When can I offer water?

[Queenkong]

5 months in, EBF. Starting to think about starting BLW next month. DS has always refused a bottle, so was thinking of letting him start playing with a sippy cup to try and get him used to taking fluids from something other than the boob. Should I offer him expressed milk in the cup, or is cooled boiled water ok to give at this stage? I really hate expressing so am hoping water is ok!

I did BLW with DS too and offered tap water from a cup at meal times.

Tap water too, in a cup with a straw.

Good question OP I was wondering the same.

So can I offer him water now at 5 months? Don't know if I'm taking the 'EBF til 6 months' advice to extremes but, given that we're so close, I don't want to mess it up now!

The rules must have changed. When DD (now 11 years old) was 5 months I was told that giving water wasn't necessary (as it was winter). I would go down the route of offereing expressed breast milk or formula, especially if you want your son to get used to drinking milk from a cup.

We were told to offer them water about 5 months by hv to get them used to it before starting blw as getting less fluids.

Not lots and lots. Just a little once or twice a day between 'normal' feeds.

I wouldn't offer him any water unless he is eating food too - once he has solids give him water with it. EBF to 6 months means no food or water, if he's fully breastfed then no water.

Thanks. Might just leave the whole thing until he is 6 months then (that's how much I hate expressing!)

Yes sorry, that's what I meant too Rita- I did blw from 6 months.

The breast milk continues to be the most important source of nutrients though until they are one.

Would you recommend BLW crikeybadger? It seems to make sense to me and looks a lot less effort than puréeing but I don't know anyone who has done it, so grateful for views.

Yes, would wholeheartedly recommend it.

No pureeing, no having to sit their and spoon it in, and the baby gets to regulate his own intake of food.

I did get some slightly aghast faces though when DS would sit and attempt to eat cooked whole green beans and pieces of squishy nectarine though. He never choked mind you.

The downside is that it's very, very messy, but it's a very interesting way to wean because you see them develop their manual dexterity skills so quickly.

There's usually a thread going for those about to start blw in the food topic.

I agree with crikey about the virtues of BLW. What has surprised me though is how quickly is isn't messy anymore and how good DS is at eating.