When do you give your baby drink other than breast or bottle?

11 replies

Simi · 15/10/2004 10:03

My ds is 6 months old and I started introducing him to solids a couple of weeks ago. I am still breastfeeding and wondered when I should give him other drinks (like water, tea or juice)?

OP posts:

Yorkiegirl · 15/10/2004 10:06

Message withdrawn

acnebride · 15/10/2004 10:29

I started giving water when we started solids even tho it was only a spoonful of banana a day, but i think it was more important because it was summer and we were in the south of France. In general, I would say start with water when you start with solids and keep an eye on the nappies -how wet, how soft is the poo, how smelly is the urine. How delightful is motherhood...

We have had lots of ups and downs with cups and at the moment i tend to give him water from a bottle because he will actually drink a noticeable amount. But he will take a sip from a cup so one step at a time I guess.

Have tried diluted juice once when he was hardly drinking but he hated it, hooray.

zebra · 15/10/2004 11:01

No tea, yet! Water to taste & a little very diluted juice r fine. Rule of thumb - no more than 2 oz pure juice/day at this age.

Oooggs · 15/10/2004 18:18

Just plain old water (well straight from the tap) at 10 mths DS has only had water or milk.

codswallop · 15/10/2004 18:19

champagne

pixiefish · 15/10/2004 18:21

My dd has been having water from my mum for 6 weeks- I don't remember to give her a drink of water as it's easier to give her milk

moomina · 15/10/2004 18:22

Tsk tsk coddy.

Guinness is much better for them.

(Small amount of water with meals and in hot weather, simi)

Sexyandhappy · 15/10/2004 18:27

Why on earth give tea - which contains caffeine even if it is super diluted - to a baby????
Water is all they need .... they don't need juice and if they start on juice and love it... you might be stuck with a child who refuses water !

When you introduce solids or formula you should give water... I was told by a lactation consultant that as long as you only breastfeed there is no need for water at all.

TracyK · 15/10/2004 19:48

a couple of friends with 6mo are giving fennel tea if lols don't like water. get from health food shops - but doesn't appeal to me - don't like fennel - but their babes love it!
my ds likes water - although use evian as we have fluoride in our drinking water. blooming expensive!

mummylove · 15/10/2004 20:12

hello

i breastfed for 8 mth, weaning was a nightmare for me she only really started when i gave up bf. i start trying to wean her about 6 mths. i would start with some breast, offer some solids and give water in beaker. most of the time she refused it.

this was throughout the summer so when i was out a kept a bottle of cooled boiled water and would offer it throughout the day, she only really took sips. it was only when i stopped bf that she would actually finish a beaker of drink. i guess their thirst is quenched by your breast, so just keep offering your baby water/juice when you give him solids just for him to get used to the idea, after awhile he will just click.

NotQuiteCockney · 17/10/2004 10:01

Sexyandhappy, you're right that juice is essentially unnecessary, and lots of kids get hooked on juice and don't want water. Herbal tea is a nice alternative, with no sugar or caffeine, it just adds a bit of flavour to the water. My son (now 3) mostly drinks water or milk, but sometimes likes to have fruity herbal teas.

Apparently giving herbal tea is common in Europe, and I've seen it recommended in books. As long as you stay away from anything with actual tea in it, and away from anything that purports to have medicinal benefits (e.g. echinacea or whatever), it's perfectly safe.

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