Infants Water

A common question among many parents is whether they can give babies and infants water. We are all used to water as a basic drink that cannot hurt you, but the fact is that it is different with small babies.

It is the AAP strong recommendation that infants until 6 months old are fed with nothing else but breast milk or formula. These actually supply infants with water, other liquids and everything else they need to grow and develop. It is very obvious with the formula powder which is mixed with… water, but did you know that breast milk has 88% water in it? – so there’s no need to give babies any more water.

But it’s not just a case of “need”. Giving infants water can “fill” their stomach with not enough room left for nutrients that suppose to come from breast milk or formula. In certain cases it can even lead to water intoxication. There’s a level of sodium that is required in our blood in order for the body to function properly. Infants are in risk that too much water would dilute the sodium to a dangerous level.

Even in hot climates research had shown that infants water intake should be kept to zero. It’s only after you start giving your baby “real food” and lower the amounts of breast milk or formula, you should give start giving them water too. At this stage water is definitely preferable to juice, tea or other sugary liquids.