Is there really no need to give DS water in this weather?

[angel1976]

Hi,

Just a little concerned as I took DS to the cranial osteopath today and the room was really hot (ended up doing the treatment in just his nappy!) and he was looking rather pink-cheeked. Came home and cried blue murder. Was thinking of giving him cooled boiled water but I know they said NOT to give water to babies. Anyway, I made him a bottle of milk and made it really lukewarm and he drank it though he wasn't 'due' his bottle yet! An hour later, he was screaming again but I managed to calm him down without a bottle this time.

Is he too hot? Can I not or should I not give him any water at all? I know the guidelines say they don't need water while they are just drinking milk but surely in this weather...

Any advice? Thanks!

Ax

[TeenyTinyTorya]

I gave ds water when it was really hot, and when his fontanelle looked slightly sunken. He wasn't very interested in it, but I thought I would at least give him the option.

I didn't know you weren't supposed to, tbh.

[Sidge]

They don't need water if they are breastfed, but may need extra water if formula fed.

[angel1976]

Really? He is FF so I should give him water if he looks like he's getting too hot? Will giving water affect his appetite? Poor little mite!

[VeniVidiVickiQV]

I'd not give a young babyb water at all - just milk. I think after a few months old it's okay to give water to FF babies.

Absolutely no need to give water to b/fed babies at all.

[MissingMyHeels]

The no water thing only applies to breastfed babies I believe, I gave DD 2oz of cooled boiled water today as she was very hot and fontanelle looked a bit sunken, she didn't drink it all but it calmed and cooled her down.

[Sidge]

You have two options, one is to give him more milk, as milk is both food and a drink for babies.

If he is very pink and feels warm and sweaty you could offer a few ounces of cooled boiled water between feeds, if he is thirsty it will be used to replace lost fluids so shouldn't affect his appetite.

How old is he?

[LyraSilvertongue]

If he's formula fed he probably will need extra water in hot weather. BF babies don't need any extra.

[angel1976]

He's just gone 10 weeks...

[angel1976]

Thanks for the advice. I will definitely be offering some cooled boiled water tomorrow if he is starting to look hot and bothered again!

[TinkerbellesMum]

If you are hot you drink more water and it doesn't affect your appetite, it's the same for babies. Breastfed babies will take a shorter feed so that they only get the watery foremilk which is why they don't need water. With a FF baby you need to compensate for that.

Keep an eye on his soft spot as it's one of the most obvious indicaters of being dehydrated.