I took my 4 month old nephew to the doctor today for his check up and to get his shots and I have a couple of concerns that I would like to ask about. First the doctor said that we couldnt give him ANY water until he was over a year... Is that normal? I know that I gave my 7 year old water when he was little and he is fine now but the doctor says it messes with the sodium in their body... I guess I have never heard of that before.
Also my other concern is that the doctor is concerned about the shape and size of his head. They said that his head is bigger than normal and that it is flatter on the back than it should be. I guess I never noticed... They are sending us to a specialist to determine if there is a problem. He said that it is just to check because he isnt sure. He is developing normally and all but the doctor said that he still wants a second opinion that he is ok from the specialist. Has anyone had this happen to them? We are really nearvous, and we dont have the appointment with the specialist until the end of the month and I was to ease some concern with your help.
My pediatrician said that my baby should be fine with formula but that it is ok to give little sips of water in the heat but she was over six months at the time. It is true that too much water can mess up their systems.Is your baby still hungry after bottle feeding? My nephew had to wear a helmet to correct the flat spot on his head. It did not last very long and he is fine. I am sure your doctors are just being thorough.
Not sure about the water issue but my 1st son also had a big head. It wasn't flat but I know that is common and my friend's son had the helmet and it did wonders. Anyhow, when my son was 14 months they sent him for an ultrasound of his brain. They wanted to make sure that his big head size wasn't due to water on the brain. The ultrasound came out fine and it turns out he just has a big head like his daddy. Now he's 4 1/2 and grown into it and you'd never know. Just wanted to share my story, I'm sure everything is fine. Take care.
I had the same question, because I had been giving my 6 mos. old water and so I looked it up online. - Deb
July 13, 2000 - Avoid Giving Infants Water, Advise Children's Physicians
CINCINNATI -- Water may be essential for children, adolescents and adults to keep hydrated in the summer heat, but for infants, too much water can be life-threatening.
"Breast milk or formula is the only source of nutrition that infants need," says Michael Farrell, M.D., a gastroenterologist and chief of staff at Children's Hospital Medical Center of Cincinnati. "During the first months of life, too much water can upset the electrolyte balance, setting off possible brain swelling and seizures from water intoxication."
In addition, too much water can fill infants' stomachs so they don't get the nutrients they need to grow. This is particularly common in families that cannot afford formula or may dilute it to make it last longer.
Dr. Farrell suggests avoiding water entirely until a child is about 6 months old. If an infant has diarrhea and vomiting, he suggests oral rehydration fluids, such as Pedialyte® or Infalyte®.
Hi A.,
I have never heard of the sodium issue you mention but I do know that babies do not need water for the first year of their life. Breastmilk and/or formula provides all the nutrition baby needs for fuel (and then the addition of solids). If you give a newborn water it actually contributes to weight loss and jaundice because water just flows through the body and has no nutritional or caloric benefit. After 6 months it's ok to give water but there is still no need for it.
Your other concern is probably plagiocaphaly which is a flattening of the baby's head usually caused by sleeping on his back or being in a swing or bouncy seat too long. Not much you can do to prevent it but if it is causing the ears to move or the head to widen you can get the baby fitted for a helmet which can correct the problem (or at least keep it from getting worse).
Hope this helps a little!
I don't know about a sodium imbalance, but my peditrician told us our son would get all the fluids her needs from breast/formula. If it was hot outside, he should seem hungier because he will want the fluids. Water will fill him up and he will not want the breat/formula and will be missing vitale nutrients.
As for the larger head, my friends went through the same thing and their daughther was fine. It's always best to double check to be safe. If something may be wrong, they can find it early. Also, as for the head being flat, my friends doctor found out it was caused by the mattress in the portable crib. When she moved Catherine into the bigger crib with a better mattress, it went away. Check with the doctor on that. Good luck.
The pediatrician is correct. Babies shouldn't get fluids other than breastmilk or formula in the first year. It can mess with their salts and be dangerous, even fatal.
For an older baby (say, older than nine months), the occasional sip of water is not a big deal, but definitely not for a four month old.
Your nephews head is probably flat in the back since they sleep on their backs. That is very common. When he is awake try to make sure he isn't always on the back of his head. Also, I gave my son water since about 6-7 months. Not a lot but he had water. By around 10 months my son would only drink his bottle in the morning and night so we supplemented with water/water mixed with apple juice during the day. Good luck!!
Hello ~ I know this won't ease your concern to much because noone could ease mine until we went through it but my son who is now a healthy 3 year old, a day before christmas when he was 6 months we were told that his head was on the large side and he needed to get a brain scan. So we waited the month for the visit to arrive took him to the specialist which took 4 people to hold him down and was told he is fine he is going to be a big boy like his father. Now my 6 month old daughter just had an appointment and they said her head is a little flat on the side she favors so we have to take her to the Helmet clinic to be checked out. My husband is totally against going because he doesn't even notice the flattness but will go to make me happy. So what I am trying to say is don't worry to much if there was really a problem you would know sometimes I think the Dr.'s are so concerned about missing something they over check things.
my dr told me no water also for my kids.. it's normal..
does your son have a lot of tummy time? His head may be flattening because of how he is always laying. try switching him around in different positions and see if that helps
