Can i give 4 week old cooled boiled water

[Fizzysherbet22]

Hi,

My baby is 4 weeks old and showing signs of constipation can i give her cooled boiled water and will that help? I also heard you can add little bit of diluted orange squash.

Which is best?

Thank you

Definitely not squash, not sure how that would help constipation. Talk to your pharmacist or midwife, but they don’t usually need water that young. Constipation is pretty normal at that age, just keep feeding as usual and ask a professional if it persists.

Definitely don’t add anything like squash. Have a google for nhs advice and bin the source that told you that. It’s awful advice.

I’d get in touch with your HV if they’re any good, or gp if not.

Don't give squash.

It's unusual for a 4wo to need extra water. Are they BF or FF?

If they're on formula then the ready made stuff can help with constipation, but definitely no squash.

I would 1000% not give a newborn squash. And I wouldn’t even offer water - is there a reason you think she is constipated? There is a huge range of normal in terms of nappies for babies. Some only go every few days.
Phone your health visitor if you’re worried.

It was diluted fresh orange juice they used to recommend, not squash/cordial.

FF or BF? Unusual for either to have water at that age and definitely no squash. What is making you think they are constipated?

We were told by HV not to give a baby water because they can fill up on that and then refuse feeds which they actually need. We used dentinox colic drops for both of ours combined with cycling their legs and tummy massage. A bath helps too as the warm water helps with their discomfort

No! Far too young.

If BF it's totally normal for very young babies not to poop for days and days. If you think baby is uncomfortable talk to your midwife or GP

No to water, and definitely no to squash. This is very concerning. Can you call your health visitor? Or visit a pharmacy?

If breastfeeding, just keep feeding baby

If formula fed, make sure all the measurements are right and the water is fresh water, freshly boiled

At 4 weeks the most up to date advice is there is no need for water. And squash would be something my grandmother would suggest, she is 80. Don't do that.

Water probably won't do any harm as long as you are giving small amounts occasionally, but it's probably not necessary and it's very rare for a baby that young to be constipated. What are the signs you are worried about?

Are you breastfeeding or formula feeding?

I wouldn't. How long without a bowel movement?

Gentle tummy massage, bicycling babies legs, a warm bath (or even better a trip to the swimming baths), maybe try baby wearing for a bit, some tummy time, anything which gets baby frequently changing positions should help with motility.

Water can cause dehydration. It sounds counterintuitive, but when you drink lots of water it also flushes out all your bodies salts it needs and this can cause serious dehydration issues. That's why water is not recommended in young babies.

If baby is constipated it should pass and if it doesn't, get advice from a paediatrician or specialist. Don't act on hearsay, that's how kids get sick

Neither.

I agree do not give them water or squash, both are unsafe at 4wks and will do nothing for constipation.

If you think they are seriously constipated, call your pediatrician. My DS was actually severely constipated but this was at 2 mo and I was given suppositories to help.

Contact your hv or gp. We were told to give our newborn water by our gp when he was badly constipated and nothing else was working. He had maybe half an ounce. But definitely not squash

I don't know if this applies op, ime sometimes a young baby (if BF) doesn't poo for a day or so as they absorb everything.
I would echo what everyone has said and speak with HV or GP.
Hard when you are worried.

Babies can go up to 7 days without a bowel movement before seeing a GP, as long as they're weeing as normal. As others have said, if BF keep offering that and if formula feeding, try some ready made formula as that can help. 100% no to water or squash. I agree with trying to cycle the legs as well. Bonus points if naked on a cream carpet or your favourite bedding

My baby got constipated at about two months old and elderly gp told me to give orange juice and cool boiled water … i rang the health visitor and asked and she was horrified and rang the Docters to complain. Luckily I’d only given a teaspoon of juice I felt so guilty.

NHS website has all the information you need.

Even if you end up offering fluids please don't give a newborn squash