Is it good for newborns to drink more water? Be careful of water poisoning

Many mothers believe that "in addition to drinking milk, newborns should also drink more water, which can also help rinse their mouths, relieve constipation, and reduce jaundice... there are many benefits." However, doctors refute this statement, emphasizing that the water that babies get from breast milk or formula is enough, and there is no need to supplement with additional water. Otherwise, it will cause a burden on the body, electrolyte imbalance, and even water poisoning that endangers life. Only when the baby grows up to 4 to 6 months and starts to eat complementary foods can he drink an appropriate amount of water.

After the baby is 4 to 6 months old and starts eating complementary foods, it is time to supplement water in moderation.

Wang Xingan, a pediatrician at the Zhongshan Medical University Hospital, pointed out that the amount of milk that babies drink a day is calculated as 150cc of milk per kilogram of body weight, and the source of water is milk. For example, a baby weighing 3 kilograms should drink 450cc of milk a day, 8 meals a day, and about 60cc per meal. Parents can simply evaluate whether the water intake is sufficient; if the baby is breastfed, feed the baby when he wants to drink milk, and the water intake is sufficient.

Wang Xing'an said that parents often bring their babies to the clinic to ask about their children's health, worrying that their children do not drink enough water and thinking that only drinking milk will cause constipation. But in fact, it is enough for babies to drink the water in the milk, and drinking water has nothing to do with constipation. To clean the baby's mouth, you can use gauze dipped in water to gently clean the mouth. Moreover, general physiological jaundice in newborns will also subside naturally, so they should not be forced to drink water deliberately.

In fact, it is enough for babies to drink the water in the milk!

There were 1 or 2 month old newborns in the outpatient clinic whose parents gave them an extra bottle of water after each meal. This caused heart strain and electrolyte imbalance in the baby, leading to drowsiness and vomiting. The baby was sent to the hospital, suffering from water intoxication and hyponatremia. He recovered after treatment.

Wang Xing'an said that the kidneys of newborns are immature, and if they drink too much water, it cannot be excreted from the body, which will cause a burden on the heart and cause electrolyte imbalance. In mild cases, there will be no symptoms, but in severe cases, water poisoning may occur, with symptoms such as headache, vomiting, drowsiness, and changes in consciousness. Especially for newborns with heart problems, drinking too much water can cause shortness of breath; the lungs of premature babies are immature, so their water intake must be strictly controlled.

It is not until the baby starts to eat complementary foods at 4 to 6 months old and the amount of milk decreases relatively that it is necessary to supplement water. You can supplement it in an appropriate amount and feed it in small amounts of water.