Water

[MrsMattie]

Do babies need water?

DD is 30 wks, formula fed and we've been weaning for 3 weeks.

[charliejess22]

hi there, my son is 28 weeks and has been on solids for 6 weeks now. i always give him water from a tommee tippee cup with his meals and quite regularly on hot days and he loves it!! Not sure whether they actually need it but I think I have read that formula fed babies should have water as breast milk is a drink and food where as formula is just food?? Not sure on that though!!

[MrsMattie]

This is what I'm wondering, charliejess22. Does she need it? I've given her water on hot days, but not sure whether she should have it with al her 'meals' (just pureed veg/fruit so far). She likes it, but tends to puke it back up bringing her food with it!

[katherine2008]

Mrs Mattie I think you are doing the right thing, making sure she is hydrated during the day. i seem to remember that we started water very gradually with our dinner, and whilst my dd was quite a puker, I am generally of the opinion that if a child is eating fine, then you introduce something and it makes the child puke then stop for a week and start again... good luck. my dd was formula fed and drank no more or less than her bf matex

[Seona1973]

I offered a lidded cup of water with meals from the start - not a lot though, just an ounce or 2.

[shinyshoes]

same here, When I started weaning I gave a drink of water with all meals and have done ever since, she is now 17 months. Babies need water just like adults need to hydrate, we get thirsty, so do they. I think with BF babies, the reason they don't need it so much is because the breast milk acts a hydrant too.

With my child if she dosen't want it she won't take it, but if like today it's warm she gulped down half a cup full without coming up for air, I've left it lying around for her so she can drink at her convenience, it's one of those no spill cup, anyway up cups.