Does a breastfed 8-wk old need water when in a hot country?

[Sari]

We're going away at the end of the month when dd will be 8 weeks old. She's exclusively breastfed but I was wondering if she'll need to drink water as well while we're away as it's going to be very hot (mid 30s) and extremely humid. I seem to remember something about breastmilk altering in composition according to the climate but then again the midwife told me to give week old ds1 water when he was born during a heatwave here in Britain.

Can anyone help me out? Thanks.

No. Breastmilk will meet ALL of her needs.

No, your breastmilk will adjust to the conditions.

not at all..although your mum will say it does!!!

Great - I was hoping that would be the case. Couldn't face the thought of sterilising bottles etc.

thanks everyone.

If you are worried when you are there, the soft spot on a baby's head will dip if they are dehydrated.

so long as baby is still breast feeding substantially then you should be fine.

Eeeeek....waterfalls, that is a very late sign of dehydration in a young baby. I wouldn't want mothers waiting to see that before they reckoned dehydration.
But it's absolutely correct that hot climates do not mean there's a need for water.....breastmilk is predominantly water anyway, and an eight week old will have hunger and thirst best met at the breast,

Being Australian we all got water in between feeds in summer...often babies will get hungry before the next feed is due as the heat makes them sweat and therefor use more calories, my Mum said she used to give us water to string us out til the next feed, also if its really hot and sweaty little ones can get a bit constipated so the water helps that...Its up to you really - breastmilk as people have said will give her everything she needs but no harm in water...

sorry, tedebear, not to diss your mum, but breastfed babies, partic. 8 week olds, really shouldn't be 'strung out' until the next feed is 'due', especially as you say, sweating uses up more calories, and babies may get hungry sooner. Easier, surely, just to offer the breast than to mess about with boiling water and leaving it to cool and keeping bottles clean....?

Prob most babies are not harmed by drinks of water, but it does introduce the possibility of bugs and it introduces hassle, which someone away from home can nicely do without.

thats ok tiktok - we'll have to agree to disagree, I feed my son to a routine and I certainly do make him wait at 8 weeks old until his next feed...I don't want to make him into a snacker and I know his little tummy isn't quite empty only 2 hours after the last feed, if he wakes up from his nap early he won't cry as hes hungry he'll cry as he's still tired...I don't mind 15-20 minutes either way but I won't feed on demand as I'll end up with a demanding baby...just my thoughts anyhow - I know most people disagree with me but I've got a smiling happy little boy who is right in the middle of the weight charts and is a delight to us all - so I'm sure I'm not doing anything wrong just in the same way that what you're doing is right for you...just a difference of opinion...

A 'demanding' baby???? Is that like a 'spoilt' baby or a 'manipulative' baby or any of those other mythical creatures?
Or do you mean a baby who is hungry? I'm sure your baby is fine but I'm really very shocked that anyone could use derogatory words like that about a tiny baby.

If they are hungry then they are hungry! Gah.

I didn't mean that in anyway derogatory at all - please don't take offense at all....he is a wonderful eater and I would love for him to remain that way...

What will you do when he has a growth spurt?

There are a few ways to spot a growth spurt - he starts waking early from his daytime naps (usually 1.5hrs) and also when he suck dry his bottles all day...then I just up the next bottles by an ounce and he settles again...

Ah, sorry, assumed you were breastfeeding from the posts on this thread

I did bf until 6 weeks...however after an operation to my left side I found I couldn't continue and didn't want to feed single sided...

i dont see how the dip in the soft spot is a late sign of dehydration, my dd always used to get that when she was little, (about 4-10 weeks ish) and as soon as she'd had a drink of water/milk she would be better, it was an immidiate reaction for her, if she hadnt had a drink in 2 hrs it would happen, i wouldnt say that was overly dehydrated. i felt it was a very important sign for her dehydration (sorry if anyone thinks this is a bit controvetial!) (andi know i cant spell!)

Don't panic Stacey - I think it has to be quite a considerable dip for it to be dangerous...

no, breastmilk will be fine for her, but you will probabyl need to drink three tiems the amount of water you do right n ow. or you will dehydrate.

I took my dd to Spain and it was quite hot. She turned 5 months when we were away and just had breast. In fact she didn't have any water till she was about 7 months old and had started solids. Even a big baby like her didn't need extra fluids and she didn't demand to be fed significantly more often.

Hope you have a nice holiday.