Water for Babies?!?!

Definitely not distilled - the minerals all are removed from distilled water. I have an under sink water filter that filters my tap water to remove the chlorine. I don't like bottled water because of the plastic leeching chemicals into the water.

Hi C.,

I started giving my daughter water at about 5 to 6 months, especially when she started solids. I used to boil water for her, but I know they sell bottled water in baby stores and I dont see anything wrong with spring water, I used to give it to her and she was fine. Just dont give too much, like 2 ounces a day. She can get full on the water and not want to drink her milk or eat the baby food.

Once you begin solids you should give her water as well. It's important for preventing constipation, but also in maintaining kidney function as well. With the introduction of solid foods it is more for the kidneys to process so she needs water. My pediatrician said to start with at least 4 oz a day to begin, a little more if it's hot out. I started by giving my daughter a sippy cup with meals, she wouldn't drink it at first and would only take it out of a spoon (that was a pain). Now at one she loves water, and will drink it off and on throughout the day as opposed to juice. I've heard that babies prefer it to be cold, rather than room temperature. Tap water or poland spring is good, depending on how you feel about flouride. Some people think it's necessary, other feel it is poison. Hope this helps.

It is important to give water once she starts taking in significant amounts of protein (chicken, tofu, etc) for kidney function. If you haven't already, try to pick up Ruth Yaron's Super Baby Foods book - she tells you everything you will ever need to know (and then some) about what goes into your little ones body, what it does, what she needs, etc. Enjoy!

As long as your daughter is still getting enough formula or breastmilk it's ok to give her water now. That's a great way to introduce a sippy cup. You should give her faucet water. Children need the floride that's in it. If you prefer not to give her the regular tap water then you can get the nursery water. I am pretty sure that has floride added. Most bottled water does not have floride. Her doctor will tell you that same thing if you ask.

Our pediatrician said we could give it in small amounts when our last son was 6 months old. The primary fluid should still be breastmilk or formula. The only thing we did was give him filtered water and sometimes bottled like Poland Springs. Remember that Daisani and Aquafina are really only tap water.

L.

Hi C.,
Water is not necessary for breastfed babies, she would get all the fluid that she needs from her milk. I am not sure whether the AAP recommends any water for formula fed babies under a year

Hi there. I introduced water to my daughter around 7 months. The pediatrician recommended that I give her no more than 2 ounces in one sitting. I can't remember the maximum ounces per day that we gave her per day since it was over a year ago. I started and still give her Poland Springs bottled water and have not had any issues with her.

My suggestion to you would be to ask your daughter's pediatrician and she what he/she says. Researching on the internet will make your head spin. Trust what the pediatrician says. Good luck!

If you have a home water filter, that's what you should give your baby. Don't give a baby well water. I'd also stay away from bottled water because it's in plastic and even though they're supposedly a "safe" plastic, plastics just aren't so great in general. Finally, the Brita water pitchers I think are made of polycarbonate plastic, which has been in the news a lot for leaching bisphenol-A into whatever you put in it. Wal-Mart has stopped selling baby bottles made of polycarbonate plastic, if that gives you any indication. I do a ton of research on this stuff so let me know if you have any questions.

i beleive it is 4-6 months...i used nursery water. when he turned one i gave him poland springs.

I started giving water in a sippy cup around 5-6 months, she's now 8 months old. Our doctor said to start when she started on more solids and to give during meals. She gets a sippy cup at all 3 meals. I don't she doesn't drink a lot out of it yet. They say water is good for the baby, just maybe around 2 oz. Because if they did have too much, it could cause liver or kidney damage. I can't remember which one he said.

When I asked my dr, he said that after 4 months it's ok to give them water. I usually gave my son 2 oz of bottled water throughout the day. My dr said that the tap water in my town is fine so I can even give him that if I wanted too....it also has minerals, etc. You should ask your doc about the tap water where you live and see what they recommend.

Hi C.,

I have been giving my two little ones water since there were 2 wks old due to constipation. I think it would be fine, bottled water about 2 oz. at a time until she get acustom to drinking it. She may joke a little at first drinking it to quickly, but its natural giving she mainly drinking milk right now I would think. :) Little at a time I say. Good Luck! :)

we gave our daughter water when she was about 3 months old. just a bit each day so that she would b e used to the idea of it.

Hi C.,
I believe the "experts" say that water is ok after 6 mos of age. My son was exclusively breastfeed, but I introduced water with the intention of getting him used to using a cup. I don't think we ever offered him water in a bottle. I found the take & toss cups with the removable handles to work best. They are semi spill proof so your child doesn't have to suck so hard to get something out. I have always given my son water right out of our brita pitcher (in fact I leave it out of the fridge so it isn't too cold for him). I would recommend introducing water to your daughter, and if she likes it, continue with it instead of switching to juice, with unnecessary sugar.
I know what you mean about the conflicting info - very confusing! Best of luck to you!

I once read somewhere (can't remember now) that children this age should not have more then 6 oz a day of water. I dilutes their electrolites and any amount higher then this can be harmful. Baby's really don't need water, they get enough from the formula/breastmilk and foods they eat.

ask your DR about giving water, but mine told me it was safe to give my son water since he was 3.5 months old. i just give him tap water and not usually too much. he loves to drink out of cups, so i give him a little during the day and after meals.

I don't think that water plays any part in constipation or not.
also, my DR said that giving him a little water would not disturb his normal eating pattern (i.e., he would still nurse just as much). hope that helps.

Actually, i think i have read too that at 7 months (or earlier) you can start giving juices as well.
like 1 cup apple juice diluted with 1 cup water.

It's ok to give some water. Not too much though b/c they are still getting a good amount of hydration via breastmilk or formula. As for the type of water - tap is usually best depending on your tap water. If you have a well - get it checked for everything from pesticides to metals. But - it's usually better than most bottled waters. Filtering water can strip the water of it's good stuff (filters take out everything - the bad and the good). Don't use a water cooler as the plastic (5 gallon) containers are made with the plastic containing bisphenol-A. If you have city water - it may have flouride (nevermind countless other things) that the baby shouldn't ingest at this point (yes, I know it's in their vitamins - still not a good idea!) If you buy bottled water - try to find some in glass bottles - my dgtr actually always loved "bubbles" - the Pellegrino mineral water (even at 7 mos). Mineral water is supposed to be better b/c it replenishes minerals vs water that takes away minerals from the body (usually in more excessive consumption).

You should start now and introduce it in a sippy cup. I always used tap water for our kids, no ice...we have good, clean water here. Not sure about bottled water because of the hullabaloo that is going on with the plastic bottles.

7 months is great - I love that age!

J.

4-6 months is the perfect time to introduce water to babies, but only in a sippy cup, never put water in a bottle. Usually 1-2 ounces a day. By 7-8 months 4-6 ounces a day. Ask your pediatrician what the recommendations are. Doctors are always changing the guidelines based on new studies. I know some mothers who have given their baby water as early as 6 weeks! In very small amounts. It's in formula. Also, never put juice in a bottle. If you are breast feeding you will never need a bottle unless you pump, or stop breast feeding before one year. The only use for a bottle should be breast milk or formula. Never use it for regular milk. By one year the baby should be off of bottles completely. My pediatrician liked the Doctor Brown bottles and sippy cups. All the Best, J. H.

I think it's really good to give your daughter water, as long as she's getting enough milk/formula too. And as long as she's a healthy, strong 7 month old, you can give her tap water!

I began to give water early (2 months) just so my son would begin to like it. I give him filtered water. He didnt like it mcuh as a baby or toddler, but now at the age of four he will choose water or milk over juice...and can't stand soda!

It's really up to you. If you are breastfeeding you don't need to give her water. It has all the fluids she needs for hydration and will prevent constipation. My now 19 month old daughter never took a bottle and only drank small amounts of water from a cup when she was well over a year. She was just fine not having any water until then. I would recommend getting a good water filter that hooks up to your sink. It's expensive at first but really pays off since bottled water is expensive. It filters out pollutants and gets rid of the chlorine taste.