When to let children drink water and how to drink water?

When is it appropriate for children to drink water? Children under 6 months should not drink water, whether exclusively breastfed or formula-fed.

In this article, we will tell you why water can be bad (and unnecessary) for babies under 6 months of age, and how you should give them water.

 

How many months old can the baby drink water, mom?

Why should children not drink water when they are less than 6 months old?

Whether your baby is exclusively breastfed or formula fed, until he is six months old and ready to eat solid foods, he / she does not need to drink extra water.

Pediatrician Alan Greene said "the amount of water in breastmilk and formula is sufficient for the baby's health - here taking into account the amount of water lost in urine, feces and lungs."

This is why with babies, giving them water too early can be bad.

Water has no calories but still makes the baby very full. This will make your baby drink less milk. This can also lead to weight loss and increased bilirubin levels. Water poisoning can be caused by your baby , which is a potentially dangerous condition.

Your baby's kidneys are not yet able to handle too much fluid at this point and giving your baby too much water will cause the baby's kidneys to filter out electrolytes and sodium, leading to dehydration and electrolyte imbalances.

 

Breast milk can provide enough water for your baby

Breastfed babies certainly do not need water

How many months of age can babies drink water if they're exclusively breastfed? The answer is that children do not need additional water. Kelly Bonyata (IBCLC) explains that breastmilk is 88% water (especially “colostrum”) and it will give your baby the amount of water he needs. Other nutrition experts from health organizations such as the World Health Organization (WHO) and La Leche League International (LLLI) also agree that breastfed babies do not need extra water at all.

Even in the first few days of life, a mother's colostrum will keep the baby hydrated, and you don't need the addition of other fluids.

Should children drink sugar water?

You may have been advised by elders in your home to give your newborn sugar water .

However, this action is not recommended by professional medical authorities. The Institute of Medicine on Breastmilk and Breastfeeding, said: “The addition of sugary water during the first few days can affect how often your baby breastfeeds. If there is a lot of water or sugar water added, the infant is at risk of increased bilirubin, weight loss, longer hospital stay, and latent water intoxication. "

In fact, some doctors also often give infants a small amount of sugar water as a method of pain relief, especially when they have to undergo short, but painful procedures, such as a heel prick. or vaccination.

However, according to a study published in Lancet, experts recommend that sucrose in sugar water is not an effective pain reliever.

 

Formula-fed babies under 6 months old also do not need extra water

Infant formula does not need to drink water

Formula milk is made up of about 80% water and will provide your baby with enough water. This makes it unnecessary to give your baby water, especially before six months of age.

According to pediatrician Stephen R. Daniels, you should prepare formula according to the formula on the ratio of milk powder - water printed on the package / carton, while working. Adding too much water to formula not only dilutes the nutrient content, but also increases the risk of your baby getting water intoxication.

Note when giving children water on hot days

We live in a tropical region, and you may be wondering if you can give your baby under 6 months of age water when you let him out and on a hot day?

The answer is still "no" as has been indicated by a thorough study (Almroth and Bidinger, 1990; Ashraf et al., 1993. Sachdev et al., 1991).

Even when it is very hot, exclusively breastfed babies do not need extra water. On those days, you will notice that babies tend to feed more often, with less each feed. This is how babies drink colostrum to quench their thirst, and this will provide enough water for them.

This also means that mothers need to drink plenty of water to be able to keep up with their baby's feeding needs on a hot day.

Formula-fed babies also do not need extra water on hot days; Just increase the frequency of feeding and make sure you prepare the formula according to the instructions.

In the event that an infant is dehydrated or sick and dehydrated, a doctor may recommend an appropriate dose of rehydration (not water) solution.

When should we let the kids drink water?

Infants and infants up to 6 months old

In this age group, you should not give your baby water or formula other than breastmilk or formula unless advised by a health professional.

Children from 6 to 12 months old

Once your baby is six months old, you can give your baby a drink - starting with a few small cups of water to help your baby get used to the cup usage. About two ounces every 24 hours is expertly recommended for this age range. Giving your baby more water than this can interfere with milk consumption - breastfeeding is still more important at this stage.

When your baby starts to eat solids, offer him a small amount of water after meals to prevent constipation. However, do not let water replace breastmilk or formula.

On your first birthday, you can increase the amount of water your baby drinks to match his increased activity level.

Infants 12 months of age and older

At this age, your baby will be able to reduce milk consumption and increase solid food consumption by three meals a day along with snacks.

Because these factors are combined with increased levels of physical activity, your baby's water intake will naturally increase.

The US Department of Agriculture recommends that toddlers drink about 1.3 liters of water per day (about 4.23 cups). This means your baby not only drinks water, but can provide water from all food and beverage sources, including milk.

If you are having trouble getting your child to drink enough fluids, try giving your baby water with fun-colored, fun-colored glasses or placing an ice cube in his cup. You can also offer water-rich foods in the diet like watermelon, grapes and different soups.

What is water intoxication in babies?

 

Water poisoning can be fatal in a newborn

An infant's kidneys are still immature and cannot process or excrete too much fluid quickly. Therefore, giving infants less than 6 months of age extra fluids (in addition to breastmilk / formula) can cause the body to become too fluid, leading to an electrolyte imbalance and a decrease in blood sodium.

Water intoxication in infants can occur with as little as 240 ml of mineral water a day (in addition to breast milk or formula), and can lead to brain swelling and even death.

Signs and symptoms

Vomit

Drowsiness and lethargy

Sweating too much

Low body temperature (<36.1 ° C)

Urinating a lot (6-8 wet diapers a day)

Seizures (facial twitches, lips patting, eyes curled, movement of arms and legs)

If you notice any of these symptoms, seek immediate medical help for your child.

The article has helped parents know when it is best for children to drink water, and for a few months they can drink water. Mom should remember these knowledge to take care of your baby the best

References

Kellymom.com

St. Louis Children's Hospital

* Please note that the information in this article is based on the author's own research. If you are concerned about any issues related to your baby's health (even if you need to know more about your baby and his water consumption), please consult with a medical specialist.

See more:

A baby died after drinking breastmilk mixed with water

Warning! Absolutely do not let infants drink filtered water

Questions about how to give your baby water to drink without harming her