Water for a breastfed baby: when is it given?

With the development of medicine, the possibility of domestic medicine to use the best practices of specialists from other countries, much has changed in our understanding of it, especially in pediatrics. Until now, doctors of the old school repeat the dogmas learned by heart many years ago. One of them is the need to give water to the baby while breastfeeding. But is it?

Does a newborn need water when breastfeeding?

An infant, like all people, cannot do without water, especially since its metabolic processes occur faster than in adults. But there is enough of it in breast milk. It is 85% water.

The World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF, acting under the auspices of the United Nations, in their declaration "10 principles of breastfeeding" in one of the paragraphs clearly state that when breastfeeding a newborn, no other food or drink is required except for medical reasons. [1]

When to introduce water while breastfeeding?

Since the document does not contain more detailed explanations, it is possible to determine when to introduce water during breastfeeding, starting from the keyword "newborn". These are considered children under 28 days of their life. If there is enough milk and the baby receives it on demand, then this may be a later date.

This approach can be disrupted by high ambient temperatures (+ 35 ° C and above), enterovirus infections. There is more water in the so-called "front milk" than in the subsequent milk, so you need to alternate the breasts. [2]

How much water should I give my baby while breastfeeding?

It is recommended to give no more than 60-100 ml of pure water up to 4 months. On average, if mother's milk enters the child's body in a volume of 500 ml per day, then 50 ml per kilogram of weight is sufficient.

What is the way to do it? There is a convenient option to give it from a bottle with a nipple, but the baby may like it because of the ease of obtaining liquid and he may refuse to breast. It is best to use a spoon, cup, or special sippy cup.

Water for complementary feeding while breastfeeding

If adding water to newborns during breastfeeding reduces the absorption of valuable elements, for example, iron by as much as 2 times, prevents the formation of immunity, contributes to the appearance of constipation in the baby, then the introduction of complementary foods requires an increase in fluid intake. It is usually started after 4-6 months.

The need to drink is associated with the fact that additional food partially displaces the flow of breast milk, it is of a different consistency and only water can prevent dehydration. [3]

What water to add to the breastfed newborn?

Water for supplementing during breastfeeding should not be boiled. When using raw, you need to take care that it is well cleaned, does not contain nitrates and microorganisms dangerous for the immature digestive tract.

Other options might be:

• dill water - it helps with colic well, you can make it yourself from fennel or buy it ready-made at the pharmacy. It not only relieves painful spasm, but also contains vitamins A, C, P, group B, phosphorus, potassium, iron, useful elements for the baby;
• mineral water - it is also used, but not carbonated and low mineralization (no more than 500 g of salts per liter).

You can try to introduce water with lemon to the child closer to the year, or even later. Despite the fact that this fruit has many beneficial properties, it strengthens the immune system well, due to the high content of vitamin C, it is still, like all citrus fruits, too allergenic. You can start with just a few drops in a glass of water squeezed out of a fresh fruit and watch the reaction. [4]

The baby spits up water when breastfeeding

Breastfeeding mothers know that while breastfeeding, the baby often spits up milk or curdled masses. This is normal and is due to the body's natural reflexes. But sometimes water flows out of the baby's mouth, which he does not drink. Why is this happening?

This can only be associated with increased salivation and not carry anything dangerous. Another reason lies in the fact that the milk in the stomach curdles and, like any other, is divided into curd and rather transparent whey, which is released.