Mixed messages about giving baby water.

[nottsmum73]

My DD is nearly 6 months old. When she had a 3 month check up I asked my GP about giving her water he said there was no need as I was breastfeeding.

I stopped breast feeding over 2 months ago and have still been advised that water is not necessary. She was born premature at 32 weeks and her neonatal consultant has also said there is no need to give her water if her formula is being mixed correctly.

She has 4 or 5 6oz milk feeds a day but as I soon will be weaning I was looking to give water along with new foods?

Has anyone else been told it is not necessary?

Thanks

My dd is 9 months old, eats 3 meals a day and drinks lots of water. It's offered to her at every meal and inbetween too. I just don;t see how she could get enough liquid without it.

I was told that water wasn't necessary if you were exclusively breastfeeding (not sure abotu formula as DS never had it) but to give water with meals when I introduced solids. Which is what I did.

I think they need some sort of fluid on offer when they are eating and I believe milk with meals can inhibit iron intake, at least that's what I was led to believe.

See what other people say, I am sure the experts will be along soon!

becasue water is in formula and breastmilk and food

mine never drank anything other than milk in significant quantities until at least one year

I have just started giving water with lunch - from a cup
No-one has ever told me not to and all the books about weaning seem to suggest that you do. She seems to really like it!
Dd is 6.5mo

BTW from what your OP says, I don't think your GP and Paed meant to give mixed messages - it sounds like they were saying water was not necessary at that precise moment because you hadn't introduced solids at that time...?

you can offer water, but don;t panic if it is not drunk.

milk is still the main source of nutrition for the first year and it contains fluid too

same as theyoungvisiter.

DD was ff but I was told only to offer her water for a specific reason such as constipation. Now she's being weaned she gets a cup of water with every meal.

DS is 8.5mo, I offer him water from a cup with each solid meal, have done since we started weaning. He doesn't drink very much of it really, especially when we first started him on solids, but I thought offering it with meals would be a good habit to get into.

Good suggestions, thanks everyone.