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Infant feeding

Water for BF baby?

6 replies

PetrovaFossil1 · 19/08/2016 09:52

I have an EBF 4.5 month old who has recently spaced out his feeds to every 4 hrs (if I offer the breast more frequently he pushes it away and shrieks like I'm trying to murder him...)
I was advised by a nurse to offer him cooled boiled water in between feeds to keep him hydrated (note we live in a very hot country). Is this right? I thought if he was thirsty he'd ask to feed from me.

OP posts:
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Nan0second · 19/08/2016 09:58

Not right. You're right, he should feed more often from you. Make sure you're really well hydrated.

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JiltedJohnsJulie · 19/08/2016 10:03

That's the advice for ff in hot climates not bf.

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Fluffsnuts · 24/08/2016 13:16

Nope. Breast milk is sufficient for 6months. No water or anything else needed.

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tiktok · 24/08/2016 16:03

Very poor that this advice came from a nurse. Where are you?

Breastmilk hydrates babies better than water. Additional water is not necessary and it could interfere with breastfeeding ( unlikely at four months, though, but you really, really don't need to bother).

Many mothers find their babies do feed more often when it's hot but if you are responsive to your baby's needs, you're doing ok :)

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adagio · 24/08/2016 16:15

Yep, no need at all just make sure you are hydrated. I think I read that your body attunes to your baby and makes more watery milk to compensate - as in they still get the same calories each day but a higher % fluids too. By 4 months I expect you will know if he is hungry or thirsty, as he will let you know (probably loudly!!).

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ChipIn · 27/08/2016 02:28

I also live in a very hot climate and only ever breastfed till Bub started solids. Milk becomes more watery if necessary and if baby's thirsty he/she will BF. I don't know any BF babies who were given water.

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