giving water to baby

[Billsey]

Hi guy's, when is it best to start giving water, so muchadvice out there from HV and books but all seems so different.

my DS is 14 weeks and formula fed

Not until they're on solids really! I started giving some after meals.

I didnt give ds extra water until he started solids at 5 1/2 months. They dont really need it unless they are constipated or it is really hot.

Unless you are in a hot country or we are having an extreme heatwave, its best not to give water until you start weaning. ie after 6 months.

About to start weaning my little one too and was wondering - sorry if this is obvious!- what kind of water to give. Should I boil and chill it first, use bottled water or is tap water ok?

Boil and cool, give at room temp or warmish.

Bottled water (as a rule) has more minerals in than is good for a baby, so avoid that. Tap water from about a year.

if under 6 months, boil and cool the water. If over 6 months tap water is fine.

If you LO is under 6 months you shouldn't be weaning anyway, so tap water will be fine.

I started offering cooled boiled water in a cup from about 5.5 months with food, but ds wasn't interested. Now at 6 months as he's eating more he does sometimes drink some water with meals - just a few sips. I give him tap water now.