To give water to a one month old baby?

[Mrbumpoid]

My 4 week old seems to want feeding all the time and takes 20-40ml here an there (every 15-30 mins sometimes) as well as the odd larger feed.

Midwife said in those smaller feeds, to give her water instead bc she is just eating for the sake of it. She said to stick 30ml in the bottle.

I've read that water isn't great for a baby. Anyway, we tried it today and baby didn't like it, choked each time and I just felt like I wanted to give her milk.

Are you FF? Have you tried hungrier baby milk?
My son is 6 weeks and I only have him 2oz of water a day when it was hot. He didn't drink the whole lot but I heard you shouldn't give them it the way your midwife has told you to as it isn't great for them. But you get told all different information which contradicts other information you've been told! It's very confusing!

Also just realised my baby was on 3-4oz at 4 weeks old and HV and midwife said that's fine. Maybe up your baby's feed. He's not 6 weeks and been on 5oz for 2 weeks. He's happy on that at the moment. X

Now*

Do not give your newborn water for fucks sake. Is your midwife actually qualified? Because that is ridiculously dangerous advice and I would be reporting her for telling you that.

Just feed as and when baby wants - MILK not water. Hungrier baby milk is just full of fillers to stop them digesting food quickly so they think they’re full but they’re not. So don’t use that either.

You just have a snacker, that is fine. Your baby’s stomach is tiny atm so she does need feeds often. They’ll space out as she grows.

That strikes me as very dodgy advice. Certainly I'd try a dummy before I tried water. Even FF babies really only need water in very hot weather.

That's fucking horrendous - please do not give your tiny baby water!!!

I'd try giving DC another ounce of milk, see how you get on

No! This is terrible advice. Get a second opinion from a health visitor/midwife. FF babies can still cluster feed or you may need hungrier baby milk

Is she reflux-y? As in silent reflux. Check online for symptoms.

Your health visitor is wrong. Do not give water. Feed milk on demand and DO NOT use hungry baby milk!

Yes she is bottle fed.

With regards to reflux - she is sick a little after a feed but only a dribble or two. She has also been sick clear liquid a few times.

I did feel strange with the water advice which is why I came on here. I've dealt with literally about 15 different midwives/health visitors in the last 4 weeks and they ALL contradict each other with literally everything. It is ridiculous?! 🙄😫

No, no water and no “hungry baby” bollocks. It’s fine, they’ll gradually go longer between feeds.

A 4 week old baby that 'eats for the sake of it'

My eyes just rolled so hard, I think I sprained something

Clear acidic liquid (what smell ?) can be silent reflux. Baby Gaviscon May help. Drinking frequently to sooth the acid coming up her oesophagus is what she is doing. Also I would change to anti reflux formula over hungry baby (second the other posters to avoid this). Beware it is a bit thicker to aid staying in her tummy and might necessitate a teat size change. Speaking as a mum of two silent refluxers, one normal puky reflux and three dairy intolerants. Do your research and build a relationship with your doctor or pharmacist.

No idea how many ounces 20-40 ml is but I just fed mine if and when and what they wanted.

That feeding pattern is totally normal at 4 weeks surely?

OP, I'm a midwife. Do not give her water. Continue to formula feed and take your lead from your DD. She will sometimes take larger feeds and sometimes smaller, very regular feeds. It is completely normal. Trust your instincts.