While water is completely harmless for newborns, too much of it can be dangerous. This is something new mom Katie Gorter learned after her daughter accidentally swallowed water in her bath. Though her daughter is recovering from the incident, Gorter wants to warn other new parents about the risks of water for young babies.
Hyponatremia
While moderate water intake is not harmful for babies under 6 months, excessive amounts can result in hyponatremia, a condition where the brain swells. This condition can be fatal in some cases. Fortunately, a newborn’s kidneys are still immature and they cannot process large amounts of water. It is therefore best to avoid giving water to babies under 6 months of age, or limit water intake to a glass of formula or breast milk per day.
If you accidentally give your newborn water, it is important to contact your pediatrician as soon as possible. The first signs of water intoxication include irritability, low body temperature, puffy face, and drowsiness. In severe cases, the baby may suffer seizures and coma.
If the hyponatremia causes non-febrile seizures, it is important to consult with a pediatrician as soon as possible. The condition is not uncommon, but the actual incidence is unknown due to inadequate reporting. For acute symptomatic hyponatremia, treatment includes a bolus of 3 mL/kg of hypertonic saline.
Symptoms
If you’ve accidentally given water to your newborn, the symptoms can be dangerous and difficult to recognize. Vomiting and a stiff neck may be the first signs of water intoxication, but there are other warning signs that your newborn may be more seriously ill. Vomiting can cause dizziness, lethargy, confusion, and even seizures. If the vomiting continues, your newborn may be dehydrated, and oral rehydration solution may be recommended.
Fortunately, most infant water intoxication episodes do not involve a glass of water. In many cases, parents simply dunk their infants in swimming pools. Luckily, a quick trip to the hospital can prevent serious consequences, including seizures and coma. A doctor can also administer intravenous saline solution.
Although infant water intoxication is rare, it does occur. The symptoms of this condition include low body temperature, puffy face, and irritability. Severe cases may lead to seizures and death.
Treatment
A baby may accidentally give itself water and end up with a water intoxication. This is dangerous as too much water can deplete the baby’s blood of sodium and cause seizures and brain swelling. Signs of dehydration include not urinating often or having pale yellow urine. It can also cause your baby to vomit.
Water intoxication is a medical emergency. If you accidentally give your newborn water, you should immediately seek treatment. First, stop giving the baby water and call the doctor. The child may need a diuretic (a substance that makes the baby pee more frequently) or a saline solution.
Water intoxication can be fatal. Babies’ kidneys are not mature enough to process water, and so giving them too much can lead to water intoxication. Babies can become irritable and experience low body temperature. They may also suffer from puffiness in the face and drowsiness.
Prevention
When you accidentally give your newborn water, it is important to remember to only give them small amounts. Your baby’s tummy is so small that it is unable to hold much more than a few milliliters of liquid. Giving your baby water too early can result in water intoxication. This condition can result in seizures and brain swelling.
Even if you are unsure that your newborn is drowsy, you should avoid giving them water until they are six months old. Water can be dangerous for babies because their kidneys are not fully developed yet. Water can cause their bodies to lose sodium, which can affect brain activity and cause seizures. Luckily, water intoxication can be treated with an electrolyte drink.
To prevent water intoxication, be sure to thoroughly clean your hands and surfaces before mixing water and formula. Using disinfectant wipes or paper towels can eliminate bacteria and disinfect surfaces. You can also use filtered or distilled water. However, you should not mix dirty water with formula because it may lead to dehydration or malnutrition.
