when can you give a baby a drink of water, and why should you?

[Caz10]

Just curious - dd is 20wks and bf. I've seen people give their babies bottles with water in it and wondered why, and if I should be doing that?

I was under the impression that I would just introduce water when I introduced solids, but I was told yesterday by a friend that she gives water in between bfs - didn't like to ask her why!

Thanks!

I introduced water in a cup with meals. I don't think there's any need in between times if you are bf. Personally, I like the excuse to have a sit down

I didn't give DD1 any water till it started to get quite hot around May/June (we live in Spain). Up till then she had solids and bfeeds. She was about 8 or 9 mo by May/June and had been introduced to solids at 6 months.

You really don't need to give a breastfed baby water unless it is very, very hot weather. I definately wouldnt bother before he's on solids.

I did when weaning - DD started to settle so much better after that. With the next one I will give sooner as I think it really helps.

In answer to "why" I think again that some babies settle better with a bit of water.

I agree with (not so) Shitemum.

settle better at night crushw.e.? why is that?

thanks all for your replies, looks like i don't need to bother for a while

and we live in scotland so it never gets hot!

It was just my experience that's all - she settled better after I started giving her water. Obviously not the same for every baby....

Breast milk is about 87% water so even in hot countries you do not need to give any water until you start introducing solids.

Neither of mine had water until they started solids, then they just had some tap water in a sippy cup on the table at mealtimes until I stopped BFing.
If they are thirsty they just feed more and that is much less hassle than constantly wiping up spills from 'no=spill' cups