What you need to know about water for babies

If you have a child, you are likely to make sure that he has enough water and nutrients to stay healthy. Even if your baby is drinking breast milk or formula, is that enough to keep her hydrated? Yes. Here's what you need to know.

How babies stay hydrated

As an adult, water is the most hydrating thing you can drink. It quenches thirst and helps all your systems stay balanced.

But children under one year old do not need water, like adults. It can really be dangerous for them. Babies get all their hydration from breast milk or formula.

When can baby start drinking water

The baby should only drink breast milk or formula until he is six months old. It has all the necessary hydration and nutrition in the first months of life.

Even when you start giving them purees or table foods around 6 months of age, breast milk and formula are still more important than water. But you can start getting to know him.

When children are 6 to 12 months old, breast milk or formula is still given priority over water. But if you are offering breast milk or formula first, then you can offer water, 60-90 ml at a time. At this age, 120-240 ml of water per day is sufficient. Moreover, it can lead to water intoxication.

Make sure the water is safe for the baby

Before using water to mix formula or offering water to a baby for the first time, consider testing your tap water. While tap water may contain fluoride, which helps prevent cavities, it can also contain levels of lead that are harmful to children.

If you're worried about lead exposure and trace chemicals in your water, install a filtration system or use distilled water instead. You can buy distilled water or distill it yourself by boiling it for 10 minutes.

Recommendations for mixing the mixture with water. If you are using tap water to mix the mixture, mix only one bottle at a time. Do not use tap water to mix the mixture in large quantities.

A similar rule applies to water that you have boiled. Refrigerate boiled water for 1 hour and discard if not used within 24 hours. Always let the water cool completely before mixing the mixture. Hot water can burn the baby.

When buying a mixture, carefully follow the instructions on the package for mixing it with water. Instructions vary by brand. This ensures that your baby gets the right amount of nutrients and moisture.

Mixing too much formula can lead to constipation or dehydration. Mixing too little mixture can lead to malnutrition or water intoxication.

Risks associated with water for babies

Drinking too much water at a young age is very dangerous. Water causes an imbalance in sodium levels, which can lead to:

Convulsions
Brain damage
Coma
Death

Water intoxication leads to behavioral changes such as:

Confusion
Drowsiness
Muscle cramps and twitching
Nausea and vomiting
Difficulty breathing‌
Weakness

Watch for signs of water intoxication and see your doctor right away if you have any concerns.

Water as your baby grows

Between the ages of 1 and 3, your baby needs 4 cups of fluid per day. This is a transitional period that should include both water and breast milk or formula. The older your child gets, the more water he needs. There are several ways to encourage an older child to drink enough water.

Spice up the water with fresh fruit. Water is healthier than juice because many baby juices are high in sugar. If your child prefers the taste of juice, use fresh fruit to flavor the water. Lemon, berries, mint, and cucumber are great additions.
Offer more fruits and vegetables. Encourage your child to eat more fruits and vegetables with a high water content. This helps them stay hydrated without forcing them to drink more water than they want. Moisturizing vegetables include cucumbers, tomatoes, zucchini, celery, and iceberg lettuce. Moisturizing fruits include strawberries, watermelon, blueberries, melon, and grapefruit.
Make creative ice cubes and popsicles. Use food coloring to color the ice cubes in a fun color. Puree selected fruits with water and freeze them in ice cubes or popsicle molds.
Provide special drinkware. Use an unusual mug with your favorite colors or characters. When you find ways to entertain the water, your child is more likely to enjoy drinking it.