Water?

[houmousandcarrotsandwich]

Just wondering if I need to give my 15 week old, exclusively BF any water on hotter days? (like today)

If so...
Do I need to use cooled boiled water?
Do I give in a bottle (which he will drink from) or a beaker type thingy (which I have but not tried yet)?
Is it ok to use 'hard' water from tap, or should I use bottled?

TIA from a STILL learning new mum!

No - absolutely no need
See Kellymom: www.kellymom.com/nutrition/solids/baby-water.html

sorry that was a rubbish attempt at a link. Here

no, no you don't unless you live somewhere really really tropical!

breast milk is thirst quenching too

really no need to give water on the whole..

No but if you do it must be boiled cooled water apparently

No need!
But if it makes you feel better you can like ohnelly said boil it and let it cool first!
I sometimes gave DD water if it was really hot, think its just a mind thing, it made me feel better giving her something cold!
Does no harm either way

Oh and i would use a bottle at 15 weeks!

I ebf dd (17 weeks) but when out and about i like a bottle/cup (have tomy tippee for 16 week +) of water as sometimes when they want a little drink it can be a bit in convienient to get them out pram and adjust clothing for a 2 minute suckle when a quick slurp of water makes her just as happy - I never wondered whether this was ok or not but did this with both ds and dd when i knew they had had a good feed not long previously and they were just thirsty. I worked on the principle that it was not necessary but sometimes handy.

Thanks everyone!
Didn't give any as the sun went away!

Just for future reference, is it ok to use tap water if you live in a hard water area?
we do have a water softner (although not working at the mo ), is it ok to give softend water?

Sorry, can't remember what age you can use straight tap water intead of cooled boiled water but do avoid bottled - esp. "mineral" water - too many salts for little ones.

I wouldn't give a breastfed baby water at all - it can fill them up without the calories which come with breastfeeding which can cause problems and also affect breastfeeding (this is a small chance, but water is unnecessary so I wouldn't take it anyway) The risks are higher before 4 months.

Hard water is fine - it still needs to be boiled under 6 months though. From 6 months tap water is fine without boiling it. I don't know about water softeners - filtered water is fine, but unnecessary. So if it works like a filter, it will probably be ok, but if it adds something to the water then you would have to check.

Don't introduce water till you introduce solids, is a good rule of thumb. An exclusively breastfed baby gets all the hydration they need. If it's a really hot day (and I say this living in Australia, we know hot) your breastmilk will change in consistency and have a higher percentage of water in it to compensate.

EBF babies dont need water, it can upset salt/electrolyte balances. not good in a baby. wait until solids are introduced.

Thanks everyone!
I should have said that when I said "for future reference" I ment when we start solids in a few months time!
Intresting to know that breastmilk changes according to conditions tortoise , it really is amazing stuff isn't it?!