Cool boiled water?

[IJustWoreMyTrenchcoat]

Hello, does anybody know if it is ok to give an infant (8 weeks) cool boiled water or is this outdated now? My mum and mil keep recommending a little water for my son as he seems like he is straining to fill his nappy and this causes him a lot of pain.

I have found a lot of conflicting advice online so am just wandering if anybody has any current info. He is breast and formula fed at the moment if that makes a difference.

For info, when he fills his nappy it is soft, but he seems to really struggle. Last night when I changed his nappy he was lifting his bum off the mat and turning red with straining but it was midday today before he did a poo.

All babies strain to do a poo. You wouldn't believe how red in the face my DD used to go! As long as poo is soft, that is normal. Water is not necessary, BF or FF.

It's only recommended to give water to fully formula fed babies in very hot weather. (See NHS page here)

It doesn't sound like constipation to me if when he goes it is normal in texture as you describe. Going red and straining is also not unusual and doesn't mean constipation. Have you tried things like baby massage, or cycling his legs to help him with tummy issues?

The previous posters are right, you don't need to give a bf baby water, and only ff in hot weather.

Just posting to say I had months of trying to persuade my DM and MIL that advice had changed, so just stick with what your midwife & HV tell you and try to provide well meaning family with some up to date advice, like the NHS page mentioned.

Breast feed baby- no. Breastmilk is all they need

FF - yes

FF babies only need extra water if they are constipated or it is really hot. Neither of mine had extra water until starting solid foods.

babies are constipated if their poo is hard and pellety, not if they strain, straining is normal and just because the muscles aren't developed yet.