Is there any benefit in supplementing with water? How are water and dysbacteriosis related? What to do if the child is hot? When to give your baby water?

The answer to the question of whether babies need water is quite simple. Let's just try to mentally go back even a hundred years ago. And let's think about how many mothers always have enough clean (apparently boiled) water to give it to the baby without risk to his health? For many thousands of years of human evolution, babies in the first months of life did not receive water, because this meant a direct danger to their lives. That is, for a person as for species it is unusual to supplement small children. As, however, for other mammals, the cubs begin to receive water when they begin to eat the same food as their parents.If we talk not only about common sense, but also about medical justifications, then the World Health Organization, as well as the latest instructions from the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, suggest not giving extra drink to children on breastfeeding without special medical indications, up to about six months. Why?
The first danger is malnutrition. The stomach of the crumbs is the size of his fist, and he is able to accept and process a limited amount of incoming food (in the first month of life, this is 1/5 - 1/6 of body weight per day). A feature nervous system the newborn is such that the water in him causes a false feeling of fullness. Therefore, it is important for a mother to understand: if her child drank 100 ml of water, it means that he did not receive 100 ml of milk. At the same time, the growth and development of the child depends on milk, and water does not bring him absolutely any benefit.
The second danger is a decrease in milk production. Milk is produced in response to the sucking of the child, that is, how much the baby sucked at the breast - so much milk will subsequently arrive. If the mother gave the child water, then he will suck less at the breast. Especially dangerous in this regard is the nightly feeding of a child with water, because during night feedings the production of the hormone prolactin is stimulated, which increases the daily production of milk. This means that the baby, who is breastfed by his mother at night, thereby provides himself with required amount milk during the day. And if “well-wishers” advise the mother to “deceive the child with some water so that it does not disturb at night” - think that the child may be able to be deceived, but you cannot deceive the natural milk production system ...
The third danger is a violation of the natural balance in the child's digestive system. A child is born with a sterile intestine, and up to about six months it is actively seeded with beneficial microflora. Mother's milk helps to form and maintain the natural balance of bacteria in the digestive system, and everything that the baby receives at this time of life in addition to mother's milk worsens this balance. And if the practice of supplementation becomes constant, then very often a preponderance of harmful microflora over useful microflora is found in a child - the very phenomenon that our doctors usually call dysbacteriosis. Studies specifically conducted by the World Health Organization show that most babies who are exclusively breastfed for the first 6 months are healthy and grow well. And babies who received water or tea in addition to breast milk had intestinal disorders three times more likely than babies who were fully breastfed ... Do you need such a risk?
The fourth danger is the probability of breast rejection. Water is given, as a rule, from a bottle with a nipple, which often leads babies to "nipple confusion" - that is, the refusal to suck on the mother's breast in favor of the bottle.
Let's now consider the arguments of those who insist on the need to give the baby water.
"Water helps eliminate infantile jaundice"
Jaundice is caused by bilirubin, which is a fat-soluble enzyme. Not water soluble, but fat soluble. That is, it is not excreted from the body with water, but is excreted precisely with colostrum and subsequently with milk, which, unlike water, contain the fats necessary for the child in the optimal proportion.
“Milk is the same food as, for example, porridge. Hunger must be satisfied with food, and thirst with drink. Otherwise, the child gets extra calories!
In fact, the consistency of milk and porridge is completely different. Milk is 85-90% water. If adults constantly ate the same liquid food, then they would not have any assumptions that it needs to be liquefied even more ... In addition, up to a certain age Small child makes no distinction at all between hunger and thirst. That is why, as already mentioned, water creates a feeling of false satiety in him, displacing mother's milk. We are shifting the emphasis: since getting water is not biologically justified, it is correct to say not that an exclusively breastfed baby receives “extra calories”, but that a child who is supplemented with water loses the calories he needs.
“Water should be given if it is hot outside and the air in the room is dry”
Indeed, in summer, additional soldering is argued by the heat, and in winter - by the dryness of the air in the heated room. However, many studies have been carried out around the world in dry and hot countries (for example, in India at a temperature of 35-40°C and a humidity of 10 to 35%; in Pakistan at a temperature of 27.4-40.7°C and a humidity of 24 to 77%; in tropics at temperatures from 4 to 41°C and humidity from 9 to 60%), which unequivocally showed that children who were given only breasts suffered less dehydration than those who were breastfed and supplemented. The fact is that mother's milk contains the optimal concentration of all the salts and minerals necessary for the child - by the way, if an adult suffers from dehydration, he is also recommended to restore the moisture balance not with plain water, but with a solution of specially selected salts ... So, if mom thinks that the child is hot - it should not be supplemented with water, but it is easier to dress and ventilate the room well! A baby who is thirsty will simply ask for his mother's breast more often. In extreme heat, you can wipe the child’s body with cool water, and room air will make a steam humidifier or a simple spray gun less dry, but in this case, water is desirable outside, and not inside the child’s body ...
“If a child is sick, you can’t do without water - it will restore the balance of moisture, help eliminate viruses in the urine, and medicines can be dissolved in it”
In the above, there is not a single function that mother's milk would not cope with. better than water. The same medicine that the child will try his best to spit out diluted in water, he will take much more favorably with expressed mother's milk, which will also help better absorption.
“My child sometimes calms down just getting a bottle of water.”
The key word here is "bottle". For many different reasons, a child sometimes wants to suck on something, but not on his mother's breast. The two simplest and most harmless ways to calm a baby who is not getting enough of his mother’s breast right now are to let him suck on a cleanly washed finger or just rock him to sleep, because most often children who are tired of daytime impressions behave this way before falling asleep.
“Everyone is thirsty, and children are no exception!”
There are many foods that adults can easily eat, but that will cause big problems for babies because their digestive system is not yet mature enough. An attempt to feed a child, focusing on the needs of an adult stomach, would lead to dire consequences. Most babies themselves refuse to drink the water that they are offered, and begin to quench their thirst with it only after 9-12 months.

Principles of water supplementation for breastfed newbornsBy Kelly Bonyata , BS , IBCLC

Translation by Tatiana Vinnichenko, CRC "Birth"

Remember that babies do not need extra water, breast milk contains 88% water. Even in the first few days after childbirth, before the "arrival" of milk, colostrum (colostrum) fully satisfies the baby's need for liquid (if breastfeeding is organized effectively). The American Academy of Pediatrics prescribes “Do not administer supplementation (water, glucose water, formulas, or other fluids) to breastfed neonates unless medically indicated… In the first 6 months of life, even in hot climates, it is not necessary to give newborns water or juice, it can cause infection or allergies.”
Moreover, infants do not need to be supplemented with water even in hot weather if they are fully breastfed. The baby can get the amount of fluid he needs from breast milk. At the moment, there are many studies that have determined that children who are exclusively breastfed do not need additional water - these studies were carried out in places with different climates (both wet and dry) with a temperature difference of 22-41 ° C (71.6-105.8°F) and relative humidity 9-96% (see links after the article).
Note: Artificial babies usually do not need supplemental water (in routine supplementation). Some sources still suggest giving water to newborns who are on artificial feeding, in hot weather (when the baby may prefer water to more frequent feedings), or when the baby is sick and has a fever (consult your doctor about additional supplements).
For newborns (especially those under 4-5 weeks of age), additional supplementation may entail some risk.

Do not give extra water to children under 2 months of age.
Supplementation with water increases the level of bilirubin in the blood of newborns with physiological jaundice.
Re-soldering in large volumes can lead to such dangerous state, which is called oral water intoxication (oral water intoxication).
Supplementation does not contain the required calories and may result in weight loss or insufficient weight gain in the newborn.
Babies who receive water supplements have less need for breast milk. If the baby does not breastfeed as often as he needs, this slows down the production of milk and interferes with the production of the required volume.
Children over 28 days old
A large amount of supplementation can interfere with the establishment of breastfeeding, as it gives the child a false sense of fullness and the child requires less breastfeeding. Babies need the nutrients and calories found in breast milk - water doesn't provide any of that.
Milk contains the amount of fluid a baby needs, even in very hot weather.
At the age of 4-6 months, when your child is learning to use a cup, you can safely offer a few sips of water a couple of times a day (but no more than 2 ounces for 24 hours) for pleasure and fun.
From the moment solid foods are introduced, you can offer your baby to drink solid foods with a few sips of expressed milk or water - some babies need to drink solid foods to avoid constipation. Here about juice in the diet of kids

There are a number of reasons why a baby should not be given water. Should a newborn be given water to drink? The answer to this question depends on what kind of feeding the child is on. If on artificial or on mixed feeding, the answer is yes, give. Newborn babies can drink up to 100 ml of water per day (in total). This is fine. It is not normal to deprive a child of water if he asks (dry lips, twists his mouth, looks for something, but refuses to breastfeed). Water for newborns is the main vital component that can not only remove thirst, but also ensure the normal functioning of the whole organism. Therefore, the question of supplementation baby whether the baby needs water, how much and when to give water. Let's try to figure out whether it is necessary and possible to give water to newborns? If you have older children, then you probably already know that dehydration is extremely dangerous, and the more so, the younger the child. As a rule, such doubts about whether it is possible to give water to newborns appear in young mothers in hot weather, or when the baby is bottle-fed. Boiled or special bottled for children, Fruto-nanny or Agusha. Better from bottles, because boiled water is dead, everything is removed from it when it boils, and from bottles it is with minerals.

There are a lot of questions for young mothers, one of them is whether breastfed newborns need water, and if so, how much and in what circumstances. The problem is quite relevant.

If we talk not only about common sense, but also about medical justifications, then the World Health Organization, as well as the latest instructions from the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, suggest not giving additional drink to breastfed children without special medical indications, up to about six months. Why?

Danger one- malnutrition. The baby's stomach is the size of his fist, and he is able to accept and process a limited amount of incoming food (in the first month of life, this is 1/5 - 1/6 of body weight per day). And the peculiarity of the nervous system of a newborn is such that water causes a false feeling of fullness in him. Therefore, it is important for a mother to understand: if her child drank 100 ml of water, it means that he did not receive 100 ml of milk. At the same time, the growth and development of the child depends on milk, and water does not bring him absolutely any benefit.

Danger two - Decrease in milk production. Milk is produced in response to the sucking of the child, that is, how much the baby sucked at the breast - so much milk will subsequently arrive. If the mother gave the child water, then he will suck less at the breast. Especially dangerous in this regard is the nightly feeding of a child with water, because during night feedings the production of the hormone prolactin is stimulated, which increases the daily production of milk. This means that a baby who feeds on his mother's breast at night, thereby provides himself with the necessary amount of milk during the day. And if “well-wishers” advise the mother to “deceive the child with some water so that it does not disturb at night” - think that the child may be able to be deceived, but you cannot deceive the natural milk production system ...

Danger three - violation of the natural balance in the digestive system of the child. A child is born with a sterile intestine, and until about six months of age, it is actively seeded with beneficial microflora. Mother's milk helps to form and maintain the natural balance of bacteria in the digestive system, and everything that the baby receives at this time of life in addition to mother's milk worsens this balance. And if the practice of supplementation becomes constant, then very often a preponderance of harmful microflora over useful microflora is found in a child - the very phenomenon that our doctors usually call dysbacteriosis. Studies specifically conducted by the World Health Organization show that most babies who are exclusively breastfed for the first 6 months are healthy and grow well. And babies who received water or tea in addition to breast milk were three times more likely to develop bowel disorders than babies who were fully breastfed... Do you need to take that risk?

Danger Four - probability of breast failure. Water is given, as a rule, from a bottle with a nipple, which often leads babies to "nipple confusion" - that is, the refusal to suck on the mother's breast in favor of the bottle.

Let's now consider the arguments of those who insist on the need to give the baby water.

"Water helps eliminate infantile jaundice"

Jaundice is caused by bilirubin, which is a fat-soluble enzyme. Not water soluble, but fat soluble. That is, it is not excreted from the body with water, but is excreted precisely with colostrum and subsequently with milk, which, unlike water, contain the fats necessary for the child in the optimal proportion.

“Milk is the same food as, for example, porridge. Hunger must be satisfied with food, and thirst with drink. Otherwise, the child gets extra calories!

In fact, the consistency of milk and porridge is completely different. Milk is 85-90% water. If adults constantly ate such liquid food, then they would not have any assumptions that it needs to be thinned even more ... In addition, up to a certain age, a small child does not distinguish between hunger and thirst at all. That is why, as already mentioned, water creates a feeling of false satiety in him, displacing mother's milk. We are shifting the emphasis: since getting water is not biologically justified, it is correct to say not that an exclusively breastfed baby receives “extra calories”, but that a child who is supplemented with water loses the calories he needs.

“Water should be given if it is hot outside and the air in the room is dry”

Indeed, in summer, additional soldering is argued by the heat, and in winter - by the dryness of the air in the heated room. However, many studies have been carried out around the world in dry and hot countries (for example, in India at a temperature of 35-40°C and a humidity of 10 to 35%; in Pakistan at a temperature of 27.4-40.7°C and a humidity of 24 to 77%; in tropics at temperatures between 4 and 41°C and humidity between 9 and 60%), which unequivocally showed that only breastfed babies suffered less dehydration than those fed only breast milk. The fact is that mother's milk contains the optimal concentration of all the salts and minerals necessary for the child - by the way, if an adult suffers from dehydration, he is also recommended to restore the moisture balance not with plain water, but with a solution of specially selected salts ... So, if mom thinks that the child is hot - it should not be supplemented with water, but it is easier to dress and ventilate the room well! A baby who is thirsty will simply ask for his mother's breast more often. In extreme heat, you can wipe the child’s body with cool water, and room air will make a steam humidifier or a simple spray gun less dry, but in this case, water is desirable outside, and not inside the child’s body ...

“If a child is sick, you can’t do without water - it will restore the balance of moisture, help eliminate viruses in the urine, and medicines can be dissolved in it”

In the above, there is not a single function with which mother's milk would not cope better than water. The same medicine that the child will try his best to spit out diluted in water, he will take much more favorably with expressed mother's milk, which will also help better absorption.

“My child sometimes calms down just getting a bottle of water.”

The key word here is "bottle". For many different reasons, a child sometimes wants to suck on something, but not on his mother's breast. The two simplest and most harmless ways to calm a baby who is not getting enough of his mother’s breast right now are to let him suck on a cleanly washed finger or just rock him to sleep, because most often children who are tired of daytime impressions behave this way before falling asleep.

“Everyone is thirsty, and children are no exception!”

There are many foods that adults can safely eat, but which will cause big problems for babies, because their digestive system is not yet mature enough. An attempt to feed a child, focusing on the needs of an adult stomach, would lead to dire consequences. Most babies themselves refuse to drink the water that they are offered, and begin to quench their thirst with it only after 9-12 months.

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Any form of life present on our planet experiences a vital need for fluid, including humans.

Young children especially need it, but when to give water to a newborn while breastfeeding and can too early introduction be harmful to the health of the baby? We will deal with these issues in the course of our article, and also consider the main arguments against early soldering.

So, for starters, let's immediately decide whether it is necessary to introduce water into the baby's diet. The answer to this question is unequivocal - no, children under six months of age who are breastfed do not need additional fluids at all.

The milk of a nursing mother consists of 88% of water, and therefore, when applied to the breast, the baby receives not only a huge amount of nutrients, which give him a feeling of satiety, but also a significant amount of water, which fully satisfies his need for liquid.

The only exceptions are children who are on a mixed or completely artificial diet. The fact is that the milk mixture contains higher concentrations of salts and minerals and additional water in this case is needed so that the body can remove excess from the body. In addition, the use of the mixture reduces the intensity of metabolism, and therefore the need for fluid increases slightly.

Important! World Health Organization established that offering water to a breastfed baby should be done only after he reaches six months of age and only if he himself expresses a desire to drink.

If the child does not drink and at the same time looks completely healthy and maintains normal activity, then the introduction of water into the diet can be postponed for a while.

This age was chosen for supplementation not by chance. The fact is that at this time the child's diet already usually includes various complementary foods. Solid food significantly increases the body's need for fluid, and the amount of mother's milk by this time is already somewhat reduced. However, this does not mean at all that the volume of additional fluid should be large - you need to follow the norms established by pediatricians in order to avoid water intoxication, which we will discuss below.

Why you can not give water to a baby under 6 months

Now let's figure out why the opinion of doctors about whether it is necessary to supplement babies up to six months is so tough. This is due to the fact that introducing water into the baby's diet not only affects the amount of mother's milk he eats, but can also seriously harm his health.

Let's look at the main reasons for this:

Even purified water contains a certain amount of trace elements and other substances that can significantly increase the load on the baby's kidneys. As you know, this organ filters fluid in our body; in a baby, especially in the first months, the kidneys are not yet adapted to filter anything other than mother's milk. Trace elements in water and in breast milk are in different forms, and therefore the kidneys of the baby have to make considerable efforts to remove these impurities from the body.
The digestive system of the baby in the first months after birth is still being formed, and mother's milk also helps in this. Getting into the esophagus, and then into the stomach, milk covers their walls with an auxiliary layer of enzymes. These substances promote better absorption and help the digestive system to function properly. Water, especially if it is drunk after breastfeeding, washes away this layer, which negatively affects the child's digestion.
In the first three months, the intestinal microflora is formed in the baby. This is mainly due to mother's milk. Water, on the other hand, introduces an imbalance into this process and disrupts it.
Most often, mothers think about how to finish drinking the baby when the weather is hot outside. High temperature in itself causes stress in a child - his condition causes discomfort, and his body tries to establish heat exchange and works because of this in an enhanced mode. Giving water to the baby at such a moment, the young mother only exacerbates the situation and increases the load on his body.

On top of the above, I would like to mention a study that was conducted some time ago. Then several children and their mothers were divided into groups and followed by what diet at high temperatures the babies would experience fluid deficiency.

The need for liquid was completely satisfied in children who were not supplemented with water. A small deficit was observed in babies who were given water in small quantities, and the greatest shortage of water was diagnosed in those babies whose mothers were given plenty of clean water to drink.

What kind of water can be given to a baby on GV

Ordinary drinking water usually contains too many minerals, sodium and sulfates, which are too burdensome for the immature kidneys of the child and his digestive system. Of course, you can purchase a special purification system and prepare water for the baby yourself, but the cost of such systems is very high, and therefore only a few parents can afford it.

Separately, boiled water should be mentioned. In the past, it was by boiling that they prepared water for babies, but modern research showed that such a liquid is not suitable for young children. The fact is that under the influence of high temperatures, the molecular composition of many elements is destroyed, which is why such water becomes absolutely useless, and sometimes harmful.

Therefore, if you choose drinking water for a child, then it is better to choose a purified variety and in no case boil it.

How to supplement the baby with water

It is best to use a teaspoon for this. Since by the age of six months the child should already be familiar with it, there will be no difficulties with this method of drinking. A little later, it will be possible to use a special cup for drinking, in which case the child himself will regulate the amount of liquid he drinks.

You should start with half a teaspoon, and then gradually increase the volume. Of course, this should only be done if the child is really thirsty.

Also make sure that drinking water does not occur immediately before breastfeeding, otherwise the baby will not receive the proper amount of breast milk, and therefore will experience a deficiency of the nutrients contained in it.

How much water does a breastfed baby need

The amount of fluid a baby needs depends on its weight. Usually pediatricians give a figure from 100 to 190 ml for every kilogram of a child's weight.

It should be borne in mind that this includes both breast milk and foreign fluids. And therefore, if your mammary glands are capable of producing a similar volume per day, then this will be enough and you will not need to additionally solder the baby.

In the same case, if your milk volume has decreased significantly, it is recommended to consult with a pediatrician in order to find out if it is necessary to increase the amount of additional liquid in the baby's diet. Independent decision-making on this issue can lead to the fact that the child will receive too much a large number of liquid, which in some cases leads to intoxication.

Water intoxication of a breastfed child

Babies who drink a lot of water sometimes experience water intoxication. Especially often it occurs before the age of 9 months. The fact is that too much water reduces the normal level of sodium in the baby's body, and this is dangerous because it can lead to convulsions, coma, brain damage and even death.

The main symptoms of water intoxication in a baby

Irritability or drowsiness, confusion - the child behaves as if intoxicated, often cannot find the nipple when applied to the breast.
Low body temperature (around 36 degrees).
Swelling of the face and edema of the body.
Seizures.

Therefore, if you observe one or more of these symptoms, then immediately consult a doctor.

It is worth noting that breastfeeding cannot cause intoxication, and therefore it is imperative to follow the recommendations of doctors regarding when to give water to a newborn while breastfeeding. Remember that a child who is thirsty will not feel good, play or be active. And therefore, even if the weather is hot outside, do not rush to give water to your little one. With a high degree of probability, your breast milk is enough for him, and excess fluid in this case will only bring discomfort.

Young mothers often worry about the condition of their baby, because they want to provide all the conditions for their child. Food and drink are considered the most important issues to pay attention to, therefore, immediately after the maternity hospital, mothers think about whether it is possible to give the baby water.

What kind of water to give a newborn?

Here it is immediately worth noting the individuality of each child, his diet, weight, and also age. It is necessary to take into account the state of health of the crumbs, as well as climatic conditions. Generally speaking, a small miracle should be given a liter per 10 kilograms of weight, over 10 kg it is allowed to give a liter of liquid, an additional 50 milliliters per kilogram of weight over 10 kg.

How to give water to the baby?

Initially, you should use a spoon or pipette, because the baby simply will not be able to drink water in a different way. If he is on artificial feeding, then you can use a bottle.

What water to give the baby?

Such a question arises before mothers who decide to water the baby from a very early age. You can buy special water in the store, which undergoes special treatment. It will be harmful for babies to drink water from the tap, even if it is boiled. In no case should you give babies soda, it can cause bloating, then screams in your house will be provided. Some mothers specially sweeten the water, this is also not recommended. If you teach your baby to sweet water, then in the end you run the risk of problems with teeth and obesity.

Try to listen to your baby, you need to learn to guess what he wants. If your little one does not want to drink, it is not at all necessary to force him to do so. If a young mother is breastfeeding, then the baby is provided with a supply of the liquid it needs due to mother's milk. In the early days, when milk has not yet appeared, colostrum provides the crumbs with the necessary liquid. At the same time, the needs of your miracle are fully satisfied, it should not lack liquid.

How much water to give a baby?

Remember that you can only give water from the tap if it has passed through the filter. Pediatricians say that the use of such water is permissible in feeding the baby, but do not forget about the water that is offered in stores. If we talk about the reasons why it is advised to drink just such water, then this is the minimum salt content. At the same time, when buying, you can meet two types of water, one of them is intended for restoration, that is, you can make baby food from it. Another type involves drinking water that can be given to your baby. If the baby is breastfed, then he may well do without additional drinking for up to six months.

Recovery water seems more attractive to young mothers, since it is softer and can be given to a child from the first days of life. Remember that it is the mother who decides when her child can start drinking water. Remember that it is water that removes from the body, and the baby is no exception, all toxic substances. Therefore, when your child shows that he is thirsty, you should not refuse him liquids.

Remember that babies need plenty of fluids when they get sick, during such periods they should be fed and watered often. It is clear that mother's milk wins compared to ordinary water, but do not neglect the usual liquid. But do not forget that the crumbs have a rather small stomach, and therefore the baby is unlikely to be able to drink more than 250 milliliters of liquid at a time.

If your friends advise you to sweeten the water, in no case do not agree, even if the baby is naughty and refuses to drink. You can use fructose for these purposes, but definitely not sugar, as it can cause health problems. It is better to wait until the moment when the baby really wants to drink, and will take on unsweetened water.

Water for artificial feeding

Artificial feeding cannot be compared with natural, since the baby receives a mixture where there is more protein than in mother's milk. As a result of this, the little mischievous needs extra fluid. If the body lacks water, then you may experience constipation, additional drinking will contribute to a good stool, as well as a good mood for your miracle. In such cases, doctors talk about the need to give water from the first days of life. But you need to remember that water, unlike mixtures, can be a little cooler. if the mixture is prepared at a temperature of 36 degrees, then the water can vary from 26 to 30 degrees. After a few months, you can lower the water temperature to 20 degrees.

Doctors agree that once weaning begins, water becomes an essential nutrient. At the same time, it should be borne in mind that crumbs that have not previously received water are reluctant to accept a new liquid, and those who used to drink water are happy to drink solid food with ordinary water. It is worth considering the circumstances when you are going to give the crumbs water, for example, if you ate salty food, then it is worth offering a little extra liquid after feeding.

When else should you give water?

The crumbs may have such conditions in which it is simply necessary to ensure the access of additional fluid to the body. For example, diarrhea has begun, then it is worth giving water to prevent dehydration. The same applies to cases when vomiting, dark urine appears. You should be wary when the baby began to write less often, then it would not be superfluous to offer him some water. Give your miracle as much water as it will drink, it is not necessary to limit fluid intake. You need to understand that he will not drink more water than his body needs. A newborn drinks approximately one hundred milliliters, but if the amount of liquid exceeds 150 milliliters, then this is a reason to seek advice from a pediatrician. If at the same time there is no temperature, the weather is not hot outside, then an increased craving for liquid may indicate the presence of certain diseases, so watch your baby.

There are so many conflicting opinions about whether babies need water or not. Even among experienced pediatricians, there is no exact indication of how and when to water a child. But, nevertheless, it is worth listening to common sense and finding out for yourself at what moments of life the child really requires the introduction of liquid into the diet, and when water is simply contraindicated for him.

Should I give water to my baby?

Many mothers with fright recall the pediatrician's admonitions that it is not worth giving water to the child, otherwise the milk will practically disappear. There is, of course, some truth in this. But, after all, few pediatricians specify the moment up to what age babies do not need water. In this case, their orientation towards the Ministry of Health is practically unfounded, since they are talking about infancy. It is at this time that the baby's need for milk increases and the consumption volumes become more and more. Thus, it is possible to regulate the mother’s lactation quite normally, so that this “milk source” never runs out. False to the recommendations, babies do not need water for up to 28 days, since they are quite satisfied with what a caring mother provides. In later life, liquid is indispensable.

The assertion that milk already contains up to 82% water is not unfounded. But, it will not be able to fully help in the heat and quench thirst. But when all the signs of dehydration are present, it is very difficult to help the baby. There is only one conclusion: when a child has a need for water and he asks for it, then it is worth adding to it. Although the maximum allowable daily allowance does not exceed 60 ml. This is quite enough to raise a healthy and happy child.

Babies need water, as they try to conduct active physical activity, and therefore sweating increases. In addition, taking into account the specifics of the climate, especially in southern regions The kids just need water. Many parents are very worried about the quality of water and even if they buy it in special children's stores, they boil it before drinking. Thus, they deprive their babies of natural products. After all, boiled water quenches thirst least of all. In order for the child's body to develop properly, it is advisable to give children either well-filtered or bottled water that has not undergone heat treatment.

Whether to give water to babies depends on each parent individually. The widespread opinion that it is water that leads to dysbacteriosis is not always correct. It is impossible to be exclusively breastfed and not try the water. The child must taste the water if he needs it. True, much will depend on his parents, who regard it as a threat or a benefit to life.

When to give water to the baby?

It would seem that such a simple and understandable question to everyone: “When to give water to babies?” Can provoke lengthy discussions and even disputes. At the same time, some argue that it is only possible to give water to babies at the age of one year, while for others, a figure of one month is quite acceptable. And it is the latter who are right. A child can feel thirsty at any time, and it is not worth quenching it exclusively with breast milk.

When to give water to babies:

in hot weather, in order to avoid overheating and dehydration;
during illness, against the background high temperature and lack of desire to consume breast milk;
during diarrhea, it is necessary to prevent dehydration of the body, so it is worth giving the baby not just a clean liquid, but with a rehydration solution;
with increased physical activity, when the child sweats heavily.

Some pediatricians recommend giving water to babies at night so that the babies do not require mother's milk, but simply after drinking a few sips, they calm down. This recommendation has both supporters and opponents. In principle, this is how you can wean children from night awakenings and wakefulness. But, water for babies will not replace maternal affection and warmth.

When to give water to babies depends on the condition of the child and his wishes. If he has a need for liquid, he will definitely demonstrate it. Under no circumstances should a child be forced to drink. This can cause screaming and crying. But, after all, it is precisely this behavior that parents strive to avoid by all means.

How much water to give the baby?

Babies need water, like all living organisms. True, offering the baby water, you should not get carried away. How much water to give to a baby depends on its age and needs. Under the age of 2 months, you should not water the child at his discretion. He will favorably perceive any liquid. And this means that in this way he can deceive his need for food, which will lead to the refusal of breastfeeding. An important issue is the saturation of the body with the necessary vitamins that the child receives from milk.

To satisfy the needs of children for liquid, it is worth offering them no more than 20 ml at a time. Do not forget that babies do not get water through the nipple, but through the use of a spoon. Thus, it will be possible to control the flow of fluid and not overload the child's kidneys.

Should the baby be given water?

Regarding whether to supplement the baby with water, we can say that “Yes”. The baby needs fluids, especially in hot weather. His need for it is increasing exponentially. They cannot be satisfied with breast milk alone. For these purposes, it is recommended to always have a spare bottle of water. The baby will not be able to decide on its own how much water it needs. Therefore, receptions should be dosed.

If the child wants to drink between feedings, then the norm should not exceed more than 30 ml. In this case, this will not interfere with the process of assimilation of food and the normal absorption of mother's milk. In no case should you supplement it immediately before feeding, as the amount of milk consumed will decrease, which will lead to a decrease in production.

On walks, in the hot season, you need to supplement the child. At the same time, strict rules must be observed.

What water to give the baby?

When there is a desire to raise a child completely unprepared for an aggressive external environment, then it is worth drinking it exclusively boiled water. Moreover, the fanaticism of some parents reaches the point that up to a year they bathe their children exclusively in boiled water. If you are now facing a dilemma: “What kind of water to give the baby?”, Then you need to look towards special offers from numerous baby food companies. They offer absolutely pure water ideal for babies. She can drink a child, cook soups and cereals on it, add to mixtures. It is absolutely safe and useful for the child.

Tap water for babies is less safe. And here not only extraneous microorganisms are involved, but also harmful salts and other trace elements contained in it. They have a very unfavorable effect on children's organisms, contribute to the formation of sand in the kidneys and the introduction of pathogenic bacteria. If the system has a good filter, with a high degree of purification, then you should not be afraid for the safety of the baby. Pure water, suitable for use in any form is ready. One has only to dial it from the filter and give it to the baby. Moreover, it keeps very good taste qualities. For this, the baby will be fully grateful.

Almost everyone heard about how useful dill water is for babies from their mothers. It especially helps children with weak stomachs, in which flatulence almost always rages. Simple "Espumizans" and medicines can't do it here. Like it or not, but in every medicine there is a share of chemistry, and dill water is infused with seeds. It is great for removing gas. Therefore, for all children suffering from colic, bloating, pain in the intestines, it is simply necessary.

It happens that babies do not like dill water. This inconvenience can be easily avoided. For these purposes, caring mothers begin to take it on their own. As a result, all the same useful components that relieve bloating and colic come with mother's milk. The only thing that mothers need to remember at this moment is that increased flatulence will haunt them too.

Sometimes the tastes of babies change, and if dill water for babies did not please the first time, then it is possible that their attitude to water will change over time.

Baby doesn't drink water

For some parents, the problem that the baby does not drink water becomes very serious. They try to solder it from time to time and in the end they get the same negative result, screams and tears. You shouldn't force a child. He knows what he needs. And if he is more to his taste breast milk or formula, then it is worth satisfying his needs. When the time comes, he will ask for some water himself. Although, sometimes, once a week or a month, it is worth continuing your attempts to solder. Perhaps they will work. If there is no need, then this is the norm.

How to teach a baby to drink water

Wanting to know how to teach a baby to drink water, some mothers try their best to instill this habit in him. But, the golden rule: “If you don’t want to, then don’t,” they completely lose sight of. When the baby has a need for liquid, he will ask about it. Periodically, the baby should be offered some water. But, in most cases, having been refused several times in the first months, positive result can only be achieved after 9-10 months. And even in this case, parents go to the deception. By brewing delicious compotes and uzvars that the baby likes, they find "the way to his stomach." Accepting these efforts with gratitude, the child drinks water with pleasure later on.

Babies need water, and little creatures know perfectly well when to start taking it. Don't worry about rejections. Everything has its time. Caring parents will understand what the child wants and satisfy his needs to the fullest.

Baby drinks a lot of water

When a baby drinks a lot of water, this does not mean at all that he is thirsty. The child can consume a large amount of liquid without controlling his urges at all. What he was given, he drinks. In order to limit the baby, it is worth giving him liquid from a spoon, and not from a bottle. In this way, you can see when the child has drunk to the fullest and stop drinking. We must not forget that excess fluid seriously affects the kidneys and leads to the formation of sand.

Baby spits up water

Many mothers sound the alarm if the baby spits up water and does not drink it. It is noted that such a reaction of the body is observed not immediately after eating, but after an hour and a half. The reason lies in the overabundance of food eaten and its processing. Without removing the excess in time, the stomach tries to get rid of heaviness and brings water out, sometimes with small curd grains. It's not worth worrying. When the amount of enzymes is normalized, this phenomenon will pass by itself.

Water temperature for baby bathing

A child needs water for drinking, even for bathing. At the same time, it is very important to observe moderation in everything. And if it is not recommended to give water to a child in the first days of life, then bathing cannot be avoided. And let the first acquaintance with water take place in a shallow bath and be only indirect, you must strictly observe the temperature. 37 degrees is optimum temperature during the first months. In no case can you make it warmer. The temperature of the water for bathing the baby should be at such a high level due to its adaptation and addiction. As soon as he gets used to such degrees, it is worth starting hardening and reducing the temperature. For a baby, with his elevated body temperature, it seems quite normal. It's not worth worrying. Although, excessively zealous parents can bring hardening to very low degrees. And this, in the first weeks of life, should not be allowed in any case. Everything should happen gradually. It's no secret that by 6-8 months, the baby splashes well even at 26 degrees. But, much depends on hardening and sensitivity. And each child is unique.

Water got into the ear of the baby

If water gets into the baby's ear, then it is very easy to get rid of it. For these purposes, there are special cotton swabs with which you can get your ears wet. In addition, cotton swabs also do a good job of removing excess liquid. If there is a desire to frolic enough in the bathroom, then you can’t forget to first insert the cotton wool into your ears. Although, there is nothing criminal in this. It just seems to parents that babies are very gentle creatures. A small amount of water in the ears can be easily eliminated and will not cause any harm.