While you can give your newborn water, it’s best to avoid overdoing it. The kidneys of babies aren’t mature enough to handle a large amount of water until they’re about 6 months old. Until that time, water should be given to babies in small amounts and not as a replacement for breast milk or formula.
Diluting formula with more water than recommended
Diluting formula with more water than recommended can be dangerous for your baby’s health. It reduces the nutritional content of the formula and can cause your child to become overly hungry. Moreover, it can cause seizures, which are serious consequences if your baby is less than six months old.
The signs of dehydration in a baby are many. They may include excessive sleepiness, fewer wet diapers, dark urine, sunken head, and lack of tears after the first few weeks. In addition, diluting formula with more water than recommended can lead to poor weight gain.
Diluting formula with more water than recommended may also cause gastric retention in preterm infants, increasing physiological strain on the digestive tract, feeding intolerance, and NEC. However, some studies have found that diluting formula with more water than recommended may be beneficial for preterm infants during their initial feeding period.
Avoiding “baby waters”
While you’re shopping for your baby’s first bottle, be sure to look for “baby waters” that don’t contain minerals. Mineral water is high in sodium, and carbonated water makes babies gassy. “Baby water” and “vitamin water” claim to be healthy, but they’ve never been tested on infants.
It is important to remember that a baby can easily overdose on water. Drinking water can also interfere with breastfeeding and may lead to inadequate weight gain. While most public water systems are safe, if you’re unsure, check with your local water company to ensure it is safe for your baby. You can also get private well water tested if necessary. This is especially important if you’re planning on breast-feeding.
Using fruits and vegetables with high water content
Newborns often do not need to drink large amounts of water because they are adequately hydrated by breast milk or formula. However, you should provide them with a few ounces of water at mealtimes so they can feel full and get the necessary nutrients.
Fruits and vegetables high in water are a great way to provide plenty of liquid for your baby. These include watermelon, strawberries, grapefruit, cucumber, celery, and tomatoes. You can also offer them fruit juice or pureed fruit. These will encourage your child to drink more water.
Although you can introduce fruits and vegetables high in water to your newborn, it is best to wait until your baby is at least six months old before introducing them to this form of fluid. Using fruits and vegetables with high water content for your newborn can help you introduce solid food in a safe and healthy way. Although water is an essential nutrient for infants, too much water can cause your baby to experience water intoxication.
Avoiding bottled water
Avoiding bottled water for newborns can help avoid the risk of water intoxication and premature death. While it is safe to offer bottled water to your child, it’s best to wait until your child is six months old. This is when the kidneys of your child are still developing. Furthermore, it’s important not to use bottled water to replace breast milk or formula. It may contain impurities, including sodium, that can cause harm.
The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommends that bottled water meet certain standards for safety. While bottled water is usually safe to use for babies, it should be boiled to ensure that it’s free of bacteria and other harmful contaminants. Furthermore, bottled water is not sterile and often contains contaminants like fluoride, sulphates, and other chemicals. Moreover, it is very expensive and may not be worth the price.
When to start giving your baby water
Whether you decide to offer water to your newborn or delay it, here are some things to keep in mind. According to Rachelle Markham, a private practice international board-certified lactation consultant, it is generally not recommended to give your newborn water until he or she is one to two months old. This is because babies’ stomachs are very small and their capacity for liquid varies throughout the first few months. It is also crucial that babies get enough nutrients and calories and plain water will lower their nutritional content.
Water is best offered to your newborn in small amounts during meals and at snacks. This will help him get used to the taste of water and develop the habit of drinking from a cup. The amount of water should be limited to one to two ounces at a time to avoid displacing his breastmilk or formula. A no-spill sippy cup is an excellent option if you want your newborn to become more independent and start taking larger sips on his own.
