Dr Sears is my favorite. You can usually find it at a resale shop (Half Price Books), for cheap.

When my grandson was that age, the Dr. told my daughter in law not to give him water. He said he gets enough in the formula and that too much water is dangerous for a young child, that it flushes out what they need.

water probably wont hurt him if he only gets in once in a while, but really, he's too young to be getting anything other then formula and it's recomended to wait till atleast 4 but preferably 6 months.

NO water! Formula is plenty. Babies can get very sick from water intoxication at this age. Formula is powder plus water, so he's getting plenty of hydration and nutrition. Maybe in the heat of the summer he could have a little but not now. I'd wait until 6 months or so. Also, depending on the pediatrician, they usually recommend you wait until 6 months to start a baby on rice cereal. They don't need it until then and can't really move the cereal from the front of their mouth to the back yet. Ask you pediatrician to see what they recommend. Good luck!

Never give an infant water, it's not good for them. any water he needs he'll get from his milk ( formula or breastmilk both provide this). Cereal shouldn't be started until 6 months or so , and then it's only for texture it provides no real nutritional value. And don't let them talk you into putting it into his bottle to " make him sleep longer at night" that's an old wives tale and isn't good for them.

He Only needs formula, formula, and more formula for now. No water, and doctors will tell you not to start on cereal or baby food till they are 4 to 6 months old. Hope this helps.

Hi A.

I gave my kids rice cereal at 5 months. Formula is enough but if he has started eating baby food (veggies and fruit) water is really good to give him, about 3oz. Do you plan on taking him off formula at 12mths.

Usually the water in the formula is enough ( I know with breastmilk, there is no need for anything else, and I think that holds true to formula as well).
6 months is the general guide for introduction of any food product. If you introduce before then, you increase his chance for food allergies. The digestive is not developed and cannot handle it.
J

Wait till she is 4-6 mos to start water and cereal.

Ditto with so many of the other moms. Baby needs no water formula and breast milk have enough water in them...your baby will not have bad kidneys or anything.

Rice cereal is a toss up...I have to start giving mine a bit in the formula like a teaspoon around 2-3 months old they were way to hungry. Advise on this varies I was advise by a 6 times mother who was my first childs ped...I figured she knew what she talked about since she had done it 6 times herself. Others say non until 4 months old....maybe ask your ped and do some online research...you'll figure out what is best for you and your child.

Oh, my head! My head hurts from hearing my mother say over and over and over again,"You need to give that baby some water!" and me telling her over and over again,"No, I don't. He nurses/drinks milk so he gets plenty of water." This went on from the day he was born and was finally put to rest a month ago at his 12-month checkup. I asked my pediatrician if I need to give my toddler water, and she said,"No. He gets plenty of water from breastmilk or milk (formula has plenty of water, too). It is not necessary. And, no, his kidneys will not suffer from lack of water. (Yes, my mom actually believes theat.) He can drink up to a few ounces of water a day, but no more. Since your son needs the calories, just forgo the water and feed him only milk (to drink)."

So, there's your answer! Cross you fingers that my dear mother will stop pestering me about it too!

Also, from what I've read, giving too much water to a baby can cause some dangerous problems (i.e., water intoxication) and will fill up the baby, thus reducing the vital calories a baby needs everyday. If I were you, I'd avoid that route.

Finally, you may want to wait until your little one is 6 months old before giving the rice cereal to help his digestive system mature before feeding him solids. I know a mother who fed her son solids early and he developed some serious food allergies. She waited until 6 months with her second, and that baby developed no food allergies.

Hi A., I have a little different take on your question- I definitely agree, no cereal until 5 months old, your little one's digestive system is not ready until that time. However, my ped said offer water OCCASIONALLY, just a few sips, and this is good for babies. If they take it fine, if they don't, fine too. He encourages offering it maybe once or twice daily, just to get them used to the taste, and because his philosophy that even as babies, we sometime thirst for water and we are not always hungry (meaning for milk). He did not encourage giving babies at this age more than an occasional sip- not filling a bottle with water and substituting it for milk. Hope this helps! F.

I am no expert, however, water is good for you and should not be bad for your child. It should not be used as a supplement for formula, however, I introduced my children to water when they were weeks old. They all turned out okay! I breasfed and so they were already getting water in the milk and they also get it with the formula. Too many children are not exposed to water and won't drink it unless it is "sweetened" in some kind of way. That can creat a problem later on when they really should have it.

Ask you pediatrician, I am sure every baby is different, however, water has never hurt anyone...

LOL & good luck with your precious one...

Hi A. and congratulations for your baby joy!

I will tell you my experience, which has been a positive one, with a healthy, well developed baby.

At about 3 months it's way too early to give your baby rice cereal, my pediatrician advised me to start when my baby was 5 months old, not before then.

Until that time, breast milk or formula will be your baby's food and it'll provide for him water as well, as you mix formula with water and breast milk has water as well.

I say there's nothing wrong if you want to give your baby some water, just make sure he gets his formula first, so water(which lacks in nutrients) will not fill him up and make it hard for you to feed him.

I heard different things from different people about when it's appropriate to introduce baby food to babies, but this has been my experience and it's worked for my child, who has not developed food intolerances/allergies, has a perfect weight and has learned gradually to appreciate all the foods because i did not introduced them too early. Good luck!

He needs nothing but formula for almost 6 months. In fact, too much water can be harmful at this age.

If you are preparing the formula correctly, there is no need to supplement with water.

No definitely not water their kidneys can not handle more water than in the formula right now. Should start on cereal about 4months

I wonder if someone has been suggesting that you give your baby water. My mother-in-law was telling me that giving water and juice to an infant was in vogue when she raised her kids. So if you are hearing about water from friends or realtives, just know that that is not considered healthy nowadays. One lady I know kept asking me if I was giving my 2-month -old water. Don't let their advice get to you. Keep in mind that too much water can cause an imbalance of electrolyes, etc.

Congratuations! One "trimester out":)

As all the other ladies mentioned, it's now recommended nothing but breastmilk or formula until 4-6 mos. The baby needs all the calories he can get to grow, and both breastmilk and formula are based on water. Continue to feed on demand, even if it seems like a lot to you and he's hungry frequently.

Remember, his stomach is only as large as his fist, not yours -- a liquid-diet goes through quick, and his "metabolic fire" is pumping full throttle to get him 2x his size in one year (image if we had to do that!).

Breastmilk and formula are the only things his body is truely able to handle now without potential developmental trouble later such as food allergies -- in a few months, he will be more matured inside to handle rice cereal, juice, water, and other things.

Start small and grow large -- be patient, he's going to change fast:)

It's recommended to start feeding your little one at about 6 months of age.

Mother of 4

I wanted to comment. I have 3 girls and I am still learning because no two children will ever be the same. Find a pediatrician you like and really trust. My pediatrician, ironically also has 3 girls, and she will often tell me what she has done with her own girls. I always ask her questions (even now with my 3rd baby) and I trust at my well baby checks that she will tell me all that I need to know. Around 4 months is good for cereal. Between 5-6 months for first foods (veggies first). 6 months, some water in a sippy cup. The formula is doing all that you need it to do. I formula fed all 3 of mine. As far as sleeping...as soon as you think the baby has figured it out, he will change it on you. Be patient and actually enjoy these moments because they go by so quickly. And trust me, I too, am tired A LOT! Remember, he won't be so little forever, treasure the moments you get to hold him and snuggle him because the day will come when he does not want mommy anywhere near him. Good Luck!

As amazing as it sounds, babies only need breast milk or formula (or a combination) for the first few months. You may start on rice cereal at 4 months, though some wait until 6 months. Rice cereal is not a nutritional supplement -- the baby still gets all norishment from mom or formula -- but it is a way for the baby (and parents!) to get used to eating with a spoon. Discuss particulars with your baby's pediatrician or nurse.
All the best!
M.