when to give your baby water?

[countbartles]

hi all,

So, I know bubbas don't need water before 6 months as they get enough hydration from breast milk, but once they are 6 months should you be offering it to them? If so, how often? Presumably you don't want to be filling their tummies before a milk feed... and how would you know if they were thirsty anyway? I guess what I'm really asking is, does my baby need to drink water?
Many thanks for any advice...

I offer it from a sippy or Doidy cup with each meal. DD often uses it as mouth wash as much as swallowing it. At 8mo she's on 3 meals plus two snacks and I offer water with each.

DD is 10MO and FF.

I offer water with a meal and I find she eats more if I do.

Initially I used all sorts of beakers and she does best with a doidy cup. However, she still spills a lot and tips it up so if I want to actually get water inside her, I use a bottle I'm afraid.

It might be worth posting in breast-feeding thread as I have a vague memory that breast milk changes composition according to baby's needs.

ah ok, will do. Thanks gallicgirl.

I just offered it with meals. But if you are breastfeeding don't worry too much if they won't take it - breastmilk is very thirst quenching and hydrating :)