Why is water dangerous for babies?
Humans need water to survive but did you know that babies under six months don’t ever need to drink a drop of it? Seems kind of odd now, doesn’t it? Even though babies are teeny tiny adorable little humans or loud demanding lumps of flesh, their inner workings are quite different to an adult’s, which means, they can’t eat and drink the same things grown-ups do. Even a couple of ounces of water can pose major health problems.
Why should a baby say NO to H2o?
You’ve just had a beautiful baby. Look how cute it is. Just like most living things, a baby needs food and water to survive. Right? Well, maybe not just yet. According to the World Health Organization, babies should be exclusively breastfed for the first six months of their life. If they can’t be breastfed, formula will suffice. It isn’t until they are 6 months old that they can have solid foods and water incorporated into their diet at a slow and steady pace in combination with breast milk. Once they’re 2 years old, the child’s parents can decide whether or not to wean them off breast milk. Considering that humans are made of 60% water. It’s really strange to hear that babies don’t drink water for the first 6 months of their lives.
How do they survive? Wouldn’t they become severely dehydrated?
Surprisingly enough, the answer is no. Unlike adults, babies are composed of approximately 75% water. That’s why their bottoms are always wet. Babies simply don’t need water in the same way young children and adults do. Babies remain healthily hydrated thanks to a regular intake of breast milk or formula. Even in the hottest months of the year, babies can remain hydrated from their daily breast milk or formula intake unlike adults who crave a cold glass of water on a hot summer day.
How much harm can water do to a baby’s insides?
A lot! First of all, water can fill up a baby’s tummy which can make it difficult for them to absorb the right amount of nutrition they need from their breast milk or formula. This lack of nutrition can cause them to lose weight and it can also elevate their levels of bilirubin, a substance that can lead to jaundice or yellowing of the skin when presenting babies without being properly filtered in the liver. Too much water in babies’ small bellies can also fill them up and will spoil their appetite for the milk or formula they desperately need for healthy growth. It’s also why doctors advise parents not to water down breast milk or formula as even a small amount of water can cause this to happen. However there are times when certain formulas call for a small amount of water. But you can add water as long as it’s an amount considered safe by local health department’s. Either way, it’s very important to consult with your doctor before doing. If you use too much water in your formula mixture or in general, you risk giving your baby water intoxication which can prove to be very dangerous.
Symptoms of life-threatening water intoxication include:
- irritability
- drowsiness
- a low body temperature of 36 degrees or less
- puffy eyes
- other mental issues
If your baby shows any of these symptoms, it’s crucial that you get medical attention as soon as possible.
Additionally, watering down formula unnecessarily, can screw up a baby’s electrolyte balance. This imbalance can cause major complications like seizures. Giving water to babies doesn’t only interfere with their ability to absorb nutrients, it also does major harm to their organs. It’s important to remember that even when a baby is born healthy, many of their organs are still growing and need to receive certain vitamins to function correctly. Consider the kidneys, a baby’s kidneys are super small, half the size of an adult’s. If a baby is given water before the age of six months, their kidneys simply won’t know what to do with it and they aren’t big enough to hold it all. Even a few ounces can be a big problem. If you think back to biology class in high school, I know it was a pretty long time ago but you can do it. You’ll probably recall learning that kidneys are the body’s filtration system. Whatever liquids you drink go through the kidneys where toxins are filtered out, so the right nutrients can be absorbed into the body. But a baby under six months old doesn’t have a fully developed filtration system in their body. This inability to filter water can literally intoxicate the baby affecting their overall growth and development. Ingesting water when the kidneys aren’t mature enough can cause the body to flush out sodium with this excess water. In babies, losing sodium can affect brain activity and cause water intoxication and dehydration. Who knew water could do so much harm to a person?
How to incorporate water into a baby’s diet?
Let’s say your baby has finally reached the six-month mark and they’re perfectly healthy and ready for water, you can’t just give them a huge bottle of water and expect their bodies to know what to do with it. Just like you deal with solid food, you need to incorporate water gradually into their diets along with breast milk and formula. You should only give a baby a couple of sips of water here and there between the ages of 6 and 12 months. This will help the baby get used to drinking it. Since you can only give them a tiny bit of water at a time in the very beginning, try giving them just a taste of water on a spoon. This will give them a chance to experience the stuff. After drinking breast milk or formula for the first 6 months of their life. tasting water may be a little confusing. Feeding them a small teaspoon of it every now and then after the six-month mark will get them used to what it feels like to sip water. At this time, babies are also getting acclimated to holding a sippy cup rather than a bottle or breast. So it’s important to do it gradually. So it’s not too shocking or overwhelming.
Try different types of cups.
Those with handles are especially great to help your little one experiment with depth, perception and dexterity. They’ve never really held a cup before after all. Most sippy cups have small sprouts on them. The baby doesn’t get too much liquid at a time. You wouldn’t want them to choke on it. You can also choose cups with artificial nipples on them since the baby is more used to drinking from that than an open spout. Giving infants at 9 and 12 months of age just a few ounces of water a day.
How much water toddlers need?
Which babies are considered toddlers? Which is from ages 12 to 36 months. Water can be incorporated into their daily routine along with their other foods. According to the United States Department of Agriculture, toddlers typically need around 1.3 liters of water a day which includes water found in milk, juice and other foods. But remember, no matter what age your baby is or what guidelines and suggestions you find online or in books, it’s always best to consult your pediatrician about your baby’s specific situation. If your baby is under six months old and they’re sick or dehydrated, don’t assume they can handle a little water. Even a little juice can seriously disrupt their system, thanks to ingredients like sugar and water. Ask your pediatrician first and together you can decide how to move forward.
Healthy babies are happy babies and happy babies make mommies and daddies happier than ever. Up until they someday ask you for the car keys and you’ve already seen them drive.