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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

AIBU about baby and water?

77 replies

LST · 28/05/2012 19:16

AIBU to be a bit Hmm about a woman I was talking to giving newborn baby 3oz of water in a bottle when hungry?

OP posts:
RandomNumbers · 28/05/2012 19:18

Gosh terribly dangerous practice, really bad

LST · 28/05/2012 19:18

I felt like I should of said something but I really didn't want to interfere and I may have been wrong.. GP could have said to do it..

OP posts:
StepAwayFromTheEcclesCakes · 28/05/2012 19:25

sorry to be dense but why is it bad? only asking as we were very PFB with our DS1 (19) and did not realise that he should have had water sometimes too not just milk, although this was a bit older than newborn. have no idea on the 'rules'

JarethTheGoblinKing · 28/05/2012 19:27

Don't see the issue myself (if FF baby).

LST · 28/05/2012 19:28

I don't know either. That why I was asking. I've just heard (mainly off here and HV) that they shouldn't have a lot of water..

OP posts:
eastendywendy · 28/05/2012 19:29

Nothing wrong especially in this heat and can also be helpful if baby is constipated for example.

MrsHuxtable · 28/05/2012 19:30

Because it fills their tiny tummies up without providing them with calories?

LST · 28/05/2012 19:30

So I am BU then..

OP posts:
theincredibequeenofwands · 28/05/2012 19:30

I used to do that!

Is it not allowed?

Shock

In my defence I was discharged from hospital 10 hours after birth, aged 20 and had never held a baby. Reckon I did okay regardless!

LST · 28/05/2012 19:30

Oh baby was 2 1/2 weeks

OP posts:
Frakiosaurus · 28/05/2012 19:32

When hungry, no. That sounds to me like trying to space out feeds by offering water instead of milk which is dangerous.

However babies should be offered cooled, boiled water if FF in very hot weather.

Debeezandbirds · 28/05/2012 19:32

YANBU to be concerned. Smile

I had to give DS water when I went from BF to FF as his FF did nothing to quench thirst. He was only 12 weeks when I switched.

Also if it's really hot can give more relief than a warm bottle.

LST · 28/05/2012 19:32

I was told just to feed DS when he was hungry. I don't know though. It's just what I've heard.

OP posts:
NinjaChickenLegs · 28/05/2012 19:33

I did in hot weather with my DD. It was recommended by the HV . Boiled then cooled down water obviously. But that was 8 yrs ago so don't know if it changed since then.

But that wasn't for hunger it was to keep her hydrated without over feeding her.

LST · 28/05/2012 19:33

I used to offer DS sips after naps ect. But this baby was obviously hungry. And when offered water wolfed it all down then cried some more.

OP posts:
Kayano · 28/05/2012 19:35

Maybe they were scared of dehydration? Maybe they had three oz in a bottle but only offered a couple of sucks?

Not enough to judge

MrsTerryPratchett · 28/05/2012 19:37

BF or FF, the advice can be different.

LST · 28/05/2012 19:38

He had the full 3oz. And I am not judging at all. I was asking a question.

OP posts:
Roseformeplease · 28/05/2012 19:45

This was advised even if BF in hot countries. Don't know about current advice though.

BlackOutTheSun · 28/05/2012 19:48

I was told to give dd water in a bottle for constipation.

MrsTerryPratchett · 28/05/2012 19:51

Nope. All a BFed baby needs is BM. The constipation thing is medical advice (hopefully) and therefore different. I found when DD was constipated, sick, tired, fussy, bored or tried she just fed more.

GodisaDj · 28/05/2012 19:52

I was on a breastfeeding peer support course last week and this question came up.

FF babies can be offered an oz or two of previously boiled and the cooled water in this hot weather OR make up the formula with more water than normal.

For BF babies, they don't need to be offered water as your milk will adjust during the heat (ie slightly more watery)

Like someone else said, the parents probably didn't know how much to give but it can be offered.

Olympia2012 · 28/05/2012 19:53

Lol at 'is it not allowed'!!

Your baby, your choice!

Mishy1234 · 28/05/2012 19:55

I know it's sometimes done with FF babies, but not newborns. My DN was FF (my mum looked after her during her first year) and she was sometimes given water. Mum was very surprised I didn't give DS1 any, but I think it is different with BF.

Dprince · 28/05/2012 19:55

Every hv and doctor I have seen with the kids always recommended giving water. It does fill their tummies, but it digested quicker than milk is so its not going to starve them. the baby would have still needed a bottle shortly after.