Cooled Boiled Water For Babies.

[Barsel]

When and why was it recommended to stop giving this to babies? My little Granddaughter who is 4 months old, is in hospital for the second time with a UTI. Just spoken to my daughter on the phone and asked if baby is getting plenty of water and was told no, they don't give babies water anymore. They say breast milk is sufficient and water should never be given.I gave all 3 of mine water when they were babies, boiled, cooled and put in a sterilised bottle.

[ummmm]

Is she on a drip?

[pixie374]

I never did, as they were breastfed, so it isn't necessary. Only really once a baby starts getting weaned.
Assuming she is cleaned front to back only, it may just be something she is prone to...

[margarettom]

I never gave boiled water. I’ve never heard of that. I’m talking 1969, the era of Dr Spock.

[Mamyalynne]

It's still done (a few teaspoons) for formula fed constipated little ones but not neededf or breastfed babies.

[barry1010]

We never gave our breastfed babies water 30-40 years ago.

[Barsel]

To be honest with you ummmm I don't know. I know she has a canula in her hand and they have been giving her antibiotics while they've been waiting for the cultures to grow so I suppose she is getting them through an IV drip.Baby was born with an enlarged kidney and they are still deciding what to do about it, but in the meantime she is getting infections and I just thought water would help, but it seems not.

[pixie374]

The enlarged kidney sounds as though it may be the cause, so they may suggest something different for her. I hope they work it out and get her sorted soon x

[carrot99]

Both my breastfed daughters had cooled, boiled water in the '80s but that was the era of the 'Marks and Spencer Baby Book'.

[ummmm]

Mine would drink water.

[Barsel]

Thank you Pixie. Baby has been in hospital since Wednesday and it's awful for my daughter as obviously she can't have visitors and can't leave the room they are in. I suppose the doctors would have told her if she had to give baby water, I just didn't realise you shouldn't. My daughters were born '76 '80 and '83 and were breast fed, but I still gave them cooled boiled water, especially in hot weather.Things have changed a lot since then.

[Sqad]

It matters not one jot if you give a baby water or milk and it is rarely necessary to supplement the normal child.
Same for adults.
However there are certain medical situations where an individual may need more fluids or restricted fluids but usually this is in a hospital situation.

[barry1010]

Mine were born the same time as yours and the midwives told us not to give them water, barsel. Ours never drank anything from a bottle, they went straight to sippy cups when they were being weaned

[pixie374]

They change constantly, barsel... and I can't imagine you did anything wrong. I breastfed four, totally, without bottles. They definitely didn't need anything else, and tbh, I think if I had given them water, they would have been less thirsty, missed out, and maybe reduced the milk supply... bottle feeding may be different.
I also started weaning mine at about 4 months (one at 10 weeks), where now, it is 6 months minimum. But babies don't read books... they are ready when they are ready...
I just wish her and her mum all the best and hope they quickly work it out x

[ummmm]

I was meant to say mine 'wouldn't' drink water.

[Barsel]

Thanks Pixie. Daughter just phoned to say baby is having another ultrasound scan on Monday to see what's happening to her kidney. Feel so helpless that I can't go to see her.Even her hubby can't visit.x

[barry1010]

I feel for you, Barsel. I hope she is soon home, fit and well

[pixie374]

Yes, me too... difficult for you and your daughter and sil. But- she is in the right place and being checked properly.

[Barsel]

Thank you Barry and Pixie for your kind words.xx

[marval]

Sorry to hear this Barsel, hope she gets better soon.