To give my nearly 4 week old baby some water?

[elm26]

Hello

I made a thread the other night as it's 26-28 degrees in my flat all night long, my usually content nearly 4 week old has been so unsettled last couple of nights.

I've tried sleeping her in a nappy, in a nappy with a muslin wrapped around her, in a nappy and a vest and she's not satisfied at all bless her. The back of her hair, neck and back are sweaty.

She's formula fed and plenty of wet nappies, however my Stepmum (long time Nanny of many children and babies as an occupation) suggested I give her half an oz to 1oz of cool boiled water (not to replace formula) just to see if she may be a little thirsty.

I thought guidelines have changed now and we're not meant to give babies water however I googled and NHS says that formula fed babies can have small amounts in hot weather but I'm still nervous as a first time mum that I'm going to hurt her somehow! She also hasn't done a poo for 2 days and I've heard water can help with constipation (I've tried bicycle legs, massaging tummy etc).

Did any of you give your newborns a tiny bit of water in hot weather or shall I leave it?

You can get window films that cut heat out in the summer. It’s tinted but it will cut the worst of the heat out. It’s easy to diy.

Im sure you’re doing just fine. It’s a nerve wracking thing to have a baby but you got through yesterday and the day before.

I would speak to the chemist about her constipation - if its starting to hurt she might be holding it. My daughter did this and it unfort resulted in a circle of it hurting and her holding it in and then it becoming even more painful.

Hi OP just to say if you wake up with baby and you’re in a chair or on the sofa that is the most dangerous sleeping situation.
lots of women don’t plan to co sleep but you are FAR better off with baby sharing your flat mattress (no blankets or pillows) on bed next to you

Glad it worked.

Don't let the HV worry you.

Every window in my flat is open, the temp isn't getting below 24-25 at this time of night 😔

It is really, really oppressive and muggy tonight.

Have you tried frozen bottles or wet towels in front of a fan? Not pointed at the baby, but to take the temperature down generally.

I don't want her in bed with me, it was completely accidental that I fell asleep. I don't want to co sleep at all. I was just so so tired I must have just passed out.

Thanks for that, really helped my anxiety.

Glad you know more than the NHS though who advise formula fed babies can have cool boiled water in the heat.

I get that, absolutely. I was dog tired for over a year (my son didn’t sleep through the night until 15 months). You don’t want her in bed with you, that’s fine but if there’s a risk you repeat the same thing and fall asleep with her in a chair or on a sofa then putting her in bed with you is a lot safer option. Babies easily die of suffocation on chairs and sofas, it’s safer if you accidentally fell asleep next to her in a bed

Asking for advice in here unfortunately doesn't always help with anxiety when you have a new baby.

Im really glad I wasn't when I had my first 2 dc

Midwife here. Cooled boiled water is totally fine in a heatwave. Boil the water in a kettle, pour into a sterilised bottle and leave to cool. Formula fed babies may need this in hot weather (breastfed don’t as breast milk is more responsive to the babies needs so can become more dilute etc)

DON’T LIVE IN FEAR OF THE HV. Mine gave me hell because (both) my babies guzzled formula and went up to the 99th centile. I was a bit more chill about ignoring them as my profession made me more confident with babies. They are now 4 and 6 and skinny/active

1. you mess up supply
2. you have no idea if they are hungry or thirsty
3. breastmilk is healthier than water

@elm26 ive read lots of your pregnancy and baby posts. Congrats on little one.

just about the cosleeping - if you’re exhausted, accidents will happen. That’s how the worst can happen with babies on sofas/in chairs etc. please have a read about the safe seven in terms of cosleeping. Advice has changed. Look at the lullaby trust.

you need to get enough rest so that you don’t fall asleep with baby on sofa. In trying to avoid one risk you’re leaving yourself and baby more vulnerable to a much much much bigger risk.

I gave mine a little water and it helped with the constipation. Every parent falls asleep with their baby at some point, it probably wasn't as unsafe as you thought and if it was well it's happened it's no reflection on you, literally every parent I know has a story xx

If you can afford it, Wowcher have a really good range of cooling fans at the moment, lots of different sizes, plus the white noise might help her settle. If I remember, around 4 weeks was when sleep, routines, colic etc all kicked in, so with the heat as well it must be rough 💐💐💐

It seems she’s uncomfortably hot, not necessarily thirsty. Could you try cool very slightly damp cloths? Very lightly applied for just a moment not too long. Poor mite.

Or because breast milk is responsive to babies needs and is always changing because of that .

Nothing to do with anything you said and point 3 is just ridiculous

@elm26 you’re doing great! I think all of us have fallen asleep like that with a new baby. Please don’t beat yourself up. Keep feeding bub. If she’s showing hunger signs feed her. The health visitor doesn’t sit with a crying baby! She might get some beautiful baby rolls but she’ll soon lose them as she starts to move more.

As someone who lives in a hot country, I had a baby in mid summer (over 40 degrees for a few months). You can get portable air con units. Or dampen a muslin and place in in front (not on) of a fan near baby. Re-dampen as it dries. Or you can put a bowl of water in front of the fan, and as the fan blows across the water it evaporates and cools the surrounding area. Look up ‘coolgardie safe’ to read why this works.

I won’t talk about giving water as my experience is too long ago. I did as it was the accepted, but talk to your doctor for advice. Please remember, this is a challenging period, I still clearly remember the emotions over 40 years later!

My DD is 7 weeks old and FF. HV and GP advised water, no more than an oz at a time, max 2 oz a day, only when she isn't hungry, to keep her hydrated. Having said that, if it's been an hour or so since her last feed I usually offer another oz or 2 of formula.

Ignore anyone saying not to do it and keep your child hydrated. Just limit the amount over the day.

Please.do not feel guilty about not BF - you're doing a fantastic job.

And she's fine with some water

As you are formula feeding you could definitely try offering some. Breastfed babies do not need additional water. However I’m not sure it will help her feel more cool and settled.

Aww OP you are doing your best, little ones out of sorts because it's so hot, perhaps constipated. I would give another bottle instead of water, that's if she will take it. Giving her cooled water will not harm her at all.

I always gave mine as much cooled boiled water as they could drink, they're perfectly healthy.
I don't believe for one moment that fresh boiled, cooled water harms babies.

Your HV sounds nuts and an absolute anxiety maker. Surely 4 oz every 4 hours works out the same as 2 oz every 2 hours. So how is she overfed? FWIW, I breastfed, but DS weighed 6.5 at birth and 8 lb at 4 weeks. He could sometimes sleep 4 hours, occasionally 5 hours at a stretch!

Cooled boiled water used to be recommended and now it’s not, though the NHS website says it’s fine. If it’s just a couple of ounces, I doubt if it makes much difference in the grand scheme of things - babies thrived either way!

She might get some beautiful baby rolls but she’ll soon lose them as she starts to move more.

She might but she hasn’t yet. Her weight gain is both normal and desirable. If she hadn’t gained weight, it would be cause for concern! The health visitor sounds crazy!