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Water and Infants

Infants may not be given water before the age of 6 months, it is derived from breast-milk or infant formula

How much fluid is needed by infants?

The fluid intake depend on body weight of the infant and the age of the infant. For each pound of body weight, needed fluid intake per day is as follows:

First week: 1.25 ounce to 1.5 ounce

3 to 6 months: 2.00 ounce to 2.5 ounce

Breast feeding and water

Nursing mother should exclusively breast feed for the first six months.

88 % of the breast milk is water. The infant does not need additional water.

In parts of India, breast milk is supplemented with 'sugar water'. Such practice is un-necessary and may even be harmful.

1. Displacing breast milk with water results in proportionate reduction of nutrient intake.

2. 'Sugar water' during first week of infancy is associated with weight loss.

3. 'Sugar water' may result in diarrhea.

4. If mother believes that infant is thirsty during summer, give an extra breast feeding.

5. If an infant has mild diarrhea, give extra breastfeeding to prevent dehydration. If the diarrhea is severe, the physician needs to prescribe Oral Rehydration Therapy that has appropriate electrolytes in the fluids.

Type of water

In United States, tap water has fluoride. In addition, tap water may have lead (from old pipes). For infant formula, use distilled water.

When to start giving water

1. For breast fed or formula fed infants, you may start giving water after the age of 6 months.

2. Do not give more than 1 cup of water per day till the age of one year. Too much of water can result in 'oral water intoxication' caused by dilution of sodium in the body, and jaundice.

3.  Do not use use tap water for infants under the age of 1 year. In United States, the tap water is fluoridated. The infants may get overdosed from the fluoride. In addition, the old houses may have lead pipe plumbing.

4. Use distilled water.

5. Give water after giving solid foods such as meats and eggs.

6. Giving water may be useful if the baby has constipation.

Why giving water is harmful before 6 months?

1. A baby fills up on water, depriving of nutrients from breast milk or infant formula.

2. Too much water can cause imbalance of electrolytes.

3. Breast milk is 88% water, infant formula is 80 % water. There is no need for any more fluids.