Don't Give Your Baby Water to Drink

by Valorie Delp | More from this Blogger

I have posted before in the forums that giving a baby water to drink is dangerous. (And just to be clear, we're talking about babies under 6 months.) It can cause malnutrition because instead of filling baby's tummy with breastmilk or formula, you're filling baby's tummy with water. Simply put, water doesn't meet the nutritional needs of a baby. Most parents know not to give water to a healthy infant, but failure to thrive syndrome and water intake are sometimes associated.

However, I was unaware that giving a young baby too much water to drink can also cause water toxicity. A baby has naturally intact sucking reflexes. This means that they generally drink to thirst and more importantly, when they're thirsty they drink what they need.

Babies' kidneys are still immature. When the kidneys get too much water, in addition to filtering out the excess water, the kidneys also flush out excess sodium. Excess sodium in the system affects the brain and consequently early warning signs of water toxicity are: irritability, drowsiness or other mental signs. In addition, a baby may also have seizures. This might be the first warning sign to parents that something is wrong. Other symptoms include swelling in the face, and lowered body temperature (around 97 degrees).

But What About the Heat and Constipation?

Again, babies don't need water. They need breastmilk or formula--period. They will get all the water they need (and the nutrients) from drinking breastmilk or formula. (This is by the way, another reason why experts say that feeding should be done on demand.) If you are feeding your baby on demand, even in really hot weather, he doesn't need water at all.

Likewise, if a baby is 6 months or younger and he is constipated, you should see your pediatrician--not give the baby water. (You pediatrician may advise giving water under very specific circumstances.) Babies older than 6 months, may well need and ounce or so of water at a time for constipation.

Also, parents should avoid diluting formula or giving drinks with electrolytes in them.

Valorie Delp shares recipes and kitchen tips in the food blog, solves breastfeeding problems, shares parenting tips, and current research in the baby blog, and insight, resources and ideas as a regular guest blogger in the homeschooling blog. To read more articles by Valorie Delp, click here.

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Learn more about Valorie Delp

Hello everybody! My name is Valorie and I am one busy lady! When I'm not writing or editing for families, I am busy trying to get my brood of 5 in line.

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