giving water to baby

[Billsey]

Hi guy's, when is it best to start giving water, so muchadvice out there from HV and books but all seems so different.

my DS is 14 weeks and formula fed

[Iggly]

Not until they're on solids really! I started giving some after meals.

[Seona1973]

I didnt give ds extra water until he started solids at 5 1/2 months. They dont really need it unless they are constipated or it is really hot.

[JiltedJohnsJulie]

Unless you are in a hot country or we are having an extreme heatwave, its best not to give water until you start weaning. ie after 6 months.

[LudwigVanBeetroot]

About to start weaning my little one too and was wondering - sorry if this is obvious!- what kind of water to give. Should I boil and chill it first, use bottled water or is tap water ok?

[Bertina]

Boil and cool, give at room temp or warmish.

Bottled water (as a rule) has more minerals in than is good for a baby, so avoid that. Tap water from about a year.

[Seona1973]

if under 6 months, boil and cool the water. If over 6 months tap water is fine.

[JiltedJohnsJulie]

If you LO is under 6 months you shouldn't be weaning anyway, so tap water will be fine.

[MoonUnitAlpha]

I started offering cooled boiled water in a cup from about 5.5 months with food, but ds wasn't interested. Now at 6 months as he's eating more he does sometimes drink some water with meals - just a few sips. I give him tap water now.