OT: Introducing water at 5 months old or how old?

[Amirah95]

Clarification! I'm sorry the lactation group I'm apart of says I can give my baby water at 6 months old. Not should. Sorry for the misinformation!

 

[laughinplace199]

My ped says a little water is ok after 6 months, but I have not given DS any water. He's on formula now and I haven't had any reason to give him water yet.

We went to WDW in April when DS was almost 6 mos old. The ped said to give him formula if he needed extra fluids, but that was because DS was not a great eater in the beginning and we didn't want him to get full from the water and then not drink his formula.

We're going back in Aug and DS will be 9 mos old. I plan on asking my ped what we should give DS in between feedings to keep him hydrated. I'm guessing I should give him extra formula since he's still not the greatest eater, but I'll ask the ped to be sure I'm doing the right thing for DS.

 

[lexmas]

From what I know, water given to (a nursing) baby under a year is just for practice with a cup, as your body will change the composition of your breastmilk when it is hot to keep the baby hydrated, without them having to nurse more often.

Formula, I have no idea, but it would make more sense to me since the composition wouldn't change in the heat.

 

[jessica52877]

DS got some at 6 months in a sippy cup. I don't think he ever did much with it and never drank more then an inch of it. At 9 months he gave up his bottle and went to a sippy with milk. I don't remember giving him a cup with water often, but I do know that after 24-32 oz of milk a day I would give him water. Not sure how old or how often.

 

[teresajoy]

I gave all of children (all breast fed) water starting at 4 months in a sippy cup to get them used to taking fluids that way. This way they were never introduced to a bottle and when we were done breast feeding the transition was seamless to a cup. Bottle fed babies would be the same. Indtroduce the cup as early as possible, even if they don't like it at first it at least gets them used to getting their fluid in a different way and by their year birthday they will be ready to switch. Also having an older sibling you can use the phrase - look that's how we all drink our milk and with my kids the competition was enough to make them love drinking from a cup.
I would also give them their own ice chips in a handle cup and they loved this bit of control (makes a big wet mess, but it is only water)

I'm not saying that it is wrong to give a younger child a cup, but I have to disagree with the "need" to give a cup as soon as possible. My son had nothing but breastmilk, from nursing, until he was 1 year old. At that time, he went right to a regular cup (no sippy cup at all) with absolutely no problems. We aslso still nursed quite a bit as well, so it wasn't just all of a sudden he only had to drink out of a cup. By the time he was 1, his coordination was so much better than say a 6 month old, it was just not a problem for him.

 

[SmallWorld71]

JMHO - But, I don't think there is a right or wrong answer here. I would definitely check with the pediatrician on your particular child to see what they might or might not need. Babies weight, health etc... can play heavily into when and what to introduce. Although I nursed my children successfully until they were a year and have respect for lactation consultants, if you are concerned talk to a doctor. FWIW my two youngest kids were February babies and I gave them drinks in addition to breast milk in the summer (5-6 months old) with no ill effects.

 

[teresajoy]

Clarification! I'm sorry the lactation group I'm apart of says I can give my baby water at 6 months old. Not should. Sorry for the misinformation!

Thanks for clearing that up! I was pretty suprised by the "should" start water part! You have some time before you have to worry about this anyway, so the best thing to do is talk to your pediatrician.

 

[workinmomof2]

Both of my boys had sippy cups by 6 months of age drinking water. I am glad I exposed them to water early because now in the hot weather, they love water. I don't have to worry about them drinking sugary juices or pop because they are happy with ice cold water. As a mom you have instincts, go with them. If you feel your child needs to be taking in more fluids in the hot sun, give them some water.

 

[sskem96]

I'm a neonatal/peds nurse. Babies can have seizures if given too much water because it throws off their electrolytes. Giving them sips between bites of solid food is ok, but I wouldn't give them more than a few ounces a day.

It's impossible to give an age that's ok to start water, because it really depends on their diet more than their age. If it's extremely hot and you are worried about dehydration, you can give some pedialyte, or even half pedialyte and half water mixed, but limit the plain water.

Remember, even if the baby is hot and sweaty, they are not going to dehydrate as fast as you because they are sitting in a stroller and you are walking possibly up to several miles a day while on vacation. The main thing is keeping them as cool as possible. Keep them shaded from the sun, and take a washcloth that you can dampen with cold water to wipe them down. Only use a sun hat when they're in direct sun and need it to keep them from burning. If you leave it on all the time, it will not allow their body heat to escape from their head and they will get overheated quickly. Get a fan for your stroller, or a sqirt bottle fan. I'm sure older siblings would love spritzing the baby with water and faning them! If your baby is too young for sunscreen, don't forget thin socks. I always worry about babies in strollers who's bodies are shaded by the canopy, but their little bare feet are sticking out into the sun.

 

[kileybeth]

wow, interesting thread. ask a dozen people get a dozen answers!

sskem96, great advice, much more objective advice. I would also add you must watch your baby. Each child is so different, you know your child, make sure they look okay and feel normal temp wise.

I was worried taking a little bitty premmie (under 10 pounds) at 6 mos. to Disney in Sept heat but she did just fine. (better than the rest of us) I did take a pedialyte bottle with us each day but she seemed fine with just nursing. Her stroller kept her so cool and comfy. I would suggest covering any dark stroller seating with a little white receiving balnket as well to keep it even cooler. sorry OT but just try and go with the flow and your little one will be great. If you get to a place were you are concerned, you can always ask a CM to escort you to first aid or comfort station, they are so good about helping out. One of my favorite haunts is splash Mountain gift shop,I just love those rockers in there in the air conditioning!

 

[laughinplace199]

I would suggest covering any dark stroller seating with a little white receiving balnket as well to keep it even cooler.

That is a good idea. DS's stroller is black. I was going to bring a lightweight blanket for coverning the canopy, so now I'll bring two.

 

[Jrabbit910]

Love this thread!
My son is 4 1/2 months (19 weeks) old. I breastfeed him for the first 3 months but now he is on the bottle... long story short, he was only nursing from one side and wouldnt latch to the other and he was starting to get really hungry. He is 16 lbs.
Just the other day I was at my Ped office and asked him about this... and I felt like I didnt get a good enough answer. .. He did tell me that water wasnt necessary yet and the longer I wait on giving him food will be less likely to develop food allergies... (thats what I got out of our drs appt)
so here are my questions, first might sound stupid but are you giving your kids regular tap water?!?!? or is there some kind of special water I should buy?
and seriously, I had no idea that kids so young can be on a sippy cups.. i have to go out and get one...( i like to be prepared)
I also asked about the cereal and he said it wasnt nes unless he keeps waking up in the middle of the night... my son does wake up hungry but has gotten alot better since birth... maybe once in the middle of the night.

Anyway, thanks for your opinions, I really do look forward to hearing what you have to say.

 

[workinmomof2]

Where I live the ped said it was okay to use tap water as long as we don't have a well. I am hooked to the Village sewer lines so I gave mine tap water. I have have friends that live on farms with wells that had to buy bottled water. I breast fed both my children one for 6 months and one for 3 months. They both were off the bottle at one year of age. The both still drink alot of milk and water.