When to give baby water?

[mrscotton]

Hi, my LO is 3 months next week and is formula fed since he was born.

He has 5 bottles a day and has 180ml on each occasion, normally has the whole
bottle & only brings up a mouthful of milk on each feed.

With the weather getting warmer, my husband has asked if we can start giving him water between feeds to keep him hydrated (FTM so went straight to Google). I can see online that it says after 6 months but i spoke to the doctor on Wednesday about a different issue and she asked if we give him water yet.

Anyone know at what age is best to start giving them water? I would give it to him in a bottle the same we use for his milk.

Thank you

Unless it is incredibly hot and he's sweating, he doesn't need water til 6m when he should have some (not in a bottle!!) with meals. If he is so hot that he is dehydrated, offer 1oz of cooled boiled water, AFTER a feed. But you shouldn't be letting a baby get that hot anyway.

The NHS advice is here www.nhs.uk/conditions/baby/weaning-and-feeding/drinks-and-cups-for-babies-and-young-children/

“Water

Fully breastfed babies don't need any water until they've started eating solid foods. Formula-fed babies may need some extra water in hot weather.

For babies under 6 months, you should not use water straight from the mains tap in the kitchen as it is not sterile. You will need to boil the tap water first and then let it cool down. Water for babies over 6 months doesn't need to be boiled.

Bottled water isn't recommended for making up infant formula feeds as it may contain too much salt (sodium) or sulphate.

If you do have to use bottled water to make up a feed, check the label to make sure the sodium (also written as Na) level is less than 200 milligrams (mg) per litre. The sulphate (also written as SO or SO4) content shouldn't be higher than 250mg per litre.

Like tap water, bottled water isn't sterile, so it will need to be boiled before you use it to prepare a feed.

Always use boiled water at a temperature of at least 70C when you prepare a feed. Remember to let the feed cool before you give it to your baby.”

He doesn't need it until at least 6 months and then only sips with a meal. Milk should be the drink until 12 months

Thank you. He definately isnt dehydrated or hot, just made me wonder as the doctor asked me on Wednesday.

6 months and even then there's a limit on how much they can have. It's advised to never give water from a bottle because it can lead to them drinking too much.