Ive been breastfeeding my 8month old exclusively since day one but i seem to have neglected the drinking water for her. ds always had water with him as he was a formula baby but now as im breastfeeding i never have bottles around. How much water should i be giving her each day and is it absolutely vital? I should state that im also feeding on demand.
drinking water for baby
- jr7
- QLD, Australia
- Total posts: 24
- Aimee_R
- NSW, Australia
- Total posts: 481
You should be offering water with meals, but they might not drink much. DD is now 10mths and drinks about 1/2cup of water throughout the day, plus BF.
- Former Member
- -
I didn't think that babies really need it. When you BF the foremilk that comes down first is the 'thirst quenching' part of the milk and the hindmilk is the good, fatty stuff.
- ross_544
- NSW, Australia
- Total posts: 1418
It is not necessary for bf, although it can be a good idea to offer it with solid meals so that they get used to the idea. I offered it to DS with all his solid meals, but didnt push the issue until he weaned to 2bf/day. by then he was happy to drink water from a cup, that was at 12mths
- Former Member
- -
BF babies don't really need it, however, I would definitely offer it on hot days.
- 1244AE73
- QLD, Australia
- Total posts: 1
Ive been breastfeeding my 8month old exclusively since day one but i seem to have neglected the drinking water for her. ds always had water with him as he was a formula baby but now as im breastfeeding i never have bottles around. How much water should i be giving her each day and is it absolutely vital? I should state that im also feeding on demand.
Giving water is likely to cause your milk supply to decrease and baby to stop gaining weight. Do you want to stop breastfeeding? J C
- Gem_89_
- NSW, Australia
- Total posts: 95
I was told they dont need extra fluids till they start on solids
- BW4368
- NSW, Australia
- Total posts: 7
I was told they dont need extra fluids till they start on solids
If baby is 8 months, then she will be eating solids. Water with meals, from a sippy cup (not a bottle) would be useful for training her to drink from a cup. She will still get most of her fluids from breastmilk, so your supply won't be affected significantly.
- imgoinnuts
- SA, Australia
- Total posts: 2
my 11mnth refuses to drink water, i always have to trick him when he has a bottle at night, while he drinks his milk, i quickly swap it over for water.
- joyciebug
- NSW, Australia
- Total posts: 114
I bf both mine and they didn't have water until much older. I was told that breastmilk adapts to the baby's needs - on hot days it becomes more watery etc. As long as you are demand feeding there shouldn't be a problem, but just check with your babynurse.
- jr7
- QLD, Australia
- Total posts: 24
Thanks everyone, now i dont feel like such a bad mummy! ive been trying to keep the water nearby when feeding her solids but not using bottles its so easy to forget! sippy cup sounds like a good idea, no plans on cutting out breastfeeding yet i love it grin