Water at night?

[Expectans]

So, we went to baby clinic today. DS, 10wo, has once again gained 300g this week, and is now above the 25th centile.

He usually takes full bfs (both breasts) at 6.30pm, 10.30, 1ish, 4ish and 6.30am etc.

HV said he should be able to go longer between feeds at night, and to start giving him boiled water in a bottle instead of milk.

I think unfortunately that for the moment this is just how much he wants/needs to be fed.

Am I wrong?

A 10 week old be given water at night? Is your HV living in the 1950s?!

Ignore her. Speak to a BF counsellor to get decent advice as HVs are woefully inexperienced on the whole when it comes to BFing.

That sounds like the sort of advice my mum gives...

I would make sure baby is fed regularly in day, no longer then 3 hrs. Then let him guide the night feeds. At 10 weeks I would be surprised if he could go longer then 4 hours at night.

Oh my goodness.....did the HV really, really say that?

Your baby's feeding and growth and waking is absolutely normal.

I find the HV's advice shocking. Usually I hold back from rubbishing this sort of thing, because how can we know the full story, the HV has seen your baby, blah blah blah.

But I can't think of any justification in any circumstances why a 10 week old baby would ever be given water in the night.

Agree with all the PPs, there is NO need for a baby to have water at night. A baby that young doesn't have the requisite kidney function for processing water. Check out kellymom's article on water and the breastfed baby.

Breastmilk is 88% water - and a 10wo shouldn't be stretched at night like that. It may mess with your supply too.

Right, thought so. I think maybe she needs an educational top-up in bf.

Right, thought so. I think maybe she needs an educational top-up in bf.

Right, thought so. I think maybe she needs an educational top-up in bf.

Water for an ebf 10wo?! I've heard it all.

Sorry for triple posting.