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At What Age Can Babies Drink Water?

Water is something that everyone needs to drink, right? Well, it turns out that babies get all the hydration they need from breast milk or formula in the first several months.

Find out when it’s OK to start giving your baby water, and why it’s important not to give your baby water until he’s started on solids. Plus, get some answers to some frequently asked questions about safely giving your baby water when the time comes.

At What Age Is It OK to Give Your Baby Water?

Water is not recommended for your baby in his first six months. Until your little one is eating solid food, your baby will get all the water he needs from breast milk (which is actually 80 percent water) or formula. After your baby turns 6 months old, you can start offering a little water.

Why Shouldn’t You Give Water to Your Baby Under 6 Months?

For babies under 6 months, drinking water can lead to diarrhea and even malnutrition.

With breastfed babies, the introduction of water can cause the baby to breastfeed less or stop entirely, leading to malnutrition. Less frequent nursing can, in turn, result in a reduction in breast milk supply as well.

How and When Do You Introduce Water to Your Baby?

The best way to introduce water to your baby (who is 6 months or older) is to give her a small amount in a sippy cup. Don’t force her to drink the water if she rejects it.

Your baby’s need for liquids will increase when she starts eating solid foods.

This is why the time when you start giving solids is also a good time to slowly introduce water. Gradually giving your little one water also gives her a chance to get used to water’s plain flavor.

Drinking water will also help your child develop healthy habits. Giving your baby juice is not recommended, as it can cause her to crave sweetened drinks, which can lead to her becoming overweight or obese later on.

Is It OK to Mix Formula With Water?

It’s OK to mix powdered formula with water. Just be careful to follow the manufacturer’s guidelines on how much water to add.

What's dangerous is adding extra water to the formula. Diluting formula or giving your baby water in addition to formula can lead to a condition called water intoxication.

Diluting infant formula beyond the manufacturer’s directions reduces the nutrients your baby is getting. This can lead to slowed development, electrolyte imbalances, and possibly seizures.

Be sure to follow the manufacturer’s directions when mixing infant formula, and check out these formula feeding guidelines.

Does Tap Water Need to Be Boiled for Babies?

Some tap water might not be clean enough for your baby. Check with your local health department if you’re unsure about the quality of the tap water in your home.

If the water isn’t safe, you could use bottled water instead, or boil the tap water for mixing with infant formula or for giving your baby once he’s over 6 months old.

To boil tap water, bring cold water to a boil for 1 minute. Then set it aside to cool to room temperature for about 30 minutes before using it. It’s a good idea to test the water on your wrist to ensure it’s at room temperature before giving it to your baby.

Should You Give Water to a Dehydrated Baby?

Your baby may become dehydrated if she has a fever, is vomiting, has diarrhea, or for certain other reasons.

Some signs of dehydration may include

• a dry mouth

• fewer wet diapers

• fussiness

• sleepiness

• a soft spot on the head.

If you suspect your little one may be dehydrated, do not give your baby water. The best fluid to keep your baby properly hydrated is breast milk or formula.

Contact your baby’s healthcare provider right away if you suspect your little one may be dehydrated. Your provider may suggest a rehydration solution, drops, vitamins or minerals in syrup form, or medicine to hydrate your little one.

Should You Give Your Breastfeeding Baby Water on Hot Days?

Your baby does not need water before the age of 6 months even if it’s a hot day and/or you live in a hot climate. The best option will be to keep your baby hydrated with your breast milk or formula.

What Is Water Intoxication in Babies?

Water intoxication, also called hyponatremia, is a condition in which the sodium level in the blood becomes abnormally low. Drinking too much water can cause this condition.

A baby who is given water under the age of 6 months may be at risk for this condition.

Symptoms of hyponatremia can include

• nausea/vomiting

• headache

• confusion

• drowsiness

• irritability

• seizures.

Water intoxication requires emergency medical attention, and treatment may include intravenous electrolytes or medications. Contact your baby’s healthcare provider if you notice any of the symptoms listed above, or if you have any concerns about water intoxication.

Even though giving your baby water may seem harmless, it’s not recommended until your little one is 6 months old. Your baby is getting all the nutrients and hydration she needs from breast milk or formula.

With all those feedings, you’ll also be doing lots of diaper changes. To make the task a bit more rewarding, download the Pampers Club app to earn rewards for your Pampers purchases.

How we wrote this article The information in this article is based on the expert advice found in trusted medical and government sources, such as the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. You can find a full list of sources used for this article below. The content on this page should not replace professional medical advice. Always consult medical professionals for full diagnosis and treatment.

Should I give my child water from a bottle?

Many young mothers are interested in the question - is it necessary to give water to a newborn baby? In this case, the doctor gives a variety of advice - some argue that breastfed babies do not need additional water, others assure the opposite. To get an answer to this question, it is necessary to understand in more detail how and when the baby should be watered, and what water can be used for this.

Mother's breast milk, which the child receives from the first days of life, is both food and drink for him - it is known that on 90% it consists of water. Thus, the breastfed baby receives all the amount of fluid he needs. Thanks to special enzymes, mother's milk has a beneficial effect on the digestion process. In addition, the female body is able to independently adapt to the needs of the baby, regulating the composition of breast milk. When the baby needs more liquid, he begins to breastfeed more, thus receiving more foremilk (it is less saturated), which not only quenches thirst well, but also restores electrolyte balance. nine0003

If we take into account all of the above, we can decide that the baby does not need ordinary water as a drink at all. But in fact, sometimes it is necessary. However, giving water to a child who is not yet three months old is possible only on the recommendation of a pediatrician. Babies who are already 4 months old can drink water - this will not affect the breastfeeding process in any way. There are absolutely no contraindications to water if the baby drinks it with pleasure. On the contrary, you should be wary of a lack of fluids, which can cause much more harm to the child. We must not forget that newborns have a very fast metabolism, due to which the loss of moisture can be very significant. nine0003

Water for baby during breastfeeding

You can give your baby water from about 4-5 months. It is best to do this not during feeding, but between them. When the baby feels thirsty, he will gladly drink water from the bottle. As for the norm of fluid for a child, this is a very individual question. As a rule, pediatricians advise giving babies about 100 mg of liquid per 1 kg of body weight, while the liquid includes breast milk. Water in this case will be from 30 to 70 ml. nine0003

The baby can drink water from an ordinary bottle with a nipple, you can also use a spoon for this (it will help to accustom the child to complementary foods, which will be needed soon). However, the main rule to remember is that the baby must drink water voluntarily, in no case should he be forced to do so.

Mixed or formula-fed baby water

Artificial feeding has significant differences from natural feeding. The fact is that infant formula contains much more protein than mother's milk. A formula-fed baby has a special need for extra fluids. If you constantly give him a rich nutrient mixture, this can cause constipation. The additional water received by the baby will improve his well-being and contribute to the normal emptying of the intestines. nine0003

If the child is on mixed or artificial feeding, then you can start giving water to him a little earlier - already from 1 or 2 months of life. In this case, the water temperature should be cooler than the temperature of the nutrient mixture. Pediatricians assure that babies who are on artificial or mixed feeding definitely need water.

You can give your baby a drink immediately after eating. You can also drink it in between feedings. It is important to remember that babies have a very small stomach in volume, and they will not physically be able to drink a lot of water. It is enough to give him 2-3 teaspoons of water. Gradually, this dose can be slightly increased. nine0003

There are situations in which the need for additional liquid for the baby increases dramatically - for example, when the child has been in a room that is too dry for a long time, or has become slightly overheated. Some parents are too afraid of catching a cold while bathing, and maintain a high temperature in his room - because of this, the humidity in the room decreases, and the baby's body is dehydrated. To prevent this from happening, the air temperature in the baby's room should be maintained at 20 degrees, and the humidity should be between 50 and 70%. nine0003

If the air in the room is too dry, the child begins to breathe rapidly, swallowing becomes difficult and colic begins. With overheating, which most often occurs in summer, the baby sweats more, as a result of which the body loses moisture. Signs of dehydration can be signs such as dry skin and mucous membranes, as well as infrequent urination. Pediatricians agree that during illness, newborns need to be given water - for example, with colic, or at elevated temperature. The water in this case should be warm. nine0003

The child needs water in such cases:

• at a high temperature - you can give him a little drink from a spoon, and just moisten his lips with water;
• with diarrhea - you need to give the child a little drink, after which it is imperative to show it to the pediatrician;
• when there is fever without temperature - water can be given to the baby in a small amount;
• for constipation - the liquid will help to empty the intestines without discomfort for the child; nine0034
• when vomiting - water will prevent dehydration and cleanse the stomach;
• for hiccups - water will relieve spasm of the diaphragm, which happened from hypothermia, and also help to get rid of excess air in the stomach.

What kind of water should a baby drink?

Some parents are sure that only boiled water can be given to babies. Actually it is not. When water is boiled, not all bacteria die in it. And in the composition of such water there are chloride compounds that are extremely harmful to babies. Water obtained from open sources can be no less dangerous, as it contains bacteria from the soil and nitrates. In no case should children be given carbonated or mineral medicinal water with a complex chemical composition. Water purified by home filters is also not suitable for babies. nine0003

Where can you get water that will not harm the child? It is best to buy it in a pharmacy. Special water for babies is labeled on the bottle, it contains the optimal amount of minerals for the baby. Water from the pharmacy does not need to be boiled, but after opening it can be stored for no more than a day, and only in the refrigerator. It is best to immediately pour such water into a glass container with a tight-fitting lid.

Which water purification methods can be used for a baby? nine0009

The most economical and easiest option to provide your baby with high-quality drinking water is to buy a special "children's" water filter. This can be a jug-type device - it is inexpensive, it is very easy to use such a filter, and the degree of water purification is very high - the device effectively removes chlorine, bacteria, pesticides and particles of mechanical impurities from ordinary tap water. For the manufacture of such filters, only high-quality safe plastic is used, which is approved by pediatricians. Water purified in this way can be used not only for feeding the baby, but also for preparing various decoctions and infant formulas. nine0003

Can I give my baby water during hiccups?

What is hiccups? This is an involuntary contraction of the muscles of the diaphragm and larynx. Babies are especially susceptible to hiccups, since their diaphragm muscles are characterized by increased excitability. Hypothermia, air entering the stomach, nervous overexcitation and accumulation of gases in the intestines often lead to hiccups.

As soon as a child has hiccups, you need to immediately eliminate its cause. If the baby is cold, it needs to be warmed up. In order for air to come out of the stomach, the baby should be held in a “column”. A few sips of warm water will also help to cope with hiccups. nine0003

It is necessary to give water to a child with hiccups, as this measure will quickly eliminate the cause of discomfort.

If you do everything right and give water to the baby only when he really needs it, then there will be no harm - on the contrary, the child will receive the necessary amount of fluid for the normal functioning of the body.

Information about higher organizations

Ministry of Health of the Russian FederationOfficial portal of the Mayor and the Government of MoscowDepartment of labor and social protection of the population of the city of Moscow: on Mondays from 15. 00 to 18.00Department of health of MoscowDepartment of RosZdravNadzor for the city of Moscow and the Moscow region: Mon - Thu: 9:00 - 17:45, Fri: 9:00 - 16:30, Sat - Sun: days off Office of Rospotrebnadzor for the city of MoscowFKU Main Bureau of Medical and Social Expertise for the city of Moscow: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday from 8.30 to 17.30 .Directorate for coordinating the activities of medical organizations DZMMosvolunter. Responsible person for cooperation with volunteer organizations: Adylov Seyran Midatovich, tel. +7 499-250-01-75

Information for the public

Assessment of the quality of servicesIndependent assessment of the quality of services provided by medical organizationsQuestionnaire for assessing the quality of services provided by medical organizations on an outpatient basisDrugsCrowdsourcing projects of the Government of MoscowAmbulance and Emergency Medical Service in the City of MoscowAssistance Center for Medical WorkersMoscow City Compulsory Medical Insurance FundInsurance companiesFederal budgetary healthcare institution " Center for Hygiene and Epidemiology in Moscow "Official resource of the Healthy Russia program. " Order of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation dated August 10, 2017 N 514n "List of studies during preventive medical examinations of minors" List of drugs dispensed free of charge and with a 50% discount List of categories of citizens persons entitled to receive state social assistanceOn the list of documents required for issuing prescriptionsOn the list of pharmacy organizations for the disabled

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The child's need for water. Myths and truth. Let's figure it out!

Author of article Belmer Sergey Viktorovich nine0003

515009 views

December 12, 2022

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Water calculator

Water calculator - calculate how much water your child needs.

Water is the basis of life and a natural component of the human body. Children's bodies especially need proper water intake. After all, it is at an early age that the most important stages in the development of the nervous, circulatory, respiratory, digestive and immune systems of the body occur. nine0003

The right diet for a child is the basis of his health and further development. And the sooner you help your child form the habit of competent water consumption, the easier it will be for him to maintain a healthy and proper lifestyle in the future.

The body of a child is 80% water, and an adult - 60%. So, let's figure it out: how much water is needed for the healthy development of a child's body, what kind of water is useful, and how often should a child be offered a drink? nine0085

Expert opinion

These and other important questions on the topic are answered by Belmer Sergey Viktorovich , Doctor of Medical Sciences, Professor of the Department of Hospital Pediatrics No. 2 of the Pediatric Faculty of the Russian National Research Medical University (RNIMU) named after. N.I. Pirogov.

Let's debunk the most popular myths about water, that is, the most popular misconceptions about its benefits, quantity, quality, and possible harm. nine0003

Myth #1: It is essential to give your baby water from birth

It's a delusion. It all depends on the specific situation, whether the child is breastfed or not. How much and how often the child consumes breast milk or formula per day. Every age has different water needs. See for yourself:

Standards for the total daily water requirement of children

Child age	Water requirement per 1 kg. body weight
1 day	90 ml
10 days	135 ml
3 months	150 ml
6 months	140 ml
9 months	130 ml
1 year	125 ml
4 years	105 ml

The table values ​​take into account all the water that the child receives during the day. This is pure water, and various drinks, and soups, and solid food, which also contains water. nine0003

Based on the data presented in the table, you can easily calculate the child's need for clean water. So, for example, take a baby weighing 3 kilograms. According to the table, we calculate the daily need of the baby for water: 3 kg * 90 ml = 270 ml / day. If you know how much water from milk or complementary foods a child receives per day, it is not difficult to calculate whether additional water should be given to the baby.

As a rule, a breast-fed baby up to six months of age has enough water from mother's milk and does not require additional water intake. With the introduction of complementary foods, additional water is required for the child. nine0003

But once again I want to remind you that the rate of water consumption is a purely individual value, which depends on the activity of the child, the biochemical characteristics of the child's body, on the temperature and humidity of the surrounding air.

Myth #2: Bottled water should still be boiled

Bottled water does not need to be boiled. The technology of water preparation and bottling ensures its sterility throughout the entire shelf life. In this regard, boiling, aimed specifically at the destruction of microorganisms in water, is not required in this case. In all other cases, such as tap water, spring, well, etc., it is necessary to boil. And sometimes more serious methods of processing such water are required, but it is not recommended to give such water to children. nine0003

Myth #3: There is no difference between "baby" and "adult" water.

"Children's" water is distinguished by higher quality requirements and a physiologically balanced composition. Bottled water of the first and, especially, the highest category is subject to very strict requirements for its safety, in particular, for its chemical composition. In the case of "baby" water, the requirements for its composition are even higher. In its production, it is necessary not only to prevent the excess of the concentration of macro- and microelements, but also to ensure their balanced content, taking into account the characteristics of the child's body. nine0003

Myth #4: Water can be easily replaced with juices, fruit drinks and other drinks

Any drink is a source of water. However, the composition of various drinks, such as juices, fruit drinks, etc., contains other substances besides water, such as sugar, the excess of which may be undesirable for a child. In this regard, replacing “clean water” with other drinks should be done with great care. After the introduction of complementary foods, juices and fruit drinks appear in the composition of the child's diet in regulated volumes. nine0079

Myth #5: Baby water is a marketing ploy

It's a delusion. "Children's" water, as I have already said, is distinguished by special requirements for its composition, in particular, the balance of the amount of macro- and microelements, corresponding to the needs of the child's body.

Myth #6: Boiled and filtered water is no different than baby water

Boiling destroys microorganisms. The results of filtration depend on the characteristics of the filter, but, first of all, particles suspended in it are removed. nine0003

Myth #7: Water with any mineral composition is good for a child

The water contains calcium, magnesium, sodium, iodine, selenium and many other macro- and microelements that are necessary for the body. It is important that their content does not exceed the permissible concentration. On the other hand, it should be borne in mind that water is not the exclusive and even the main source of these substances: the child receives them, first of all, from other foods. However, the deficiency of certain minerals in water, which is often observed in various regions of the world, can lead to diseases. Thus, water without minerals is hazardous to health. nine0003

Myth #8: Boiled water is best for formula feeding

It's a delusion. It is best to use specially prepared industrially "baby" water. It is safe and has an optimal chemical composition.

These are the main myths about water in terms of baby food and consumption that are encountered today. For a more detailed study of the topic, consider a few more frequently asked questions that parents of babies contact us with. nine0085

What are the benefits of the minerals indicated in the composition? (Ca, Mg, K, bicarbonates, sulfates, fluorides, chlorides)

Minerals in the composition of water are necessary for the normal course of metabolic processes. Calcium and magnesium are essential for bone formation and the functioning of the nervous system, potassium is essential for the normal functioning of the heart and muscles, sodium is a key factor in almost all metabolic processes. It is very important that the chemical composition of water meets the needs of the body, which is achieved by certain technological methods in the production of special "children's" water. nine0003

How to persuade a child to drink water?

It's hard to persuade. The child drinks according to his needs. Feeling thirsty is an indicator of water intake. Water in a bottle or drinking bowl should always be nearby. Offer your baby first quality water, not sugary drinks.

How to teach a toddler to drink from a bottle?

In the first days and months of life, if necessary, you can gradually accustom the child to water, supplementing it with a spoon or from a bottle with a nipple. And if you start giving water at an older age, then you can immediately move on to a baby cup or sippy cup. nine0003

How to drink a child on a trip?

Special baby water is the best choice for a child while traveling. Such water is sterile and compensates for possible loss of salts, thanks to a balanced chemical composition.

How much baby water to take on a plane?

It depends on the age of the child and the duration of the flight, but not less than 100 ml. This is the minimum stock.

Should I give my baby water at night? nine0094

It is not necessary to water the child at night, but if such a need arises, offer the child a couple of sips of water. This is fine.

Should I give my child to drink after active games in the heat?

This must be done without fail, and not only after, but also during active games in the sun or in hot weather, since water is excreted from the body in significant quantities with sweating. Offer your baby water as often as possible. It is more convenient to take special "baby" water in a bottle for a walk, it has a small volume, but sufficient even for a two- or three-hour walk. nine0003

Children's water "FrutoNyanya" - from the first days of life!

Children's water "FrutoNyanya" is water of the highest category. Does not require boiling. The water is carefully balanced in terms of mineral composition and is suitable even for the smallest children.

FrutoNyanya special children's water is available in 0.

33l, 1.5l and 5l formats

Choose the format that best suits you. A bottle of 0.33 liters is ideal for a walk. And for home use: preparing cereals, mixtures and pouring into a children's drinking bowl, bottled water of 1.5 liters will be convenient. A 5L canister is a great option for a large family or to take the required amount of water with you to the country. nine0003

Water quality control is carried out at all stages of the technological process of its production in the accredited testing center "FrutoNyanya". The test center employees take water samples at every stage of its production.

When extracting water from a well, the stage of water treatment, whether it is purification from mechanical impurities, the stage of normalizing the composition of water in terms of the content of macro- and microelements, the ozonation process or final filtration. Also, samples are taken without fail when pouring water into containers and its packaging.

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