Diet & Nutrition
Updated on 7 November 2022
If you’re wondering if the weather is too hot and sunny outside and your baby might need water then you can be wrong. Till your baby turns 6 months old he/she is receiving both hydration and nutrition from either formula milk or breast milk. Until your baby turns 6 months old there is no need to offer anything to your baby except breast milk or formula milk. The perfect time to introduce water to your baby is when you introduce solid foods to your baby after he/she has turned 6 months old. Before that, your baby’s fragile digestive system, tiny tummy, and developing kidneys are not ready to digest it. Offering water to a baby who is under 6 months old can result in malnutrition or can cause diarrhoea to the baby. According to the experts, water is not recommended for your little one in the first six months after childbirth.
Your baby will turn more active and fit when you will introduce solid foods and water to your baby.
To begin with, your baby should intake small sips and for that, you may use a bottle feeder, sippy cup, or spoon. You must consult a paediatrician before introducing water to your little one.
Weight loss
Chemical imbalances
Nutrient deficiencies (Malnutrition)
Water intoxication
Seizures
Tremors
Vomiting
Inconsolable crying
Lethargy
All the above-mentioned warning signs require immediate medical attention.
After start giving water to your little one you must keep in mind that accuracy of quantity matters a lot and it should be as follows:
Avoid giving supplemental water
60-120 ml per day. Most of the babies who are on breastfeeds don’t require water and if your baby is on formula feeds then he/she may need little water but not more than 120 ml per day.
According to the experts, the recommended quantity of water should be 850 ml- 1150 ml. It depends on each child because once your baby turns 1 year old, their digestive system is mature enough to tolerate large quantities of fluids.
If you’re using ready-to-use formula then there is no need to add extra water to the mixture. However, if you’re using the powdered form of formula mix then you must carefully read the guidelines and instructions mentioned on the package and be careful not to mix more than recommended.
As adults are advised to drink plenty of water every day to stay hydrated it’s exactly the opposite with babies. According to the experts, you must also avoid giving canned fruit juices to your little one as they are quite unhealthy and may lead to cramping and diarrhoea in babies. You must follow the doctor’s recommendations on giving water to your baby to ensure he/she stays healthy, active, and fit. Your 6-month-old baby gets benefited from the breastmilk and it helps them stay hydrated for instance:
Keep the tissues and joints of the body always lubricated
Maintains good volume of the blood
It transports oxygen and nutrients to the cells which help in removing waste from the body
Less than 5 wet diapers in one day
Dark yellow urine
Chapped and cracked lips
Baby cries with few or no tears (tearless crying)
Sunken eyes
Cold hands and feet
Extreme fussiness
Unusual sleepiness
Listlessness
You may also like: https://mylofamily.com/article/80247
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Written by
Mittali Khurana
Mittali is a content writer by profession. She is a dynamic writer with 04+ years of experience in content writing for E-commerce, Parenting App & Websites, SEO.
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