water and feeding an exclusively b/f 11 week old

[ilovemydogandMrObama]

since the weather has gotten hotter, DD2 is feeding almost non stop, and while I know that she doesn't need anything other than breast milk, she seems very thirsty.

Do people ever give water?

[HarrietJones]

You don't need to give water alongside breastmilk

[Paschaelina]

No need, just let her breastfeed as normal whenever she asks for it.

[Jojay]

People probably do, but it's not necessary, and can even be harmful. She may fill up on nutrient free water instead of nutrient rich bm. Saying that, I can't believe that a few sips of cooled boiled water would hurt.

[EauRouge]

Giving water to a very young baby can be harmful so I would avoid it until she starts on solid food (around 6 months). You'll probably need a bit of extra water yourself though.

[EauRouge]

here's some more info.

[ilovemydogandMrObama]

thank you . Interesting link on Kelly mom Eau about even b/f babies in tropical weather still not needing water. Amazing.

[MrsTerryPratchett]

We evolved in Africa. Cold is actually more strange evolutionary for babies than heat.

[SnarkHunt]

It does sound weird at first, I think because we find the idea of drinking (cows) milk when you're thirsty odd as adults. Think of bm more like one of those isotonic sports drinks but designed especially for your baby: it's better and more easily absorbed than plain water.