What age do you give baby water?

[Ce098]

So I’m a first time mum and I’ve been told by so many mums to start giving baby water at 3/4 months... my daughter is 4 months tomorrow and I’ve been giving her water for 3 days now. But every nappy change there’s been a little bit of poo.. has anyone else had this problem?

You give water when weaning no earlier than 6 months, unless formula fed and in very hot weather.
A 3/4 month old baby does not need water in this weather, why in earth would you think it necessary? Stop it for goodness sake

Small amounts of cooled boiled water from 6 months, around the time of weaning onto food. Formula or breast milk is still their main source of nourishment until 1yr old so you don’t want to make them feel full on water.

I didnt give water til I weaned - and then it pretty much got thrown about.
I did bf on demand tho. I dont know if formula guidelines are different.

@Megan2018 The majority of mums I know has given their baby water at 3/4 months and has never had a problem. Don’t have to be rude about it. This page is literally for discussions and advice no?

6 months, when they started weaning. If you're BF there is no need to give water until they start having food. With bottle fed Ibthink it's only if it's very hot. Water has no nutritional value and can make baby feel full, it's not really required. Many years ago babies weaned at 3 or 4 months so you may be hearing outdated advice

[quote Ce098]@Megan2018 The majority of mums I know has given their baby water at 3/4 months and has never had a problem. Don’t have to be rude about it. This page is literally for discussions and advice no?[/quote]
Im staggered the majority have given their babies water so young. The advuce to give it at 6 months is pretty standard and was certainly covered in the 1 day course we did at the hospital pre birth. Even a quick Google would have given you the advice, surely you wouldn't just do it because everyone you know did?

I don't think I gave DD a cup of water until she was 6 months or more, and she rarely drank any, she didn't need to she had milk? Can't you ask a health visitor for advice maybe?
I think the only time we ever had to give sterile water to DD was when she was VERY ill with norovirus at 12 weeks and actually I think we had to give her those rehydration sachets in the water and give it to her through a big syringe to get her to take it. So no I've not heard of people giving water to babies that young.

And the water/sachets I mentioned were all done at hospital I hasten to add, as given to us by a dr so we didn't just decide to do that at home ourselves out of the blue or anything.

They don't need water until you start solids or it's really hot or they're constipated. I gave it in a lidded cup when I started solids around 23 weeks. No real need for it before that

@ellieboulou33 thank you so much! I only gave her half an ounce once a day, just what I’d been advised by other parents. At least I know now, just trying to get used to being a mum haha

@CeeceeBloomingdale I’m just wondering if it was okay back then to start weaning at 4 months, why not now? What’s changed?

Even 18 years ago I was told babies don't need water until they're on solids.

People Understand babies better now! Water only when they start solid food unless otherwise advised by a medically qualified practitioner

@TinySleepThief I didn’t have a 1 day course pre birth? I gave birth during lockdown so I was completely alone and wasn’t allowed in hospital unless I had any problems, my partner was only allowed in when I was in active labour.. was a very hard time and tbh I didn’t have a clue what I was doing, I was terrified. I’m just trying to get used to things as a first time parent.

Bf baby. Started water at 6 months with food. Ignore the rude posters. We only learn by asking questions.

@TinySleepThief also my health visitor has only contacted me once since I’ve had my baby which I think is terrible..

[quote Ce098]@CeeceeBloomingdale I’m just wondering if it was okay back then to start weaning at 4 months, why not now? What’s changed?[/quote]
They did more research and found early weaning could cause digestive problems. Have you got a health visitor, they should have explained this all to you. You can find reputable information here about weaning www.nhs.uk/start4life/weaning/

Sorry to hear you didnt get any antenatal advice, that's pretty uncommon as most went online. I appreciate its daunting but there is honestly loads of information on things like this on the NHS website or the NCT website and if in doubt maybe pop a message to your health visitor. My only advice would be to do your own research if your not sure, don't assume everyone elae is following the guidelines and if all the people you know with babies are giving water at 4 months truthfully I wouldn't listen to a word they said.

@Spanglebangle thank you! Yes I agree hence why I posted on here but some people can be so rude!! :(

Op so sorry you are getting a hard time! It's so difficult for first time mums atm! For what it's worth I was giving mine cooled,boiled water from 2 weeks! I know advice has changed but even very recently my dd was advised to offer water if nappies weren't dirty very often, another bit of advice I was offered and am happy to share is if you think littke one isnt pooing enough some tummy massage and a warn bath may help? Mine suffered with terrible constipation when little and its good to try different remedies and find out what works for you! Ultimately trust your own instincts! Xx

Yes not before six months it’s potentially dangerous to give water any earlier.

At 6 months when they start to eat food. No earlier.

Whatever advice you get from mum/friends etc take it with a smile and then google it To make sure the advice changes so much so quickly it’s always worth checking.
It’s so hard at the minute with real lack of support