Is it ok to give newborn water - Pregnancy and Par...

Pregnancy and Parenting Support

59,289 members17,004 posts

Is it ok to give newborn water

destiny121 profile image
18 Replies

Hi ladies... my mother in law is telling me it’s ok to give my baby water. However.. I didn’t think this was true and should only be when he’s older. Please share your thoughts xx

Written by
destiny121 profile image
destiny121
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
18 Replies

I was told by my hv not to give water till they are about 2 months old and your not a loud to give them much. best advice is speak to you mv or hv they can give you a proper answer xx

destiny121 profile image
destiny121 in reply to

Thank you xx

Why is she saying he needs water? They get what they need from breast and formula milk.

If they are constipated then may be but I probably wouldn’t have done it so young as normally a bit of massage and bicycle legs help xx

destiny121 profile image
destiny121 in reply to

Exactly my point... turned up again unannounced at 7pm and still here now 😬

in reply todestiny121

Oh no! I don’t envy you. Luckily mine lives 500 miles away and I don’t speak to my mother xx

destiny121 profile image
destiny121 in reply to

Lol.. lucky you 🙈😊

Cheekymonkey85 profile image
Cheekymonkey85

Oh I do love a helpful mother in law 😂There is absolutely no need, especially if breastfed. Copied this from the "what to expect" website so you can set her straight

Unless she’s very sick, a baby who satisfies her appetite and her need to suck with bottles of water will miss out on the nutrition she needs from her feedings. If done regularly, this can cause weight loss, and in the case of breast-fed babies, it can decrease your breast-milk supply. Giving water to a baby in large amounts can even lead to oral water intoxication, a condition in which the electrolytes, such as sodium, in a baby’s bloodstream become diluted, inhibiting normal bodily functions and leading to dangerous problems such as low body temperature or seizures

There is no need to give a newborn water. as stated above they get what they need from their milk.or if he really need water then give it to them but small bits at a time but if he dont need it then there no point in giving it to him

my lb is 2 1/2 months and I only give him sips of water if its hot and he only has half oz if that.

Pinky333 profile image
Pinky333

I don't think it does any harm to give very small amounts of cooled boiled water, but a breastfed baby shouldn't need any, a formula fed one may need a little as they get older for thirst, apart from that you may want to give it perhaps for constipation or to prevent dehydration due to heat etc.

Same advice as above would be to ask health visitor/midwife.

Remember, mil may mean well but advice was different in her time and still changes frequently these days!

Just say thanks for the advice, I'll bare it in mind 😁

T5697 profile image
T5697

Giving them water is perfectly fine if required. Such as constipation or if they’re ill etc

Otherwise everything comes from the milk

It can’t be straight from the tap though. Needs to be boiled and cooled down and they can’t have it cold. It’ll give them a tummy ache. My little girl was really unwell at time when she was born and she really appreciated the water I gave her

Kempton profile image
Kempton

If you are breastfeeding you don't need to give your baby water. If you are formula feeding you can give a tiny amount of cooled boiled water, but I don't think that's even necessary. It's not like we are experiencing a heatwave.

Why is your MIL saying that? Maybe you or your partner need to tell her to back off! Were either of you able to talk to her about not just turning up? That must be driving you mad.

Maybe just start nodding and smiling and ignoring her unwanted advice!

Tenrose23 profile image
Tenrose23

u shouldn't give it baba any water to at least 6 months old. it that has be boiled water not tap. ur baby only needs breastmilk or bottled. they get the water intake thru the milk.

Annh17 profile image
Annh17

I was told my HV to give cooked boiled water as my LG was struggling with bowels. But I wouldn’t just give her water, no need for it. I hate an interfering mother in law x

romaluna2015 profile image
romaluna2015

I wouldn’t advise it. They can get what’s called water bloating. They don’t need water at this age . Every nutrient they need is in breast milk or formula . I only gave water around 5- 6 months when starting to wean on medical advice x

Georgielouise profile image
Georgielouise

Yes you can but boil it up and leave to cool down. I gave water to my baby when she was very constipated and not getting on with the formula I was using at the time and it helped as moved everything on. She had been crying in pain and was such a relief after she drank it and went to the toilet and settled. Also good to give water if you want to in the hot summer months to keep them well hydrated.

My hv said not to. Nhs advice is only give cooled boiled water to formula fed babies (so not at all to bf babies- they need that tummy space for milk) and then only in specific circumstances. Always ask your health visitor if you’re unsure x

KCey profile image
KCey

Yes it’s totally fine. Gripe water was/is a life saver. Especially when my newborn had hiccups. The box will tell you newborns+

Yeah normally you don’t need to give babies water. The only time I was advised to was when she was constipated.

Not what you're looking for?

You may also like...

Is it too early to give solids?

My son is 4 months old. I just want to know is too early to give solids
sugar123 profile image

Newborn uncomfortable to poo

My 18 day old baby cry’s every time she poos, and is very uncomfortable, I don’t know what to do or...
Mamaaaa profile image

Is it ok to drink warm water from the tap in the UK?

Hello everyone I am now in my third trimester and throughout the pregnancy, I drank lots of warm...
Rex2021 profile image

Newborn struggling to poo

Hi all, my newborn is 8 days old and today has been struggling to poo. She woke up at 6am and was...
Betty4893 profile image

Is it ok to take Prochlorperazine during 1st trimester

Hello everybody. I am 10 weeks pregnant and have been suffering very bad vomiting, especially from...
FeiFei profile image

Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.

Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.