Formula and Water

Updated on March 12, 2010
R.M. asks from Trenton, NJ
15 answers

I was preparing to breast feed with my son until he arrived. When he arrived i couldnt get my milk flow to start so switched to bottle feeding however did no research so i dont know if i need to give him water along with the formula or is there a certain age when he should start getting water?

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So What Happened?

well as a few of u said my milk did start to come so i am now trying to get him breast feeding he wnot take tgo my breasts so i just pump it is workin fine

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E.D.

answers from New York on

You don't need to give the baby anything besides breast milk or formula, the water you mix with the formula is enough. To much water is bad for babies, their little bodies can only handle so much.

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S.V.

answers from New York on

No water. A baby's kidneys aren't quite ready and work to hardwork if you give them water. My doctor told me no water and my daughter did not have any until she was well over 1 year old. If you breast feed, your milk has water in it and If you decide to give your baby formula, some is made with water.

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H.B.

answers from Portland on

My milk did not come in for over 5 days! I kept trying to nurse while supplementing with formula. My friends told me to drink a beer and lay around all day. Sounds crazy, but my milk came in immediatley after that.

Anyways, If you are not able to breastfeed, then formula is ALL your newborn should need. NO WATER, except what is mixed into the formula as directed on the container.

A newborn should not be taking in water or juice. Only formula or breastmilk.

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A.P.

answers from New York on

I saw that you posted somewhere else that your baby is only 5 days old. I'm not sure if you realize this or not, but breastmilk can take 3-5 days to come in. During that time the baby is ingesting colostrum. If you still have decided that breastfeeding isn't something you want to do, just formula then. You do not need to give a baby water bottles. You mix water with the powder formula, and water has NO nutritional value. Good luck with your little baby.

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D.P.

answers from Pittsburgh on

Ask your pediatrician right away. I'm thinking he's getting plenty of water with the formula (it's mostly water, right?) and water for very young babies can be dangerous.

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K.C.

answers from Wichita on

I wouldn't give any water until your child can eat finger foods & then only water with the meal. Until he is 1 year old his main source of nutrition should be formula/breast milk.

God bless!

C.A.

answers from New York on

There is enough water mixed with the formula so there is no need to give him any extra. I started giving my daughter water when she started on solids. The only other time that I gave her water was when she was constipated. That was per the Dr. Water will make them have a bowl movement. You don't want to give them too much water cause their little system can't handle it. So the water mixed with the formula is enough.

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P.K.

answers from New York on

Water is not needed. However, on a hot day a little water would be
refreshing.

C.S.

answers from Charlotte on

The formula has sufficient water for infants, they don't need additional water. I started giving my babies water when they started eating food (around four months) because they were taking less formula

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L.O.

answers from Detroit on

The baby will get all the water he needs from the formula.. after about 6 months he can have small sips of water.. like in a sippy cup with meals.. or on hot days..

babies have tiny tummies.. and they need to fill it with lots of calories. water will fill up the tummy with no calories to help him grow.

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A.M.

answers from Fargo on

My son is 2 months old and I never give him only water - the only thing we give him is formula. I have heard that it is ok to offer your baby plain water between feedings if the baby is sick,constipated, or sweating alot, but I would talk to your baby's doctor first.

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M.T.

answers from New York on

Infants don't need water. Water fills them up but offers no nutritional value at all, so it keeps them from taking the amount of breastmilk or formula they need. You shouldn't give any supplemental foods or beverages til six months, per the AAP, and it's fine to not give any water for the first year.

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K.P.

answers from New York on

NO WATER! Only formula or breastmilk. Babies should not drink anything without a doctor's recommendation until they are much much older (12 months).

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A.H.

answers from New York on

No water - not good for babies, since it has no nutrition at all. As for breastfeeding, milk may not come in for 5 days in new moms - keep trying! Oatmeal helps alot (which is why beer works too - it has oats in it). Please see a pediatrician too - he/she can answer all your questions and more!

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