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giving water to babies
Added: 1073 days ago.
Added by: BrookeAmber
Section: General.
Status: This question is Closed. (Questions will be closed after 10 days.)


When is it ok to give your baby plain water?

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Debra - 1072 days ago Rating: 0 (0 votes) After 6 months of age. You can start with a little bit and if its hot. Otherwise milk is best until they are eating a more full diet. I started giving him water when it was really hot outside. I still give him water and he drinks about 5 oz a day. He's 15 months now. He also drinks about 5 oz of milk and breastmilk on top of that. He eats a full diet of fruits, veggies, meats and grains 3x a day plus a snack in the afternoon. Young babies below the age of 6 months should not be given water unless dehydrated and you they need to drink more than their usual amount of formula or breast milk. It can affect their sodium/ water balance. In order to cause water toxicity as someone suggested, you have to let them drink ALOT of water and only water and then not let them pee it out- pretty hard to do. Overall, if you when you start introducing solids, they should still be getting most of their nutrition from milk/ formula. Once they are eating a full range of foods and most of their intake is from solids and they are drinking 2 cups of milk per day (around 9 months plus if you follow a recommended toddler diet), they can have as much free water as they want unless they have kidney or cardiac issues (and then you should be getting your nutritional guidelines from your pediatrician). Also avoid giving your babies/ toddlers anything but milk or water for the first 2 years of life. They do not need juice or any type of carbonated or caffeinated beverage- all of which is just empty calories. here is a free online guide for a healthy start and is written by nutritionists and nurses and doctors: http://www.health.gov.bc.ca/library/publications/year/2009/ToddlersFirstSteps/TFS_HealthyEating.pdf Hope this helps. Feel free to message me if you have any questions. I'm an RN and have a 15 month old at home who loves to eat anything and everything (aka a non-picky eater). I don't give him any juice or junk food and followed the above link's guidelines when feeding my son.

aprilraine - 1072 days ago Rating: 0 (0 votes) it flushes out their much needed electrolytes and can cause seizures if given too much. I dont think any is reccommended under 6 mos, and after 6 mos 1oz/day.

wisfarmgirl - 1072 days ago Rating: 0 (0 votes) Not until they are at least 6 months old. Otherwise they can fill up on water, but they should be filling up on milk/formula. When you do start giving them water, don't give them too much, their kidneys are so small you don't want to flush out their system.

vamama - 1073 days ago Rating: 0 (0 votes) I tried giving my 3½ month old daughter so she can get rid of the hipcups she wouldn't drink it so how can I get her to drink it when she get older.

jessicadarling - 1073 days ago Rating: 0 (0 votes) it all has to do with the sodium balance. I let my daughter have anout an ounce at breakfast starting at about 8 months but my doctor says no water until 10 months old. It is very unsafe for them and they can get water intoxication which is swelling around the brain

jessicadarling - 1073 days ago Rating: 0 (0 votes) it all has to do with the sodium balance. I let my daughter have anout an ounce at breakfast starting at about 8 months but my doctor says no water until 10 months old. It is very unsafe for them and they can get water intoxication which is swelling around the brain

olga777 - 1073 days ago Rating: 0 (0 votes) from 4 to 6 months: about 1 oz once a day is ok, especially if the baby is eating solid food already. After 6 months: about 2-4 oz once a day, and after 11 months its ok to give juice too, but no more than 4 oz once a day.

Kris10Harper - 1073 days ago Rating: 0 (0 votes) Our pediatrician stressed over and over how unsafe it is to give "free water" (water not mixed with formula) to babies at all because of it diluting the healthy bacteria their bodies need. There was recently a case in Indianapolis where a woman simply added an extra ounce to every one of her babies bottles (to save on formula & bc he was constipated) and it almost killed him.

karenbg - 1073 days ago Rating: 0 (0 votes) I thought it was unsafe because it dilutes the nutrients and can cause problems for the kidneys

daydays mom - 1073 days ago Rating: 0 (0 votes) we gave my daughter water every now and again because shes got bad acid reflux.

RobinG - 1073 days ago Rating: 0 (0 votes) 1 oz per per day month age but ONLY if really needed. It was once considered safe but is no longer considered safe for babies unless you are out in hot temps and need a bit of hydration and even then it is to be given carefully, it flushes the system of necessary electrolyts if to much is given. Babies who are "thristy" should be given milk IMO ~ and when sick and unable to drink milk given pedialyte. I gave 3 oz of water a day once my LO was over 8 months ~

oxoalicia143oxo - 1073 days ago Rating: 0 (0 votes) Oh I read the question wrong...my bad.

oxoalicia143oxo - 1073 days ago Rating: 0 (0 votes) No.