BLW - do i need to offer water?

[babyphat]

am starting BLW in 3 weeks or so and have a pretty good idea of what it will entail on the food front but am unsure - do i offer water with meals or just bf? am exclusively bfeeding and no plans to stop/cut down/use formula. will the bean need extra fluids to avoid constipation once she's on solids? (can't remember where i heard this).

also please reassure me i won't have done any damage - i gave her a frozen carrot to chomp on for her teething, but it defrosted quicker than i realised and i think she ate a fair bit. she is 23 weeks

offer water but don't expect her to take to it straight away - took DS about 3 months to accept it! Now he loves it but I still have to help him with the beaker. As you are BF, chances of DD becoming constipated is slim. Her body getting used to having solids may cause a few toilet problems anyway so I wouldn't assume that this is from lack of fluids.

Chill about having the carrot!! Babies used to be weaned at 12 weeks and that generation of children seem to be ok! I weaned DS at 17 weeks out of necessity (sure lots of people will be mad about that, but hey) and he's fine

I'd offer water, but not expect her to drink anything much. DD is 10 months and has only very recently got the hand of drinking water.

The carrot will be fine. Actually, frozen carrot for teething is a fantastic idea -- wish I'd thought of that!

I helped DS drink from the Tommee Tippee first cup, and let him have a go himself, and it took six weeks for him to pick it up and drink easily, but he never has much. If you're offering a milk feed on demand, then there's no need to worry.

thanks all!