Water?!

[Poppins27]

Hi ladies, I posted on here some time ago about feeding in the very early days and got some fabulous advice, so here I am again I'm afraid!

I have DD who is now 11 weeks and unfortunately after unsuccessful attempts at BF she is now FF hungry baby milk (as advised by HV).

What I'm wondering is if I should also be offering my baby water throughout the day, especially in the heat we have been having? And if so, when, DD feeds every 3 hours, should it be offered in between feeds or before!?

Sorry for my total cluelessness and any help is appreciated!!

You should def offer water in addition to formula during the heat. I would say between feeds so rather like how you would drink more frequently in the heat.

No 'definitely' about it, lemniscate :)

FF babies don't usually need extra water - after all, formula is mainly water anyway.

Occasionally, when it's very hot, babies might seem thirsty, and a small amount of water in addition to formula feeds is ok - but not anything like between every feed and probably not every day.

OP - check with your health visitor. She may advise something individual to you esp as your baby is on hungry formula. Usually, mothers of ff babies can just trust their judgement about whether their babies need any water on top of normal feeds.

I have to say my breastfed baby was grouchy until she had a drink of water yesterday in the heat (7mo though). I am well off with her in a way as although she won't take a bottle she makes it pretty clear what she wants and does not want so at least I knew after a couple of gulps that she was definitely thirsty. She is equally enthusiastic about vitamins, yoghurt and breastmilk

A 7 mth old might well enjoy water in the heat, though, 20wk - older babies on solids as well as milk may well get thirsty, more than younger babies (OP's baby is just 11 weeks).

I stand corrected tiktok :) I was purely going off the fact that all of my friends and acquaintances who have ff gave water to their babies when hot, often on HV recommendation. But anecdote not a substitute for proper knowledge. Sorry OP, listen to tiktok. She knows :)

Hi op, I'd give your HV a ring and check as I think it depends on the babies weight as to whether to offer them cooled boiled water.

I offer my DS cooled boiled water in between feeds when it's hot, generally he pulls a face, but if he's thirsty he does drink the water. I think a couple of ounces is enough to offer, but as i say give the HV a ring.

I read somewhere that bf babies don't need topping up with water, but ff babies do in hot weather?

A small amount of water when baby is on solids and it's hot outside is a good idea IMO but not otherwise (young baby on formula or breastmilk).

Hmm, is the NHS website wrong then, as it advises ff babies under 6 months may need water in hot weather?

www.nhs.uk/Conditions/pregnancy-and-baby/Pages/drinks-and-cups-children.aspx

NHS website is right, I would say - it's more or less what I said earlier :)

Yes, but olimpia's last comment said otherwise. Think is clear now, thanks

ceeveebee I don't mind to be corrected when I'm wrong but here's what the NHS page you linked to says:
"fully breastfed babies don?t need any water until they?ve started eating solid food. Bottle-fed babies may need some extra water in hot weather."
:)

Yes, which is in contrast to your previous post which said that water should only be given when baby is on solids and it's hot outside but not otherwise (young baby on formula or breastmilk).
NHS clearly says its sometimes necessary to give water to ff babies who are under 6 months (ie not yet on solids) as it goes on to give guidance of whether to boil the water or not depending on age of baby.

No need to get arsey about it.
Only the bit about young baby on ff is not what NHS recommends. The rest (older baby on solids and young baby ebf) corresponds to what guidelines say!

Not arsey, just pointing out the facts.
The OP is about giving water to a young ff baby btw