WATER FOR INFANTS? OLDER KIDS?

                         

   

For a baby under 6months, water is not necessary, but also not harmful. In other words: it’s fine to give your baby sips. Starting solids at 6months doesn’t mean you have to start water too, although it can help treat the constipation that might result from the solids. A common mistake that parents make is to give extra water on a hot day in lieu of breastmilk. This can lead to electrolyte imbalances in a young baby.

When the baby is older and starting to use a sippy cup, I prefer parents fill the cup with water, and not juice. Toddlers and older kids need to drink several cups of water each day – not several cups of juice. Kids get too much sugar as it is. A little juice is a nice treat, but I think it is important that when kids are thirsty and they ask for water,then water should be given. It will help them develop a healthy habit that will last a lifetime.

WHEN DO I NEED TO START GIVING MY BABY WATER AND OTHER DRINKS?

As a newborn, babies get all the fluid they need from your breast milk or formula milk. But as you introduce solid food, their appetite for milk starts to reduce. At this point you may want to consider extra forms of hydration, especially as their activity levels increase.

Until they are 6 months old though, there is no need for your baby to drink anything but breast milk or formula.

Once they are 6 months old and you are introducing foods to them, you may like to offer them a small amount of water at mealtimes (tap or filtered is fine). They won’t need a lot but those few sips will get them used to the taste and also help them learn to drink from a cup. If you choose, you can offer diluted fruit juices (1 part juice to 10 parts water) but avoid soda and other sugary drinks.

Once they turn 12 months old, you may still be breastfeeding but you can introduce full fat cow's milk, or even pasteurized goat's and sheep's milk if you're feeling adventurous. Offer water or diluted juice in a cup at mealtimes and throughout the day but try to avoid fizzy drinks, hot drinks and drinks with artificial sweeteners.

According to Dr. Sears, “Breastfeeding babies don't not need extra water, though formula-fed babies often do. Your breast milk contains enough water for your baby, even in hot, dry climates. Formula contains higher concentrations of salts and minerals than breast milk does, so that extra water is often necessary for the kidneys to excrete the extra salt. Also, because of less efficient metabolism, formula-fed infants lose more water. ”

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