Do you give your baby water?

[Newmummee]

My DD is 8 weeks almost, they sat not to give water unless constipated but all my friends say they so give some but not instead of milk obviously... Do you give your baby? If so how much and how old?

no, they dont need it. Neither of mine had water until they started solids. They dont need it even if formula fed unless it is very hot weather or they are constipated. Why would you want to give it to a young baby?

Just cos a few friends have said they did and that we all need water??? It's why I'm asking

My DD is five months has had no water yet (ebf). She is 98th centile and very strong and healthy. There is water in milk!

milk is predominantly water so will provide hydration as well as food.

No- all they need is breastmilk for first 6 months

Milk is 90% water already, babies don't need any more. Giving plain water will reduce the amount of milk they have.

Hi, my DS is 4 months and is breastfed only. I've been told not to give him extra water as it can fill his tummy but has no nutritional value for him. Makes sense really

What about ff babies? Or in my case at present- mix fed

They still shouldn't need water except possibly in exceptionally hot weather. Formula is mostly water too

I'm sure advice is the same for formula feeds. Milk only unless baby is ill or it's unseasonably warm.
Check with your health visitor to be certain

from nhs website:

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. For babies under six months, use water from the mains tap in the kitchen that's been boiled then cooled. Water for babies over six months doesn’t need to be boiled.

p.s. formula is predominantly water too so is still a drink as well as a food

My FF baby drinks about 4 ounces of water a day. There are times when she cries, maybe an hour after a feed. I used to give her milk but she wouldn't drink it. When I offer her water She gulps it down. Clearly thirsty.

Cooled boiled water is advised in the case of constipation. We were advised to give an oz of water after every feed.

yes you can give it if they are constipated or it is very hot weather but they do not routinely need water whether breast or formula fed.

My 2 had only breastmilk for the first 6 months, but maybe formula fed babies need water, I'm not sure.

We only gave it once in the case of constipation. I wouldn't really listen to everyone and I mean that kindly.

Some people will tell you to put a liga in the bottle etc. I would just do what your gp or nurse advises.

Kelly1814, how old is your baby? Hopefully 6 months plus? Otherwise drinking 4 oz of water everyday is replacing a feed. Too much water can be dangerous for a young baby. The NHS advice has already been quoted on this thread - it is give for a reason.

The only time I did was when we both had roti virus which was 7 full days of vomiting. Because he couldn't keep milk down I syringed 5 mil of water into his mouth every 10 minutes we we're wake for 5 days - that was fun - kept us away from the IV fluids tho

I never did give water. But I would say as only bf she then wouldn't take a bottle or sippy cup till about 11m so now I'm thinking maybe next time I would try a little bit of water just to get used to the bottle as I would want to use formula and expressing is really annoying when they then won't take it.
Although I would probably try giving expressed milk sooner too I waited until a couple of months