Suplimenting Baby's Diet W/ Water???

I was always told not to give my babies water because it has no nutritional value and they get all the fluids they need from milk.

Ditto to Deanna. The only time in the first 12-months that I was told to supplement with water (and then only 1-2 ounces a day) was when my DD was VERY constipated and I was only to supplement until she had a BM.

Hello M.. You're Grandmothers advice is actually very wrong. Baby's kindys are not yet developed to handle water in large amounts, or any amounts. Formula and breast milk has exactly what a baby needs exspecially at 4 months to be hydrated, happy and healthy. There was recently a story on the news where a mother could not afford formula and so she diluted it with water. Killing the child due to too much water. Please be careful and ask a doctor. If you do not know ask a professional. Good luck and take care.

NO NO NO!
Your baby is only 4 months old... you do not start water yet... if anything, you should go ONLY according to your Pediatrician.

ALSO, a baby goes through natural GROWTH-SPURTS... and during these spurts in growth and development, they need MORE intake, and they get hungrier, and yes, even at night. You need to feed your baby ON DEMAND... that means 24/7. This will ensure your baby of PROPER nutrients and proper caloric intake, per their growth. You do NOT deny a baby a feeding, a replace it with water.

You do not give a baby water, to make him/her sleep through the night. If you deny your baby a feeding, then you risk denying your baby needed intake. And this will affect his growth and development.

And besides, if giving your baby formula, there is already water in it. AND, if you are breastfeeding, this is proper nutrition already.

Per my Pediatrician, a baby NEEDS to be fed on demand. And for the 1st year of life, ONLY breastmilk/formula is the PRIMARY source of nutrition for a baby. NOT WATER. NOT SOLIDS. NOT JUICE.

Remember, your baby is only 4 months old. INTRODUCTION of water is not started until 6 months old. Per your Pediatrician. ONLY.

Gosh. really, don't listen to Grandma. You do not 'train' a baby to sleep all night, with water. And besides, a baby does not sleep all night like perfection. A baby ALWAYS has changing sleeping patterns, per their growth, per their developmental changes, per their natural adjustments to their age-set. This is ALL NORMAL. Babies wake at night. They cry. They have needs. They get hungry. They NEED to feed. If you do not, and you deny feedings, and you only feed baby according to a 'schedule'... the baby will not get enough nourishment, and they will not get adequate intake per their growth spurts. It has been shown, that babies fed strictly according to a 'schedule' has even suffered and gotten into 'failure to thrive' percentiles.

All the best,
Susan

Also, if you are breastfeeding, and giving formula to 'replace' a breastfeeding... this will affect your milk production, lessening it. You have to keep this in mind.

Plain and simple BM or formula is the soul source of nourishment for ANY baby's first year of life...this includes hydration. Water will fill the baby's belly but deny them of the nourishment they need, and create an increase in feedings.

I heard the same thing from someone and was told that my 'overfeeding' was making my six month old chunky. When I asked his Pedi he laughed and told me it was a myth/old wives tale.

So, I held off on bottles of water until he was an older infant.

Hope that helps! And, congrats!

NO WAY!!! Breastmilk only at this stage and for much longer. They get all the hydration they need from your milk! If you do continue to give water (under pressure) then you must at least make SURE it is not flouridated water.

My mother told me the same thing. It is OLD SCHOOL. Sounds like everyone is giving you good advice:)

My mother told me that you were supposed to give your baby water so that your baby did not get so fat, since my first baby was very chubby, since he LOVED to breast feed, and the only thing that calmed him down from his colic. My pediatrician said "NO" on water, he wasn't worried of my baby's weight gain, that the baby needs all the fat(in my breast milk) it can get for the brain to develop. He is 4 1/2, perfectly healthy, perfect weight, and smart as a whip:)!

I've tried water on my 9 mo. old son recently and he won't go for it. He likes formula or food. He wants what he needs.

My second son still wakes up twice in the night, and has a bottle. He cries, we feed, we all go back to bed. It's not bad. And my baby must need it, or he wouldn't take the bottle. He is a very normal weight.

Good Luck!!

If your baby is formula fed I seriously wouldn't start giving him water on it's own yet. He gets all the water he needs from the formula mixture and giving him more water on top of that could possibly cause water poisening. Babies bodies are tiny and they can't handle all of that water. I'm not trying to scare you but there have been deaths because of it. People don't realize that plain water can be dangerous but for babies it is! A small 4oz bottle of water during the day won't hurt, but please don't give your son more than that for now as there can be serious consequences!

They get all they need from your breastmilk which is made specifically FOR them. No water till around a year. Unless you want to give it to him just to make her happy, no biggy, it won't hurt him, but doesn't need it.

my pediatrician told us that water this young can disturb the baby's electrolyte balance and is not recommended. I would talk to your doctor. All the best. S.

Please talk to your pediatrician before giving your baby a water bottle. I recently read an article about a baby getting water poisoning because the parents were poor and to save money they were diluting the formula. A baby's kidneys can't handle too much water. I know people mean well but sometimes the "old school" way can be dangerous and that's why those practices become outdated. Congratulations on your baby and best of luck to you!

nooo! thats shows right there how child raising has chaged. you dont introduce water till 6 months old. the only water your baby will get is what you mix in their rice cereal. your baby gets all the hydration from formula or breast milk. if you want to start to wean night feedings you can try what i did with my daughter. i would cluster feed her before bed. she would get rice cereal about 1 hour before bed then i would feed her a normal bottle (mine was formula fed) with some rice cereal in it. by 5 1/2 months she was sleeping through the night. i know your grandma means well but ask your babies dr before you give water at all. good luck i hope this is helpful!

Oh no, please don't. Talk to your doctor. At his age the formula and/or breast milk has all the nutrition your baby needs. The additional water can really hurt him. You usually don't start introducing water until nine or ten months. After you talk to your doctor...let your Mom know. Good luck!

Breastmilk is the perfect "food". THere is no need to add water.

At my daughter's 9 month well baby appointment the pediatrician said she should have some water in addition to breast milk. She didn't specify how much though.

As for the sleeping through the night thing...with both my kids I nursed them every time they woke up in the night -- the quickest way to get them back to sleep, but also a nice quiet time for both of us. Eventually (at around 7.5 months with my son and 8.5 months with my daughter) they stopped waking up in the night.

You already got some great responses, I just want to echo the NO. Please do your own search on it and/or talk to your Dr. You don't want to give your baby water right now. Breastmilk or formula is all he needs.

M.

M., no. At that age, breastmilk and formula is enough and baby is getting hydration from milk. You don't want him to have a "full" feeling from the water, w/ no nutrition!! Confirm w/ your pediatrician, and then let your mom know.

My pediatrician said just the opposite as well as all the baby books that I have - Do not give them water. Formula and breast milk give them all the hydration that they need as well as nutrition. If they have to much water they won't eat and they need food! And in addition it is easy to give a baby too much water which is very dangerous and can cause serious problems. They are so small that too much water can really mess with the balance of electrolytes and blood. Talk with your pediatrician please.

no water...talk to your doctor about this

Wives tale for sure. As long as your baby is having wet diapers and cries tears, they are hydrated enough. Breast milk is best, they get enough water from the milk itself.

Total nonsense. Ask your pediatrician but really, no. When you start trying to use a sippy cup (8-9 months) then use water. Your breast milk or formula are all the fluids baby needs for now.

A 4 month old does not need water. He is getting enough fluids from the breastmilk. Also, at only 4 months old, he is just now getting to the point where he may not need to eat at night. Every baby is different though, and if he nees to eat, then he needs it. I would say in a couple months he can be weaned off at night, but do it slowly. Find a way that works for you, as well as is consistent with the pediatric guidelines. The Babywise method is NOT and has caused many problems, so I do not reccomend that. Just be a mommy, listen to your heart.

Breastmilk and formula have plenty of water in it so therefore you do not have to supplement with bottled water. Water, by itself, should not be introduced until solid foods are a staple in your baby's diet around 7-8 months.

Oh and if you are concerned about milk or breastmilk sitting on his gums all night, just get a damp cloth and wipe his gums down...voila problem solved.

At 4 months baby is getting all the H2O he needs from breastmilk or from the formula. In a few months you can introduce a sippy cup with water during meal but only to get him used to it. I think the sleeping thing is just a wives tale....

My doctor told me NOT to feed water to babies as it can dilute their blood and cause seizures. Babies get all the hydration they need from breastmilk or formula. Just think if you drank all your meals - would you need water?

He does not need it.

M., it's a generation thing. My oldest is 36 and in 1972 we did supplement breastfeeding with water between feedings. We also put honey in the water. We NEVER put out babies on their backs to sleep. Things change. Thankfully I work in labor, delivery and postpartum so I've learned the changes. Tell grandma that we've learned a lot the last 30+ years and in 2009 we do NOT supplement feedings with water, just like we don't put honey in the water, and we DO put our babies to sleep on their back. She's suggesting things to you that were very appropriate when she was raising children.

No no no! Please do not listen to grandma. Baby's do NOT need water supplementation. Formula or breastmilk are plenty. If you give your baby water you run the risk of harming him. If grandma doesn't believe you take her along on the next visit to the pediatrician who will confirm that extra water is not a good idea.

Don't do it! I have heard and read water can be very dangerous for infants, depriving them of minerals. Also too much water can actually harm your child. This comes from my pediatrician and other sources.

PLEASE do NOT supplement your baby's diet with water. Not only is he getting all the hydration he needs from your breast milk, but filling his belly up with water is robbing him of the fat and nutrients he needs to grow and thrive at this very young age. I'm sure Grandma has good intentions, but our knowledge and information about child nutrition has grown by leaps and bounds since the time when she was having babies. If it helps, you can always ask your pediatrician. I'm sure he'll say no water, and then you'll be able to tell Grandma you're following doctor's orders. Good luck!

My understanding is that, if you are breastfeeding, then you should not supplement. Nature made breastmilk perfectly balanced and hydrates perfectly while providing all the nutrients your baby needs. Supplementing water can actually keep your baby from getting all the nutrients it needs.

I have read, however, that formula can sometimes dehydrate a baby because of the higher protein and electrolyte levels.

After 6 months or so, when your baby is eating solids and is starting to have a mouth full of teeth, water is not a bad thing. However breastfeeding is stil very important and the best for your baby.

No, don't supplement with water! I've had 2 different pediatricians tell me that babies don't need any more fluid than what's in formula and breastmilk, and that you could actually hurt your baby by giving him water.

You should definitely ask your pediatrician at your next appointment, but water is not necessary for an infant on formula or breastmilk - not until well after foods are started. The one thing I have heard given as good advice is the bottle at night - but that is for sleeping purposes. Sometimes babies wake up for food because it is an expectation, not a necessity - if you give them water, after a few days they usually decide to not bother because they aren't getting what they expected, so they start sleeping longer stretches. Can't hurt to try if sleep is something you are craving, but during the day ... I wouldn't give it.

Hi M.,
I didn't read the other responses but the answer is no. All they need is you. When you first start nursing the milk that you have is very watery and the baby knows that. If he/she is thristy they know to get a drink before you get your let down of fatty milk which is meant to fill them up. Your mom means well she just doesn't know how breasts work and it would be great to show her some literature or books without making her feel dumb about it.

Please don't supplement with water. It is dangerous. Formula (if you follow the directions) and breastmilk have enough water in it and the nutrients your baby needs. Extra water will prevent absorption of the nutrients and fill your babies belly and taking room away for real nutrition. Check with your Dr. or take a look at any books like What to Expect the First Year or the American Pediatrics Years 1-5. They have them at libraries for free if you don't want to buy them. There are also good medical websites`like WebMD or links off of www.parentcenter.com. When your baby is a a bit older they will be ready for water, but not yet.

Of course your child needs water. Just like you, you must give them water during the day. Now for the nighttime drinking, I have never heard that it makes a difference. You just need brake them from any feeding at night as soon as possible. Hopefully you are lucky enough to have one of those babies that sleep thought the night. My baby is 39 yrs. old and still doesn't sleep through the night, LOL.
Good Luck with that buetiful baby.
Maybe I'm thinking like a grandma, sounds like things have changed. I couldn't get my son to drink water anyway. He kept choking and I would have to fight him to drink it. So by the sounds of things, I am old fashion.
Good Luck with your baby.

Actually. it's kind of the opposite. My pediatrician says that unless you live in a very hot area (like Brazil), baby doesn't need water. Breast milk and even formula are mainly made of water, so your baby is getting plenty!-www.weelicious.com

your baby does not need any water. He gets enough from breastmilk and/or formula. You should only give water around 6 months when you start feeding cereal. because our moms gave us water as babies they think they need it. Ask your pediatrician and they will assure the baby is getting enough water....filling your baby up with water can rob him of the nutrients he would be getting from your milk.

I am an OB nurse and it is NOT recommended to give water. For the baby's first 6 months of life, only breastmilk or formula. Water has no calories and will only fill baby up, who will then take less BM or formula. Both BM and formula are primarily made up of water, so your baby is properly hydrated. Please consult your pediatrician who I am sure will say the same.

No, breastmilk is all the baby needs right now. Double check with your doctor. Information that grandma had while raising her child/children has changed. If grandma still says stuff, say the doctor told you this.

This is absolutely an "old wives tale".
You have to remember the saying - just because your parents did it, doesnt mean it was right. They also didnt strap their kids into carseats either :) (I've heard some interesting stories on that topic).

If you talk to your pediatrician they will tell you that the only thing a baby needs is breastmilk (or formula) at this age and till at least 6 months of age. As far as sleep - babies this young NEED to eat throughout the night. Most do not sleep through the night at this age (I'm guessing that your baby is still 4 months old - that's what it says in your post under "a little about me").

The best way to deal with all the advice you get (wanted and unwanted) is just to be courteous to them & tell them you appreciate their input - but before trying anything they suggest (if your wanting to) to talk to your pediatrician about it. Trust your instincts though & read alot of books on parenting - the What to Expect books cover alot of these topics too & are a great resource (as well as the internet).

HTH

It's not neccessary to give your baby water. In fact, even a few ounces can hurt your baby by shifting his/her body's natural pH balance which causes all sorts of dangerous problems. Please don't give your baby water without first discussing it with your pediatrician.

My doctor told me unless it's super hot NOT to give him straight water and not to even water down his formula. They're not supposed to get too much straight water unless it's hot enough that they are sweating. If he's four months old he'll start sleeping more and more during the night until he's finally sleeping through the night (mine did it between 6 and 8 months). Now if he were 12 months old and still waking up all the time I'd let him cry a little...but he's still tiny!! Good luck! :)

No. That is absolutely incorrect. Do not give a 4 month old water. All they need is breastmilk. It is the perfect food and will keep him fully hydrated. Even if you are giving formula, it is made with water so that is all he needs.

depends on the stool. babies need to poop as many times a day as they get fed. if your baby gets stoll as many times, no water needed, if less, you need to add water to the routine.
Good Luck
V

Thank you for taking the time to question something your instincts were warning you about. The majority rules here...do not give water. I think you'll notice that most of the responses that agree with grandma are grandma's themselves so they're probably not up-to-date on the newest info yet. Please be kind to grandma when she's offering advice, she means well, but make sure to trust your instinct and do your research, just as you are doing now.

My dr. said no water until 6 months, even then it doesn't need to be bottled, just maybe filtered from a fridge or filtered faucet, b/c they contain flouride, where as standard bottled water doesn't.

nope I did the same thing, sometimes as my daughter got a tad older about 7 -8 months I added apple juice and water

Unfortunately, your mom (or MIL) is wrong on several levels. At your son's age, he doesn't need supplemental water other than what he gets through your breastmilk/formula. Also, when he's a little older and his teeth are coming in, you should be giving him flouridated tap water (if your community has such) rather than bottled water.

Giving a baby water is an old outdated belief. My 88 year old grandma thinks that babies need water.

Your breast milk is made up of 3 things. The 1st and main part is water, 2nd calcium, 3rd fat (fatty amino acids).

I breast fed my 1st exclusively for the 1st year. No water, no solids. He was NEVER dehydrated. My 9 month old daughter hasn't had water and is still alive to tell the tale as well.

Whatever you do, if in doubt call your pediatrician. That's what they are there for.

Peace.

Just give him breastmilk, in my opinion. He is so young, he needs all the nutrition that his little tummy can hold.

Wive's tales...you should only be feeding your baby breastmilk or formula at this age...

-M

Hi M.,

I think the general rule of thumb is to wait until your baby is six months old before introducing water in a sippy cup. Breast milk or formula should supply the adequate hydration until that time. Bottled water--hmmm...considering the controversy about plastics leaching chemicals--buy a Brita pitcher instead if you are worried about giving your baby tap water.

Sleeping through the night--our doctor said that's when your baby sleeps five hours in a row at a time. For our son that happened at two months of age, but all babies are different. Our doctor told us that at four months old, most babies are capable of going five hours in a row without eating--so that if our son woke up in the middle of a five hour-stretch, that we could pat and soothe him back to sleep without feeding him. I think this only happened twice--our son was already a good sleeper.

As far as what your mom and/or mother-in-law says--I remember this being so hard!!! It's good to remember that while our parents mean well, they probably haven't had the experience of taking care of an infant for at least 30 years, and infant care might have changed somewhat--it's also possible that they may not remember when certain stages occur. :-) I would follow the advice of your pediatrician first on all sleeping, eating, and developmental questions first! We love our moms--but they don't know it all and may have forgotten some of what they have known.

Remember--YOU are now the mom. YOU get to decide what happens to your baby. Sometimes that's hard for grandmas to hear--they may not be used to their new role. Use mom for support and babysitting--but you are the mom now! Don't feel bad if you follow your own conscience and instincts. My son is now five and sometimes I still have to remind my mom that I am the mom--for the most part, though, she learned that lesson quickly and is an excellent support system and grandma!

:-) D.

Yes, baby needs water for hydration, but more so when it's hot to prevent dehydration. No more than one ounce (per baby's age in months) in a day. So, 4 months old? 4 ounces a day. I always made a bottle in the morning and encouraged my baby to take sips from it all day long 'til it was gone. Water is very important to our body's, so it's great to encourage it now. If your child is underweight, you may not want to all because they need calorie rich breast milk or formula. Never heard of giving it to baby at night. Seems to me it would just make baby hungry sooner. all of my kids (6, 13, 16) are big water drinkers, they even take water for lunch.

Your Grandnma is correct. He will also not have his teeth get cavities by allow milk to sit on his teeth all night. As long as your child is at a healthy weight, water is good for them. This trains them for life that usually they are not hungry but thirsty and you are forming good healthy habits for him for live. He also will accept that night is for sleeping not eating.

From a young Grammie who raised 4 boys ~ F.

Hi M.,
Well, my husband and I did offer water to our children beginning at a young age- in a bottle. I think it is a great idea, since both of our children are great water drinkers! Now 7 & 4, water is their 1st drink of choice, which is also healthiest. I see many other moms insisting
that their children "finish your water", but that is NEVER
an issue with us. We hear "please fill up my water cup".
I truly believe that this is because we started giving water
at such a young age. I even offered a sip or two (in a bottle) probably from age 2 months. So, it worked for us!

Nooo!!! Baby needs all the calories and water he can get from the breastmilk (which is also what 90% water) I know Grandma has good intentions but baby should be fed bm everytime he asks for it.

My bff told me a great thing when people start giving all this advice that you really dont want to hear or give opinion to. Thanks for the tip...I'll keep that in mind. lol

Honey, your Grandmother is right. Water will help to fill your baby, so that you are not giving him/her too much formula. Night time is good, your baby won't be sleeping w/ the milk collecting in his/her gums all night. Water also helps w/ the urinary track. Yes, I agree, give your baby water, it won't hurt, Grandmother's know best.

I say wives tales! At four months all baby needs is your breastmilk. My doctor did tell that when the weather is hot and humid, that is is fine to give a little water to help hydrate. But truly all that is needed is right there with you!As baby gets older, nurses less and eats solids, then water will be great (to help learn to drink out of a sippy cup, not out of a bottle). You are doing great, congrats on your baby!

I've heard the same thing. While water is good for babies, naturally, they should be getting enough from breastmilk. Giving babies water at night as a way to get them used to not eating at night isn't gonna make them less needy. Maybe grandma is accostumed to letting babies cry it out in order to train them to sleep alone. Consider how you want to parent and follow your heart.

I don't normally respond, and I am sure your grandmother has good intentions, but your baby is getting plenty of hydration from breastmilk or formula. (Think that formula is MADE with water) Your baby is so young, going through constant growth spurts, that I wouldn't replace a feeding with water just to "make him sleep through the night". Offer him water in a sippy when he is a little older just to help him learn to use a sippy cup, but his main source of nutrition until he is a year is from breastmilk or formula.

It is good you are questioning this- follow your instincts!

Hi -- for my first child i was told that too... actually by a 'nanny'... come to find out from a lactation specialist... babies DO NOT need anything more than breastmilk -- and no, it won't help him sleep at night. I gave my daughter water a couple of times.. but she was HUNGRY and needed milk (i had a tough time producing enough and it was a challenge at the beginning).
Now, i have heard that babies taking formula need water, as formula is not a 'complete' food... but as i've breasfed both of mine, i'm not at all an expert on formula feeding.

I was going to put in my 2 cents but it looks like everyone beat me to it... breastfed babies need no water... and check with your doctor. :-)

Ask your Doctor first! Too much water can harm your baby and they get all they need from breastmilk or formula.

I never gave my infants water when I was nursing exclusively. Save the water for when he is ready to eat table food. If a young baby fills up on water, then they won't get enough calories from milk.

M. M.
Hospitals will tell you the same, for every bottle of milk, give your baby a bottle of water. Your grandmother was right, I did this too and it keeps the baby from becoming constipated. The old ways are very helpful, since today much of the newer knowledge is just that new and supposedly better. This is not always true, I don't know the statistics but fewer babies became ill from constipation. Follow your grandmothers advise, she is not wrong on this one. congrats and good luck.

My Doctor told me to always trust my own instinct. He also said a lot of things have changed since our mothers were mothers. If she knew as much as she thinks she does she would know that the majority of breast milk is water. Babies wake up because they are hungry, and their nervous systems are developing. And that is what also wakes them up. Some people say the same thing about rice cereal. And leading Doctors say other wise. Good Luck! And trust what you think. J.

Absolutely not. If he is exclusively eating formula or breast milk, he is getting the exact amount of fluid that he could possible need. He is 4 month old for god sakes!! He is supposed to be eating like every 4 hours or so. Your lucky if he will sleep for 6 hours straight at night.
I see her point about him waking up in the middle of the night expecting food. But, if he is not hungry, he shouldn't wake up anyway.
Honestly........tell her to butt out......in a nice way of course.
I had a problem with my MIL. I actually live with her and she tried to tell me what to do about my baby's sleeping habit (I let her take naps in my bed) These we my exact words to her. "Well, she takes naps in my bed, and that's just the way it is going to be." So far, she hasn't said another word about it. Really, he doesn't require any water supplements. Maybe when he gets to the point where he is eating mostly solid foods, then you can give him sippy cups in between meals.
Good luck to you!

Everything I have read said that babies get enough fluids from the breast milk and/or formula you feed them. I would not start giving my child water until 6 months. At 4 months old they still need to nurse at night to get the proper nutrition and fat. I have also heard that giving your baby too much water is bad and they can get sick or even die from what I think is called "water drowning" from dreaking too much water. It does something to their blood and the levels of oxygen. I would also she with your pediatrician. Good luck. P.S. I don't think it will help her sleep longer through the night.

my mom always told me the same thing BUT every doctor that I've seen has said not to because they get enough water from breast milk and formula which ever one you use and that supplementing with water actually deprives them of the nurtients in the milk that they get. But I have been told that when they are sick to give them a bottle of water before bed to help loosen any mucus.

I gave my babies water when they were acting hungry when they have already had enough formula. Also, when they seemed a little dehydrated (dry lips) I would be sure to talk to your babies doctor first though. Water doesn't hurt your baby.
As for the night time water. The only time I did that was when I was trying to ween them off night time feedings. You increase the water and decrease the formula until they are only drinking water and don't need to wake up to feed anymore.

Hi M., Listen to Grandma, all living beings need water, at night though I had my babies on rice cereal at 6 weeks to help them sleep through the night ( my mom's advice ) she had 5 kids and we were all on rice cereal and 6 weeks, all healthy. J. L.

Hi M.,
A 4 month old baby should be getting all the fluid he needs from the breast milk or formula. If your house is dry, put in a cold air humidfier so your son doesn't get dehydrated. When he is closer to a year old you can start getting him used to water but 4 months is too young.

Good luck!

When a baby is old enought to have juice then they can have water. I always carried water water around for my 2 girls and they are 16 and 7 years old and not big juice drinkers. And its nice. But never supplement. nurishment for empty calories, I wouldn't do. I listened to my gramdmother and lucky enouch to my great-grandmother but that wasn't one of the things they advised me to do. Good luck : )

ABSOLUTELY NOT! Please consult with your pediatrian on this topic. My pediatrian always stresses the importance of NOT giving water to a baby and that all the "water" he or she needs will come from the breast milk or formula. Unfortunately, recently there was a baby on the news that passed away due to the fact it had too much water. The parents of the baby were adding more water to the formula than what was called for in the directions to stretch the formula further. So sad.

Congratulations on your baby...

The baby needs nothing more than your breastmilk or formula, whichever you use. Visit websites like babycenter.com, babyzone.com and read through child development books to get an idea about when to introduce water into the baby's diet. I started introducing water and light chamomile tea (1 teabag to about 1 qt of water) to mine once he started taking in solids. This helped keep his stools soft. God bless Grandma for offering her advice, but I would not recommend "supplementing" with water, because if he's hungry, he'll get full on the water and not eat what he should, thus not getting the nutrients he needs to grow healthy and strong.

Is grandma, mother-in-law? I would not do that to my child. Your baby gets water through his milk wether it's breast or formula. If you gave your baby water through the night that is like depriving him of nutrients that he obviously needs if he is asking for it. You can ask your dr. but it just doesn't seem right to me. I know a hard part about being a mother is having to hear everyone elses advice. I'm sure you'll know waht's right for your baby.

My pediatrician advised AGAINST giving my baby water. Your child gets all the hydration he/she needs from your breastmilk.

From what I remember (my girls are now 7 and 10), don't give water. There is no need. They get enough of what they need with either formula or breastmilk. Plus I think I remember that it is not good for their kidneys. But the best thing would be to discuss w/ a pediatrician.