Hot weather - extra fluids?

[grainmum]

Hello. Exclusively breast fed 4 week old. I'm staying with my parents this week and my Mum is desperate for me to give him a bit of water in the hot weather. Am I right in saying this is not advised? Why not?

I would like to be armed with info on this as well,for when my baby arrives. My mum seems obsessed with cooled boiled water on a spoon.

Marking place

I went to the doctors on Monday with my 7 week old DS, the doctor said that if I felt he wasn't getting enough fluids then I could give up to 10ml cooled boiled water between feeds if I wanted. But if I was happy BF more often in this heat as DS is thirsty then not to worry.

Thankyou - was beginning to doubt myself. He's having plenty of wet nappies so I'm quite happy that he's getting plenty fluids.

Your breast milk contains everything your baby needs, boiled water is not necessary - it is likely your baby will want to fed more often in this weather. Pretty much like we are doing - it's hot thirsty weather! I have noticed my 10 month old is feeding more.

Try and stand your ground with your parents. It's hard as different generations have different opinions.

I am no expert - a bf counsellor/helpline should be able to give you a more scientific explanation.

Hope you don't have to battle the next parents favourite - 'he's a big baby, is he getting enough - are you sure he doesn't need a formula top-up?' Again, stand your ground no he/she doesn't - your breast milk is perfect for them and is all they need. Just thought I would share this, I had this battle a number of times with DS but funny how it wasn't mentioned with DD and she was bigger at birth - lol!