To think that an ebf baby doesn't need additional water in this heat...and go against Dr advice?

[CoffeeandWalnutCake]

I went to the dr this morning for DS 8 week check, and all was fine. I happened to mention that over the past few days he has been wanting more frequent feeds (every 1-2 hours at times), and I've put this down to heat, thinking poor little mite is thirsty. Dr says I should be offering water first to see if he's thirsty, but this seems to be against most literature I've read?

My DS is a decent size baby, and dr seemed to imply that by always offering boob when he's actually just thirsty, he might 'get too big'...is this even possible? I thought ebf babies couldn't overfeed?

This is my second child, my first was ebf for the first 6 months and I didn't offer water at all?

GPs aren't good specialists in pregnancy and infants and their advice isn't always right. (Remembers mis-diagnosis of PGP/SPD).

Breast is enough. DS2 is 12wks and has been very "snacky" probably a combination of heat and growth spurt. (He's worked me back up into fountain mode). His napies are heavy wet and clear. Slightly less poo than usual, but a good colour, so I know he's been taking what he needs.

he has been wanting more frequent feeds (every 1-2 hours at times), and I've put this down to heat, thinking poor little mite is thirsty.

You are completely correct and Doctor is wrong. Baby will want more frequent shorter feeds to get the watery foremilk when thirsty.

Thanks everyone! I was pretty sure his advice wasn't entirely correct, but I just thought I should check general opinion as you automatically think you should follow dr advice!

Breastmilk is 90% water anyway. If your baby is happy to breastfeed when thirsty then why would you give water as well?

I Lived in very hot country when bf dd - advice was only to breastfeed as the composition of your milk changes depending on the environment (eg heat), the age of your baby, how often they are feeding (growth spurts etc). I was very much a "routine" bf (frowned upon by many) but would often feed for more or for longer at 30+ deg.

Hello, for any breastfeeding question, use kellymom.

Some Drs and some HVs do not know the current advice. I was given rubbish advice by the HV and I did not believe her, so I spoke to a breastfeeding counsellor (sp?) from the NCT and she said before 6 months no extra water is needed for a EBF baby.

After 6 months, sips of water might be needed to prevent constipation. If the baby does not have constipation, there is no need for extra water. Use your discretion. A mother really knows best.

And just remember, you need now to take more fluids because you are breastfeeding and because it's hot. Good luck OP.

I was told there's no need for water but also no harm in a small amount if the increased feeding is really too much for you and the baby seems happy with a bit of water at times.

Link here OP:

kellymom.com/nutrition/starting-solids/baby-water/

Funnily enough I asked my hv about this earlier as my dc is 15 wks and ebf. Yep, as I thought no water required.
Yanbu

I asked a breastfeeding counsellor this yesterday and you're right, no water needed!

Agree with other posters op! Do not worry.

I'm in a hot country and EBF my own who were born here, no they aren't given any water under 6 months, Mum is told to dink more because of heat and also increase feeds if baby wants that. So long as there are lots of wet nappies all is well.
We also kept them shaded, out of breezes, and wearing a nappy and a light tee shirt or onsie with short sleeves and no legs. If they look uncomfortable we'd wash their heads and face with a damp flannel.

So how to doner milk work.

I bf ds for 5 months and I didn't even know this.

Was at baby clinic yesterday with my 8 week dd and asked this question, because if I get told to give water one more time by dp's family I'm going to go insane.
Was told bf babies need no water, and ff babies may need only as little as 5ml to wet their mouths.

No water needed for EBF babies :) Doctor needs educating.

I couldn't ever get DS1 to latch on so I expressed all his feeds for him and when we went to stay with DH's family in Algeria... mid summer, my milk turned very blue although I didn't produce that much more.

Ignore the doc, no need for water.

If a baby is FF then cool boiled water is needed when it's this hot, but not if the baby is EBF - your milk will adapt to give your baby exactly what he/she needs.

you may need to drink more water but at 8 weeks an EBF baby neads nothing but milk, the difficulty could be that they aren't getting enough fore milk but thats because mum is dehydrated. Dr's are rubbish when it comes to breast feeding