How much water should baby drink when bottle feeding, especially when warm weather?

[alibo]

ds is nearly 6 months, not on solids yet, and keep reading "offer cooled boiled water if baby is thirsty". May seem a stupid question, but how do you know if baby is thirsty??? ds has always refused extra water, but yesterday, took 2oz at about 4pm, is this enough alongside his milk feeds?

Oh, and another thing, what is the best time in the day to offer water? ds's appetite is up and down at the minute and in morning for eg, only takes 4oz at 6.30, then maybe a top up of 2oz at 8am. Same at 11am. Don't want to give too much water or at the wrong times and put him off his milk anymore. ??

Hi Alibo, I'm afraid I'm not too familiar with bot feeding as I excl bf, but I too read that babes on bottles should be offered water regularly during hot weather. As long as he doesn't drink loads (eg. 4oz in one go!) it won't fill him up. Think of it like when you have a drink to quench your thirst, you can still fit in a snack or meal if you needed to.

My suggestion would be to offer in between feeds if his mouth looks sticky and/or straight after a particular activity, eg. bath, paddling pool, out in the pram etc. Must admit my ds started solids at 4.5mo and he got water with every meal then with bf in between. Plus they don't necessarily like the taste to start with and it's good to introduce a little often so that they take it ok when solids start.

HTH and I'm sure you'll get some more advice soon

My DS1 was bottle fed and was about the same age in the summer! I used to try him on a beaker of water after lunch and kept it with him throughout the afternoon and let him "play" with it. I don't know how much he took in but it got him used to the water and evryso often, if he seemed hot, I'd give him another try. Good luck!

alibo, my first dd was bottlefed and she hated to drink anything other than milk until she was nearly one, and yet during a very hot summer like this she didn't become dehydrated. We eventually found that a little Hipp juice - just an ounce or so - in the water gave it enough flavour for her to take it. This may sound like a bad habit to encourage but keeping your ds hydrated is the most important thing imo. Look for your ds's pee - so long as his nappies are wet and the pee the right colour then he is hydrated. Water or very dilute juice won't fill him up for long so I don't think it will affect his appetite for milk too much.

My DD is 4.5 months and has been drinking water now and then since she was around 3 weeks old. We were paranoid that she was constipated so gave her some water to help it on its way. She has a mix of ebm and formula. At the moment, I offer her water throughout the day and she is gulping it down. I offer it mostly after she has had some milk. If she pushes milk away but is still grouchy, I offer her water and she drinks lots - clearly wants it! Can't balme her in this weather.

Thanks for the tips folks; ionesmum which Hipp juice do you use. Have looked at various baby juices in the shops and don't know whether to try using one of these to add to water or just fresh apple juice which I have had recommended also. I think I will try offering some after milk if it is warm weather; trouble is ds is so laid back, doesn't really cry for his milk, so have trouble knowing when he is hungry let alone thirsty!!! (think if I left him playing on his gym he'd just not bother eating or drinking all day!!) Will try the idea of a beaker as well, as is teething at minute and is very uncomfortable sucking on bottle at the moment, but took a few sips from the bottle lid!! Thanks again

alibo, we use the ready-diluted red one (can't remember what it's called now!) or the apple, 1oz in 7oz water so it's reaaly weak. Dd1 is now 2 and a half so she also has fresh juice (apple or apple and mango); however, my hv said that apple should be used with caution in young babies so I would avoid it until your ds is weaning. If you want to go the natural route you can use half a squeezed fresh orange mixed with 8oz water. Sounds extreme, but was recommended to me by both hv and sma helpline (which is v. good btw) and is used to treat tummy upsets in Nicus and would be good if your ds is getting a bit bunged up.