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Weaning

Find weaning advice from other Mumsnetters on our Weaning forum. Use our child development calendar for more information.

Original poster

Why offer water?

16 replies

springerspaniel · 14/12/2005 17:41

I started weaning a couple of weeks ago and it is going really well. I am very slowly winding down breastfeeding too and having no problems with LO accepting bottles of formula.

I'm not offerring water and I don't really understand how you know when to or if you need to? His routine is as follows:

7am Boob feed
11am Small boob feed, bottle of formula and some baby rice mixed with fruit or veg
3pm Small boob feed, bottle of formula and some baby rice mixed with fruit or veg
7pm Small boob feed, bottle of formula

I'm careful about him getting enough milk (he is just over 5 months) so I never offer solids until he refuses the milk and always offer a drink of milk following solids which he rarely takes.

Why give water? Is it avoid constipation?

OP posts:
NotQuiteCockney · 14/12/2005 17:45

Yes, it's largely to avoid constipation.

It's only as they start taking more solids, and less milk, that water becomes necessary.

And it takes them a while to actually take water, so offering sooner rather than later is wise.

Original poster
springerspaniel · 14/12/2005 17:49

Thanks. How tricky to find the balance between making sure they get enough calories and enough fluid. I guess if he is thirsty, he will drink water as when I'm thirsty, the last thing I want is a thick milkshake. He's had water a few times before when I mixed Calpol with it as failed miserably with syringe method. Think I will try offering him it after his solids. Yet more washing up! LOL.

OP posts:
NotQuiteCockney · 14/12/2005 19:01

Um. Not to point out the obvious, but at 5 months, the ideal balance of fluid and calories is in formula.

Formula has more calories than any of the solids you're offering.

Original poster
springerspaniel · 15/12/2005 14:15

Thanks anyway but I'm not looking for any advice on whether or not to wean my child.

OP posts:
daisiesinaline · 15/12/2005 14:52

If you are still BF he will still be getting a drink from the foremilk anyway if he is thirsty but eventually you won't be BF and he will need water. So I would offer water now so he gets used to it, more to set a habit at this stage than a need for him. Offer from a beaker. I would use a 'non spill' beaker so that he needs to suck it and it won't come out too fast. Hope that helps.

Original poster
springerspaniel · 15/12/2005 15:52

Thanks. I just tried from a little weaning bowl thing today and he seemed quite happy to gargle with it! I'll keep offering at the end of a meal.

I remember going to a dental talk when LO was only a few weeks old and there was a load of advice about non-spill beakers. I can't remember what they said other than not to put sweet stuff in them. The dental nurse recommended one type that wasn't 'anyway up' but I looked in the shop the other day and there are about a zillion. Most confusing.

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Original poster
springerspaniel · 15/12/2005 15:53

So do people who have formula fed all the way through offer water or just when they start weaning?

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merrymarchhare · 15/12/2005 15:55

DS was FF. Offered water at same time as weaning.

Original poster
springerspaniel · 15/12/2005 16:10

Did he drink much compared to how much milk he was drinking? I'm pretty sure he is getting enough fluids as his increased appetite over the last few weeks has led to a huge increase in milk intake and his wet nappies are enormous.

OP posts:
merrymarchhare · 15/12/2005 20:51

Oh no, not at all. He didnt really like it to start with. I just thought it better to get into the swing of it (in a cup as well) for when he was having less milk.

Original poster
springerspaniel · 16/12/2005 09:01

Fair enough. Think I'll keep offering it at the end of a meal. He seemed to enjoy taking a big mouthful and then letting it pour down his chin. LOL.

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lindster · 16/12/2005 10:56

my ds loves spitting it all back out! I started him on a tommee tippee beaker with 2 little handles at 4 months. he wouldnt take water from a bottle. He only drinks small amounts but only has water with his dinner now (7 months old) so i know hes getting it then. Just keep trying.

MelissasSecretSanta · 16/12/2005 11:17

SS, from a dental point of view, any beaker will be better than a bottle. Do you remember why she said not an anyway up beaker?

MelissasSecretSanta · 16/12/2005 11:18

apart from the fact that they seem hurmetically (sp)sealed!

Tatties · 16/12/2005 11:30

Offer water in a beaker after solids. At this age it is more about exposure to it. I offered ds water when I introduced solids and at first he would just play with the cup and chew on the spout. But after about a month he actually started drinking some. If you start offering water now, he will be used to it by the time he needs it. Apparently the tommee tippee style beakers are the best, as you don't have to suck from them and they need to get used to drinking without having to suck. I believe some of the non-spill ones are very hard to extract liquid from and aren't good for muscle development.

Original poster
springerspaniel · 16/12/2005 16:19

I think it was also to do with if you ever put juice in them then they have to suck really hard and blast their teeth with sugar.

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