Can I give her water - Infant Care (up to 18 months old) Message Board

Tear_Drop · 05-11-2006, 11:54 AM

hi my DD is just over 3 weeks old and I am breastfeeding. Lately it has gotten really hot and I'm a bit worried she will get dehydrated I know all the books say the milk you give babies is fine and it has all the water the need, but when it's hot she sleeps more and it seems to be 3 sometimes 4 hours between feeds and I have tried to wake her, not happening!

Can I give her water or how will I know if she's dehydrated?

muffintop · 05-11-2006, 12:19 PM

To make sure she is getting enough fluids, check her output... Double check with your ped the number of "wet" diapers she has per day as to verify fluid intake. If she is in a hot house, sweating alot then check with your ped on giving bottles of water. Hope this helps.

Celestine · 05-11-2006, 01:05 PM

Ds just had a little flu with vomiting and diarehha. The easiest way the doc told us to check for hydration was to pull his bottom lip out and look into his mouth. It should be wet and slobbery. If it's dry, or tacky/sticky than he needed more fluids. They suggested some Pedialyte for fluids because it keeps their electrolytes up as well. You can also watch the urine amount and soft spot on the top of the head shouldn't be sunken. Ds has a very small soft spot so it's hard to tell that way with him. The slobber test worked the best.

I see your baby is only 3 weeks. I would check with the doc before giving anything besides formula/bm. Ds is 7 months old so he can have different things now.

Mom22greatkids · 05-11-2006, 01:57 PM

As long as you are breastfeeding her often enough she is getting all the water she needs from your milk. She should be nursing at least 12 times per day. Nurse her more if you think she needs more fluids. I wouldn't let her go longer than 2-3 hours between feedings.

debating · 05-11-2006, 02:30 PM

No, you do not need to give her water. In fact, you shouldn't give her water. The American Academy of Pediatrics does not recommend water unless medically necessary. Not only does it detract from time that she should be at the breast, but increased water can upset sodium levels and actually cause dehydration. If Baby gets a full stomach from drinking water she won't be as efficient at the breast, and this too can effect your milk supply, especially with a 3 week old baby (your supply won't be well established until closer to 6 weeks PP).

She should be having 5-6 sopping wet, heavy diapers per day, and nursing at least 8-12 times (every two to three hours).

The way to get a guage for how the diaper should feel when "loaded" is to put 2-4 tablespoons of water in a clean diaper. You'll get a feel for what a sopping wet diapers feels like that way.

And don't be alarmed by a soft spot on the head, unless it is accompanied by sunken, yellow eyes. All babies have soft spots, and some are more naturally sunken then others (like my baby's).

Just keep an eye on diapers, and if it's really hot, encourage Baby to nurse, even if she's not showing signs of hunger.

I live in Florida, so I know what you're talking about. We have AC, but if we go out in public it is HOT AND STICKY. It's gross, and it's only May! I also keep a bottle of water and some of her wash cloths in the diaper bag, and I wet the cloth and put it in the crook of her neck to keep her cool while we nurse. The skin to skin contact makes us both sticky and I find that helps.

I suggest you look into getting a sling. This way you can learn to master the art of breastfeeding on the go. I have JUST figured this out, and it's great. She can nurse in her sling while I do dishes and stuff. It's especially great in hot weather, or when she's fussy. You'll probably find it gets easier to do that as Baby gets older (mine is 7 weeks old).