Does Formula and Breastfed Babies Need Water?

Absolutely not. At this stage their tummies are so small and if you feed them water they will miss out on the calories of BM or formula. At this age they do not need water.

Water is not necessary. Your baby should not fill up on water, weight gain from milk is necessary for brain development. You should drink plenty of water and she will receive from your breast milk. Try water when she starts baby food in a few months from a small sippy cup.

There is varying opinions on this, even among experts, and per breastfeeding or formula feeding.
Here are some links:
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&client=firefox-a&a...
http://www.google.com/search?q=should+water+be+given+to+n...

It is also said that water should not replace or interfere with the infant's feedings, as this is where their nutrition is coming from and they need this, especially since your baby is only 2.5 months old. Still young.
In my situation when I had my babies, per doctor, I also did not feed them water until about 5-6 months old. Things may be different now... but I did not want to make them "full" on water and thereby "skip" their nursings.

Maybe ask your Pediatrician. There seems to be varying opinions on this matter.
Good luck,
~Susan
www.cafepress.com/littlegooogoo

Hi, how are your doing? When my children were infants even though they were drinking breast milk and suppl with formula, i did offer them water because, sometimes when infants are sick, and they need to drink water, they will not drink it because they are not use to the taste. But I feel it is important to introduce water even if it is an ounce or two at a time. Just like we as adults need extra water especially during hot weather, children and infants as well need it. SO before the hotter weather begins, my advise is to introduce water. Then when they do get sick and the doctor states offer them water, at least they are used to it and they will not think of the water as something I have to drink only when I am sick. A little water will never hurt. Just introduce an ounce ot two at a time. But always ask your childs doctor first.

My doctor always told me "she doesn't need water," but my daughter has always LOVED water from day one until now at age 12. I don't know if it's right or wrong, but it worked for us. My doctor said, "if she'll drink water, she'll drink formula," but that wasn't the case for us. We just limited her water intake to a few ounces so she wouldn't get full on water.

According to my research and consultation with my pedeatrician, babies who are on soley bm and form do not need water.

Babies who are slowy adding solid foods to their diet need 4-5 ounces of water a day which needs to be introduced slowy as well. hope this helps.

I know she is getting all the nutrients she needs from the formula and your breast milk and I did not start to give my daughter water in a bottle till she was about six months, but I am so glad that I did, it is so important for our children to like water which so many kids don't. When she was six months, I did not give her water in replacement to her feeding but rather I gave it to her when she was fussy after a feeding and by the time she was old enough to hold a sippy cup, I filled it with cold water. I really tried to refrain from kool-aids and sweet drinks and her teeth outlasted all of your cousins and I know it's because of instilling good habits from a young age. She will have lots of opportunities to have all the other stuff, try and get her used to the stuff she needs........CONGRATS ON YOUR NEW BABY!

Personaly, as a mother of three... I didn't give my babies any water until I started feeding them baby food three times a day. And even then, I only gave it them occasionaly. I believe as long as they are still given formula, they are fulfilled. On hot days, I would give them a little bit of water here and there. You're the mama, you'll know when it's right. Once they can handle sippy cups, is the time to allow water. Then you can just have a sippy cup lying around and they'll get it when they are thirsty. It also is a great "growing up" technique. Just have the sippy cup of water always near by them, and they learn to pick it up when they need it!
Good Luck!

my doctor says they don't need water until 3 mos and then sparingly unless they get constipated or it is hot and you notice they are sweating. on a side note - if they do get constipated do not use a pediatric laxative - use an eye dropper full of flax seed oil (health food store) or try giving them some acidopholus to boost their healthy bactieria in their intestines =)

Have you considered pumping? YOur baby will thank you for it later! However, no, they don't need water.

I don't think a 2 1/2 month old baby needs water - unless she is drinking plenty of formula/breast milk and it's HOT outside and you're out in the weather without ac. The concern about water for very little ones is that it could displace room for formula or breast milk - which is where they get their nutrition to grow. You don't want her little tummy full of water because she won't want to eat. A few sips shouldn't be a problem but it isn't necessary.

J.

I have a 4 month old son. At his last check up (about 2 months old) the doctor told me newborns shouldn't have water because it changes the level of sodium in their body.

hi L., i know that doctors say that the babies get enough water from the breast milk or fomula, cause mine said that to me) but however...... i gave my son water at 2 weeks!! belive it or not. i gave him hafe an ounce throughout the day. i hasitated at first when my mother in law told me to do so, but she has 5 kids who all got water early and they all turned out fine. (my husband loves water)and so does my 10 mounth old. I am so glad i did it. also, i do not give my son any juice what so ever. remember...water is life. hope this helps