Water?

[mikid]

Ella is 10 weeks old and breastfeeding exclusively. And recently my mom has been saying I should give her water as she sometimes might just be thirsty rather than hungry?

I've not heard anything like this before, and the midwife/health visitor never mentioned anything so wondered if you ladies had ever given your little one a 'drink' this young or should it start once they're a bit older?

 

[Amy_J]

i breastfed excl. for the first 8 weeks and didnt give water, from what i was told they get all they need from the breastmilk?? but i could be wrong.
even when i switched to formula i didnt give lo water!
when i started weaning him i gave him boiled cooled water in a trainer bottle and cup, and he now has about 2 or 3oz throughout the day! he mainly has a good few gulps after he has his food he seems to like it!!!

 

[Tasha89]

Breastfed babies don't need water until they are weaning. Even then your milk is still perfectly able to quench thirst.
When a baby starts a milk feed they get a thin liquid called foremilk, this is the quench thirsting milk. The longer they feed they get to the hindmilk, this is thicker and full of the much needed calories. Babies are very clever, if they're thirsty they'll feed for a shorter period of time than usual thus only getting the thin foremilk. In fact, giving a breastfed baby water before weaning can mess with your milk supply if baby becomes full on water they wont want a milk feed.
I only give Evelyn 2oz of water in a cup with her meals to get her used to another liquid. Even then she doesn't drink it all, maybe half an oz or so. A good way of telling whether or not a baby is thirsty is by their front soft spot. It dips in when a baby is dehydrated. Keep up the good work x