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When can my baby start drinking water?

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It's best not to give your baby water before 6 months. At this newborn stage, breast milk or formula is all a baby needs to stay healthy. You don't want to fill up your baby on water, which may decrease her appetite and leave her malnourished. Pediatricians are also cautious about water because it's very easy to overload your baby. Giving a baby too much water too fast can cause her kidneys to flush out sodium and electrolytes, leaving her salt-depleted. In serious cases, this can trigger seizures. Even on a hot day, most babies don't need water -- breast milk or formula is enough to keep them hydrated. However, if your baby is constipated, your pediatrician may suggest giving her 2 ounces of water a day to get her back on track. After your child turns 1, she can start sipping water more regularly.

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Giving your baby water wont hurt. I would though make sure it is at least filtered water because regular tap water contains certain chemicals like chlorine that could upset babys tummy a little. I found a little warm water will help with constipastion. But I perfer to give my son Pedialyte. We had problems with him becoming constipated from the iron in his formula. The Pedialyte is healthy and keeps him well hydrated and plus its tasty! I started giving it to him at a month old. Just don't give a lot at once.

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I started giving my daughter 1 oz or water with a jar of baby food to help her get it down a little better.She loved the water but just cause your child loves it dont me its health for then at the time. My daughter had a uti and her Ped told me to give her water or watered down cranberry juice. so i guess it all depends on whats going on.

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i dont usually give my 8 month old water unless it was really hot outside and i was worried about him , but he has been having cereal since he was 4 months old (because he didnt sleep well at all) and we always mixed it with water and it never bothered him , i did the same for my 2 year old and she loved it too.

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i gave my son water when he was like 2.5 months but we were walking to and from dr appts and i live in az and the summers r hot. his ped said it was ok just not to give him too much. hes 7 months now and is fine. sometimes he likes water better than formula or juice.

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i think it depends on the baby....

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I give my 3 month old 1/2 ounce of water when she has hiccups and it always helps.

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My ped told me not to give my son water because they get enough threw the formula and that it could harm him more then help. my son is 8 months old now and has been eating cereal since 3months and was still told to mix with formula. so i think all drs are diff cuz my friends got a 2 month old and her dr told her to give pedalite instead of water when she was sick. sorry i guess ask your childs dr for best results.

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a lot of people give their babies formula or juice at night to help them go to sleep. i learned that even though their teeth are still developing, the sugar from the juice or milk will sit on their teeth all night and put them at risk for cavities. Even if they don't really like it, water is the best thing to give babies before bedtime.

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i give my 5 month old a few sips of water now and again because sometimes she doesnt want milk or cereal it doesnt seem to bother her

Submitted by halo10833

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I always mixed by daughter's cereal w/ water when she was a baby (but she started eating cereal at about 5-6 months after she could sit up by herself). She's 3 now and never had any problems. I will mix my 4 month old son's cereal w/ water when he's old enough, too.

Submitted by SierraConnorMom

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Yes...but would you want to eat your cereal with water???

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My pediatrician said once babies reach about 15 lbs, regardless of age, they can have a little water. The peds of most of my friends children agree to something more or less along these lines, unless your baby is malnourished/not eating well/etc. My daughter, a very healthy 2 year old who nursed until 21 months, started taking a cup of water around 4 months. My son, almost 5 months now, just started a few weeks ago. Obviously, moderation is key.

Submitted by AnneDC

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No the best is just with your own breastmilk o formula

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IS IT OK TO MIX CEREAL WITH WATER FOR A 4 1/2 MONTH OLD?

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