With high temperatures, one of the most frequent concerns among parents is the fear that the baby could become dehydrated if water is not offered, but it is important to know that even if it is very hot, it is not necessary to give the babies water before the six months .
It is true that babies are more vulnerable to dehydration in the heat since their body weight is made up of almost 80% water and they need to drink more often to avoid decompensation, but we will clarify the doubts about it.
Babies who are exclusively breastfed
Babies who are exclusively breastfed should not be given water as breast milk is 88% water.
Although the climate is extremely hot and dry, the baby gets all the nutrients and mineral salts it needs from its mother’s milk to protect itself against dehydration.
That is why it is so important to offer the breast on demand, that is, without schedules, whenever the baby requests it, especially in summer since the baby sweats more and needs to continually replace the water that his body loses. Offer your breast frequently.
Infants who are artificially breastfed
Babies under six months who drink formula do not need to be offered a bottle of water either, since they take feedings every 3-4 hours with enough water to stay hydrated, as long as the bottle is prepared with the formula. measures indicated and no more concentrates.
Offering extra water to the baby would only fill his stomach (which is much smaller than we imagine) with a substance without any nutritional contribution . It can be potentially dangerous as it decreases your appetite. In addition, even if it is bottled or boiled water, it constitutes a vehicle for infections.
If it is very hot, it is best to offer more frequent feedings , but with less quantity. That is, if he takes 180 ml of milk every 4 hours, offer him 90 ml every two hours.
And after six months?
So once the baby is six months old, the question is: when should we start offering water and how much?
Babies who continue to be breastfed on demand and have started complementary feeding do not need to be given water either , as breast milk, together with the liquid from fruits and vegetables, is sufficient to meet daily needs.
However, you can offer him some water , as long as it is away from the feed so that he does not reject the food, and without forcing him.
Children who drink formula milk, on the other hand, tend to start substituting solid foods for feedings, so it is likely that they need to drink water throughout the day. You have to offer them frequently and that the child takes what he needs.
“Normally” you don’t need to give them extra water
I have added the word “normally” to the title (thanks to the pediatrician Bruno Nievas for his appreciations), since it is not necessary to give water to babies fed and cared for under normal conditions, but since “there is everything” in this life, it is well worth it The clarification.
There are parents who wrap their babies with two bodys and three blankets in the middle of August who end up with severe dehydration, mothers whose milk production has decreased and they do not realize it and therefore the baby is not receiving the water supply he needs, or cases in which the formula milk is not prepared in the proper proportions and it is given more concentrated …
Thus we could continue naming cases and cases (which should not occur under normal conditions) that can make the baby need an extra supply of water.
In Babies and more | Summer with children: the importance of water consumption, breastfeeding and heat: in summer, more than ever breastfeeding on demand
