should i be offering cooled boiled water - i'm confused!

[Suzie and Faith]

I had no idea babies could drink cooled boiled water... she is formula fed. Does she need the cooled boiled water? how do i know if she does? when should i offer it??

the other thread on it was the first i'd heard of it!
i'm such an amateur!

 

[LisaJ1986]

I never knew when to give Angel it. My HV told me when she was being sick alot or when it's hot, just to hydrate her a little. But she's boobie fed so doesn't take to bottles very well. And just spits it out. I give up with it.

 

[Krystal]

You don't need to give her it unless it's maybe a hot day or if she has been poorly or has a bad tummy or constipation it can help. Until they start solids they don't need it regular though

 

[Sherlock]

The fontanelle is always a good indicator If in doubt have a look at that and see how it is. If its a bit sunken in then she could probably do with a bit of water.

In warmer weather always good to get a little bit of water down if you can.

In breast milk the foremilk is the water if you like. So the first minute or so of a feed is the hydration for a baby. Hence breastfed babies not needing water when solely BF. That's probably why you've not heard about it.

 

[OopsyDaisy]

No water is needed to be given until weaning unless it's a hot day or there's diarrhoea.

Another way of checking for dehydration is to look at the baby's lips - if they look moist and there's plenty of saliva, there s/he's fine.

 

[mrs_tommo22]

I only started giving water when i weaned my children, with food they need the water to help the system flow better and keep everything hydrated - and also can help with constipation as they tend to get it when you introduce foods to them.

 

[Morganuk]

I am confused also.
I have been told its not good to give to new borns but I do not understand why.
I will try and look it up and get back to you.

 

[daftscotslass]

HV said to us to only give water when it's hot and they're sweaty (has only happened once here) or if they're showing signs of constipation (hasn't happened yet). I suppose if you give it too often it will fill them up without giving them the nutrients that their milk gives.

 

[laura-82]

Hmm I'm confused now too, Freya's always had cooled water to drink, wasn't that fussed about it earlier on but she loves it now.

She's a hot baby anyway but really needs to drink lots of water nowadays as she gets so thirsty (shes on solids).

Surely its just the same as us needing a drink- I couldn't go without a drink all day

 

[Sage]

As long as my son drinks his milk im not bothered to fight with him about drinking water (he totally refuses it unless its in a cup) The way i look at it is he drinks at least 21oz of formula a day and obviously thats 21oz of water to make it. lol thats prob more than id drink in a day!

on the other hand i wish id offered it to ky more so he was use to it. hes 6 months on fri so really guna try with the weaning im hoping as he has less milk he will get thirstier but we'll see!

 

[daftscotslass]

Hmm I'm confused now too, Freya's always had cooled water to drink, wasn't that fussed about it earlier on but she loves it now.

She's a hot baby anyway but really needs to drink lots of water nowadays as she gets so thirsty (shes on solids).

Surely its just the same as us needing a drink- I couldn't go without a drink all day

Think it's different when you're weaning - they need water because they're not getting it from food and milk feeds are reduced.

 

[OopsyDaisy]

I am confused also.
I have been told its not good to give to new borns but I do not understand why.
I will try and look it up and get back to you.

According to my doctor, if you give water to a baby before weaning age, there's the risk that the water can cause the blood to be too dilute and affect the electrolyte balance. I think that's also the reason why it's so important to make-up formula milk following the exact instrusctions.