Do newborns need to drink water when they are breastfed? Do newborns need to drink water?

Do newborns need to drink water after breastfeeding? The issue of babies drinking water is one of the issues that parents are concerned about. Can newborns drink water? Are there any serious consequences for newborns drinking water? Today, let's introduce to you what to do about newborns drinking water. Please see the detailed introduction below.

Do newborns need water when they are breastfed?

How often should you breastfeed?

The World Health Organization points out: "It is best for babies to eat only breast milk within six months of birth. No other food or liquid is needed, and no water is needed." This sentence clearly tells us two very important knowledge: First, breast milk contains all the nutrients needed by babies within six months of birth. Babies can absorb and digest it very easily. The quality of breast milk within six months is very high.

Exclusive breastfeeding does not require water, but mixed breastfeeding requires water. So how often is it appropriate to drink water during breastfeeding? The most appropriate time to drink water should be between two breastfeedings. That is to say, the mother can give the baby some water after a while after feeding the baby. However, it should be noted that the amount of water should not be too much, just an appropriate amount is fine.

Special circumstances in which breastfeeding requires water

When the baby is in a special period of water shortage, it is still necessary to feed the baby with an appropriate amount of water. For example, when the baby has a high fever, diarrhea and dehydration, or takes sulfa drugs, it is necessary to feed some warm water to replenish the loss of water in the body.

Every mother and baby has her own particularities. If the baby sweats a lot, the house is very stuffy and the ventilation is poor, and the mother herself does not like to drink water, you should consider giving the baby appropriate amounts of water.

The editor reminds you that, in addition to exclusive breastfeeding, other artificially fed or mixed-fed babies must be given appropriate water. In addition, after the baby is 6 months old, it is also necessary to replenish water between meals, which is not only good for the baby's healthy growth, but also helpful for the baby's weaning in the future.

Breastfed babies drinking water

For babies who are exclusively breastfed, mother's milk is the best food and the best source of water. Mother's milk can provide babies with sufficient water. Generally speaking, there is no need to supplement water within six months. If you supplement water for the baby, it will not only not bring good results and quench the baby's thirst, but it will also be harmful to the baby. Moreover, because the baby is exclusively breastfed at this time, he does not recognize the bottle. If you force the baby to drink more water, it may cause water poisoning. Therefore, there is no need to feed water to babies within six months. There is sufficient water in the mother's milk to provide to the baby.

Can't the baby drink water at all?

For babies under 6 months old who are fed with formula milk, mothers no longer have to consider "adding water between feedings" as a mandatory task. The AAP clearly states that for babies under 6 months old, it is usually not necessary to add water or juice when eating breast milk or formula milk.

At this point, I think some mothers may have misunderstood a meaning: they think that no matter whether they are breastfed or formula-fed, babies cannot drink water before 6 months old. Please note that it is not that they cannot drink water, but that they do not need to deliberately feed water. These are two different concepts.

Water is the source of life. How can we say that we cannot drink water?

Analysis of the original words above: We can find several key words: one is usually; the other is not necessary. I personally think that Americans are more rigorous in their thinking. I believe that there must be a reason why AAP put forward such a statement:

First of all, in terms of composition, 90% of breast milk is water.

Second, before the baby starts eating complementary foods, the body does not need much extra water.

Third, because babies aged 0-6 months are in a period of rapid growth and development, mothers should not feed their babies too much water, which will affect the baby's milk supply. After all, the baby's stomach capacity is limited at this time. The most popular stage for this practice is: Do not feed the baby water arbitrarily or randomly in the first 3 days after the baby is born, otherwise it may affect the mother's milk production.

Fourth, it is to relieve the psychological pressure of many mothers who feed their babies with formula milk. Because maternal love is great, but also sensitive. Mothers will be too worried that their babies will become constipated due to formula milk feeding, and thus pay great attention to the problem of adding water to their babies.