Mother insists I need to give 2 week old water- do I?

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My ds is ff and I have just been feeding him on aptamil first milk. The midwife said I could give him water if he was getting hungry and distressed too soon after a feed, to sort of tide him over. We had a few wind issues but infacol is starting to work and he doesn't seem distressed to me, so I haven't bothered with water. He is quite small but eats every 2 and a half hours, taking about 70mls at a time.

My mother insists the baby needs cooled boiled water to drink? Does he? He's 2 weeks old; am I dehydrating him? He has lots of wet and dirty nappies and his wee is clear and comes in abundance, if this is relevant.

I feel awful and a bit crap that I didn't know this.

No, you don't need to give him water love. They just say that in case baby grizzles too soon after a feed and you've eliminated everything else. don't flap, he's fine.

Sorry, just to add how will I know if he is thirsty? He looks perfect to me, not as if there is something wrong. I'm very new to motherhood and I honestly thought newborn babies just drank milk.

No. You don't need to give water.

No dont give water.

Not sure why the MW said that either. They really dont need water.

My mum has panicked me so much I'm wondering if he will need to go to hospital just to get checked out. As I said he looks fine to me, but then I sort of doubt myself.

Babies take their food and drink from formula. Unless you live in a very hot country he wont be thirsty.

He won't be thirsty though, he's drinking every 2 hours. I've never given my babies water, and have never been advised to either.

Really? No water? Thank goodness!

You've already spotted the tell tale signs, watch his nappy. If he's getting grizzly soon after a feed and the amount of urine output lessens and/or it becomes a darker colour then try him with a little water. But as long as you're getting lots of wet nappies, he's fine.

When my MIL tried to give me baby advice, my mother said

"It's nearly 30 years since we had babies. A lot of the advice has changed"

In fact, the best advice I had was, "she's your baby, you should do what you think it right"

FF babies only need water if it's very hot. Assuming you are in the UK then you definitely don't need to! As others have said watch the nappies but shouldn't be a problem in this weather. Some people try if baby is grisling but I have yet to meet a baby who would grizzle (sp?) less at being offered water tbh!

Next time your mum gives you advice, check on MN first to save yourself the worry.

We lived in Germany when DD was born and even then only have DD extra water when it was extremely hot.

For future reference, signs of dehydration

At 2 weeks old "too soon after a feed" is a bit of a difficult concept! Some babies just like to feed little and often.

Thirst shouldn't be a problem if the feeds are made up correctly (I don't want to worry you about this, either - just check you are following the instructions on the packet!)

Why do we have to worry about giving or not giving water ? Our body is made of water, 80%. Formula milk ismade of water. What is the problem ? It won't harm to give a sip or two. Actually it is a good thing to get babies used to the (non) taste of water early. As long as the water is boiled and cooled, I don't see the issue.

blueblackdye

Because drinking too much water is bad for anyone. It dilutes the necessary salts in our bodies. As babies get the correct amount of water they need from their formula, or breast milk, to give them more could upset the balance of salts in their body and potentially make them quite ill.

In 1976 it was a very hot summer and I think there were a couple of baby deaths due to dehydration, could this be why your mum is concerned?

In normal British weather you Lo needs nothing but milk for the first 6 months.

The advice from your mw is also concerning, if your Lo is hungry they need milk, not their tummy a filling up with no calories.

^ What Wannabe and JJJ said. They're on a liquid diet. That provides calories + hydration.

my bloody mother insisted on this and even gave her those shitty little baby juices whenever she was at hers

there was no need! there's water in the fucking formula

I have given my FF baby water due to severe constipation.

I am also a bit puzzled about the 'too soon after a feed' reference. Babies of 2 weeks old should be fed on demand whether FF or BF. why not offer a little more formula?

You don't need to give water. It isn't recommended under six months unless baby is poorly, i.e. Severe diareaoh. My mum suggested the same and I just told her that they (the medical experts) had changed the advice now.

blue I can't see why babies need to get used to other tastes, both of mine never had water until we started weaning and both drink it quire happily now. I'd never had prawns till I was 20 and love them, I just don't see your logic on that one sorry.

Also, if you are putting milk in their tummy a it makes less room for the milk, they find it harder to regulate their hunger and you could affect their growth and development.

and try to relax, feed on demand and enjoy your LO x

Sorry, I did not mean a whole bottle of water, but a teaspoon or two if they feel thirsty. It distracts them and get them used to water. Of course, OP you are the one who makes the decision ultimately.

^what pig's mummy said.

It is really hard when you get so much contradictory advice though