Do BF babies need water in hot climates?

[Tatties]

My ds is nearly 6mths and we are going to Australia soon. I have started him on solids, but not very much at the moment, so he is still probably having the same amount of BF as before. I know BF babies don't need water but what about at this age when they are in a climate of around 30*c? Since starting him on solids I have always offered water from a soft spouted beaker after his meal but he's not too keen and will only take a couple of sips, spitting most of it out. He's been the same when I have previously offered water from a bottle. Do I just keep doing the same thing in Oz, assuming that if he needs the extra water he will take it?

So basically don't worry whether he is drinking water, just give him plenty of BF, right? That's what I thought, ta

You might find he wants to have short frequent feeds, and this will be his way of upping his fluid intake without upping the calories too much because he'll prefer to just take the more watery foremilk.

Spent a lot of time in hot countries with my two. I would suggest plenty of b/feeds and beakers of water offered (but not to worry if not taken.)

My kids have a shower together every night. Ups their fluid intake no end!

my dd2 born in a hot aussie summer had no water( last Nov)... as she was breastfed and she just took a lot more feeds and seemed to take the more watery foremilk. I would just keep breastfeeding - lot less hassle than cups and them spitting it out.

I am only now introducing a cup of water during the day but she still prefers her breastmilk... ( 10 1/2 months old)

Where are you off to in Aus - I live in Brisbane and this week we are looking at 30 degree temps rising to 33 at the end of the week - quite warm for this time of the year.

Make sure you drink lots of water though....

I am in Australia and always offered my babies drinks of water after any solids or if an extra hot day. I don't hink there is any harm in it as I personally think it important that they learn to drink and like water.

mm,think the issue is that once they're on solids,then of course you offer water,but when exclusively b/fed,they don't need it.

I live in southern US, very hot and humid in the summer. I did start to offer ds water at about this age. It never affected his intake of bm. You can certainly watch his urine output for color and amount to check for dehydration before starting to offer water I suppose.

moondog our temps range from 25 to 39 for 9 months of year. We are one month into spring and our days are already 30. I think they need the sips of water just to cool them down not as a drink as such. I bf successfully too but I honestly couldn't face feeding them each half hour to cool them down!!!!

Hi,

Both of my babies were born in Oz.....I just kept breastfeeding them more often when extra hot!
Don't seem to have that prob anymore though....a little cooler in London now..lol