Should I give plain water baby? The answer to this question depends on many individual factors.
Does a baby need water in the first months of life?
There is no general consensus among experts about whether it is necessary to water infant water. It is generally accepted that the answer to this question depends on the type of feeding and the child’s well-being.If the baby is on breastfeeding, then there is no need to give the baby water. The baby receives the required amount of water along with the “fore” milk, and then eats the fattier and more nutritious “hind” milk.
If you supplement your baby's food, water will take up space in his tiny stomach, the baby will feel full and will suck less milk. Accordingly, he will begin to receive less than the required amount of food, and may gain weight poorly or even lose it.
It’s another matter if the baby is on artificial feeding. If the baby eats formula, he needs to be supplemented with water between feedings, since the mixture is fattier and contains more protein than milk.
There are also situations in which it is necessary to water the baby regardless of the type of feeding. If your baby is at risk of dehydration ( heat, excessive vomiting or diarrhea, hot climate, dry air), he needs to be given water, since children's body Loses fluid extremely quickly.
How to properly give water to a newborn?
If there is a need to give water to a baby who is feeding on mother's milk, he should be given water after feeding, when the baby has eaten and received the required amount of food. If you give water before feeding or during breaks, the child can “ruin his appetite.”It is better to supplement bottle-fed babies in between feedings.
You can give water to a very tiny baby from a spoon, from a pipette, from a syringe, after first removing the needle from him.
What to do if your baby refuses to drink water?
If your child refuses to drink water, experts advise not to force him to do so.If the baby does not have problems with the gastrointestinal tract, there are no symptoms of dehydration (no urination, dry skin, dry lips and mucous membranes of the mouth and nose, crying without tears), then there is no need to force the child to drink water.
If you still want to try to give your baby something to drink, try to attract his attention with a bright straw through which he will drink, multi-colored drinking bowls with images of cartoon characters.
Try giving water to your baby when he is interested in playing or doing something interesting.
Possible reasons for refusing water
The reason for a baby's refusal to drink water is trivial - he doesn't want to drink. Most often this is true.Perhaps the child does not like the taste of water. You can give your baby bottled water from different manufacturers, filtered water, or boiled water. Try giving your baby water from a different brand or from a good filter, perhaps. He will like the taste of other water better.
When is water really needed?
A baby desperately needs water when his body loses a lot of fluid. This happens when the child sweats a lot. And since newborns’ body thermoregulation has not yet been established, they overheat and lose fluid much faster than adults.So, a child needs water in the following situations:
- during an illness accompanied by fever;
- at high ambient temperatures (in a hot room or in the heat outside);
- for symptoms of dehydration, which may occur due to severe vomiting, diarrhea, heat or sunstroke.
Daily consumption rate
As already mentioned, breastfed babies do not need water before introducing complementary foods into their diet.Artificial children from birth and infants after the introduction of complementary foods until they are one year old should receive an amount of water per day that corresponds to the formula of 50 ml for each kilogram of the child’s weight.
But keep in mind that this volume also includes the water that the child receives with food.
It is believed that a breastfed child does not need additional supplementation. Since milk consists of 90% water, the baby receives a full range of nutrients for his body along with mother’s milk. Breast milk is both food and water.
If the baby is bottle-fed, then additional water is necessary, since the use of formula itself represents a large load on the baby’s just developing intestines, and without supplementation, constipation may occur. When starting complementary feeding, a baby of any type of feeding must be given water to better absorption a new type of food. However, the mother may notice that the child does not want to drink water and constantly refuses. Perhaps he is not yet accustomed to the new taste and the mother needs to offer water to the child again and again.
Usually, infant does not drink water for up to 8-9 months and this is considered the norm. Because after complementary feeding, the mother offers him the breast, which is the liquid for him.
How much water should a child drink?
In order to decide on required quantity water for a child, you need to multiply his weight by 50 per kilogram of weight 50 ml of water. There is a daily water allowance for a child:
- up to one year: 120 ml per day;
- 1-3 years: 150 ml;
- over three years: more than 200 ml.
How to teach a child to drink water?
Sometimes parents don’t know how to get their child to drink water. Should it be forced? Excessive pressure from parents can lead a child to negativism, and he will even refuse water even if he is very thirsty.
In this case, it is important to be patient and respect the opinion little man. However, he himself cannot always understand when he wants to drink. Therefore, it is important for parents to encourage their child to take a few sips of boiled water throughout the day. Since water has no taste, the child may not get used to it right away.
If the child does not have any complaints or diseases from the gastrointestinal tract, do not panic too much if the child refuses water. Perhaps he gets enough fluid from food (vegetables, fruits, soups).
To attract your baby's attention, you can buy him special children's sippy cups or mugs in the shape of animals.
If your baby is less than 6 months old, is fully breastfed and refuses to drink water, this is normal phenomenon. Infants up to 6 months do not need additional water because breast milk 80-90% consists of water, that is, when feeding, the baby receives 2 in 1, both food and water. But you still need to offer to drink boiled water at room temperature from a teaspoon, especially in summer period or at the height of the heating season, when the humidity in the apartment is low. The mother’s job is to offer, and the baby, if he wants, will drink, if he doesn’t want, he will turn his head away.
When you start giving complementary foods after 6 months of age, the baby may also refuse water for another month or two, provided that after complementary feeding the mother immediately offers him the breast.
If a baby under 6 months is completely bottle-fed or mixed-fed, then giving water is vital. Be sure to offer water from a teaspoon immediately after feeding and between feedings. In general, formula-fed children drink willingly. If the child does not drink water, then perhaps the room is cool enough that he is not thirsty. If the room is warm, then you should show the child to the pediatrician to rule out infectious disease. A child eating formula drinks water, but this does not mean that in huge quantities: one teaspoon after feeding is enough, if the baby does not want more, you need to watch his reaction.
How much water should a child drink?
If a fully breastfed baby does not drink water until 6-8 months, this is normal. A baby fed formula for up to one year should be offered drinks frequently. After a year, the consumption rates of clean boiled water per day are the same for those who were entirely on guard and for those who ate the mixture. To determine the volume of water per day for a child, you need to: multiply the child’s weight by 50. That is: 50 ml of water per 1 kilogram of weight:
- At 1 year old, the baby drinks approximately 120 ml of water per day.
- At 1-3 years - 150-200 ml;
- Over 3 years - more than 200 ml
Remember that the child gets fluid from soups, fruits, and vegetables, so he may well drink less than normal. You can’t put pressure on your baby and force him to drink water if he doesn’t want to. Different organisms have different fluid needs.
A child’s desire to drink water depends on:
- fat content of breast milk;
- on room temperature;
- indoor air humidity;
- the number of vegetables, fruits, soups, and compotes consumed per day;
- a beautiful, comfortable (to hold and drink by yourself) children's mug or sippy cup. It is important that the children's mug or sippy cup is made of high-quality plastic without foreign odors!
Just a few years ago, the answer to this question was categorical: “Of course, yes.” Today everything is not so simple: you need to take into account some nuances of nutrition, health, as well as the age of the child
According to the recommendations of the World Health Organization, a breastfed baby does not need supplemental feeding until 6 months. Does your baby eat an adapted formula? Offer water and tea, but don’t force them to drink.
But illness and the introduction of complementary foods dictate their own conditions. Be careful!
Only milk!
Breast milk is a universal product. It can satisfy both the thirst and hunger of the baby. Foremilk is 87% water, while hind milk is rich in fats and nutrients. If the baby is thirsty, just hold it to the breast for a few minutes.
Feed your baby on demand and watch your diet. This important factors, affecting the quality and quantity of breast milk.
Supplementing the baby with food can affect both the health of the baby and lactation.
Water can suppress hunger. After drinking 50 ml of liquid, the baby will not finish 50 ml of milk. This means that you will not receive enough nutrients.
The water contained in breast milk has nothing in common with that consumed by adults. It contains practically no salts and does not burden the baby’s kidneys.
Thanks to breast milk, beneficial bacteria in the baby's intestines grow and multiply, strengthening the immune system. Any other liquid can “wash out” the microflora and cause colic and dysbacteriosis.
Lactation is an ideal mechanism that works on the “supply and demand” principle. The baby, having quenched his thirst with water, will suck less milk. When the breast begins to produce milk in the required quantity, supplementation can lead to a milk crisis.
The water you dilute the mixture with may be quite enough for your artificial baby. However, nutritionists still recommend offering your baby water between feedings. If he wants, he will drink.
Be prepared for the fact that you will be advised to introduce juice to your baby at 3-4 months. These recommendations are long outdated. Numerous studies by modern scientists have proven that the baby’s pancreas at this age is not yet developed enough to cope with such a complex product. And a baby up to 6 months receives the required amount of vitamins from mother’s milk or an adapted formula.
Healing drink
In some cases, the little one will still need additional fluid.
Dry mucous membranes
Is the child's crib next to the radiator or is the heater constantly running in the room? Then the baby will ask for a drink more often, since high temperature and dry air accelerate water metabolism in the body. Apply the baby to the chest, give the artificial one some water. Also, ventilate the room and turn on the humidifier.
Colic
In the first months of life, the baby may be bothered by painful bloating. An artificial baby will need a special anti-colic tea or dill water. Breastfed baby? Drink your own medicinal drinks. Their healing effect will be passed on to the little one with your milk.
Temperature
In this case, additional drinking is necessary. Apply the baby as often as possible, and give the medicine from a spoon.
Diarrhea
Sunken fontanel and dark color urine - signals of dehydration. Even if the baby refuses to drink, pour liquid from a spoon.
FEEDING TIME
As soon as the baby is six months old, he learns to sit, becomes interested in adult food and his first tooth appears, start introducing him to new foods. From now on, water, tea or compote should gradually become part of the child’s daily diet.
1. Don't insist!
At 6-8 months, the baby's main food is still breast milk or formula. It is quite possible that the baby will not need additional fluid until he is able to eat a full portion of porridge or vegetable puree.
2. Let's drink it up
Protein foods (meat, fish, cottage cheese) require liquid for absorption. Offer water or breast milk every time after these foods.
3. Consider the norm
If the baby is already eating solid food, give him 30-60 ml of water after each meal or apply it to the breast. In addition, offer your artificial baby something to drink between feedings. The approximate daily intake for a child who has been introduced to complementary foods is 300-600 ml.
4. Accustom to a cup
Do not let your baby drink water from a bottle with a nipple. Buy a special sippy cup. Also teach the artificial baby to drink from a mug.
5. Offer something useful
So that your baby can quench his thirst, do not add sugar to water, tea or compote. Drinking sugary drinks at night is bad for your teeth. Juice in small quantity You can enter it into the menu only after a year.
