Why Babies Should Not Drink Water?

Why Should Babies Not Drink Water?

  
Drinking water is essential for human survival. It prevents dehydration, regulates body temperature, balances body fluids, helps digest food, and excretes body wastes. That is why it is strange to learn that babies should not drink water in their first few months of life. Know the reasons behind this, when to safely introduce water to infants, and how much they need according to their age.

The World Health Organization recommends exclusively breastfeeding babies in their first few months of life. If not, formula milk can suffice. These milk are enough to supply infants' required nutrition and hydration during this early stage of life.

Why do babies not need water?

Infants' bodies are 75% water, unlike adults, who are only 60% water. This difference is why newborn babies do not need to drink even a drop of water. Their body is hydrous enough to add more liquid aside from breastmilk, or formula milk can cause health risks. Or worse, death when not corrected on time.

Giving water to babies can easily fill up their small tummies. Spoiling their appetite for breastmilk or formula milk. Making it difficult for infants to absorb essential nutrients that they need for healthy growth and development. This low absorption of nutrition can lead to weight loss and malnutrition. Causing long-lasting health problems to babies that they can carry into adulthood.

Some issues linked to infant malnutrition are weak immune systems, poor performance skills, learning problems, small stature, and premature death. It is important to note that infancy is the time when all the body organs are developing.

Hence, providing sufficient nutrition during this early stage of life is highly critical.
This is also the reason why doctors strictly advised not to water down breastmilk or formula milk. Adding even a small amount of water more than recommended can interfere with babies' ability to absorb sufficient nutrients for their bodies.

A dangerous condition in which there is too much water in the body. Aside from malnutrition, giving water to infants can cause water intoxication. Since babies' bodies have 75% water and small kidneys that are still developing, they are incapable of excreting water as fast as kids or adults do.

Diluting electrolytes such as sodium, chloride, and potassium. The excess water in the body will go into the bloodstream. Leading to an electrolyte imbalance which can cause irregular heart rate, vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, convulsions, or seizures.

If not corrected immediately, electrolyte imbalance can lead to hyponatremia.

This occurs when the body's sodium level reduces to 0.4 ounces per gallon. At this point, cells absorb the excess water in the body to help normalize sodium levels. Causing cells to swell up. The inflated cells will eventually reach the brain, causing pressure in the organ and increasing the risk of brain damage or death.
Symptoms of hyponatremia are drowsiness, puffy eyes, vomiting, seizures, pale urine, more than 8 diapers a day, and low body temperature. Seek medical help quickly if you notice these signs.

When is it safe to give water to babies?

The safest age to give drinking water to infants is at the time you start introducing solid foods. At around 6-month-old. By this age, your little one's body is developed and big enough to accommodate more liquids. But do not give many ounces of water right away. It would help if you introduced it gradually. At the same time, continuing to provide good amounts of breastmilk or formula milk to your child.

How much water do babies need?

At the age of 6 to 9 months, infants can drink 2 to 4 ounces of water a day. Then up to 8 ounces a day when they turn 9 to 12 months. When they are older, it is safe to allow them to quench their thirst anytime they want. Make sure they drink at least 8 ounces of water a day.
However, drinking water should not be forced on babies, especially when they turn 6 months old. Like solid foods, this substance is new to them. Allow them to get used to the taste and texture by offering a small amount of water multiple times a day. You can offer the liquids using a spoon at first to experience water before using a sippy bottle.

It's okay if your baby refuses to drink water even after trying it for weeks. Just continue to give until they accept it. Do not worry if they spill all the water that you put on their mouth. The offering of water at 6 to 12 months old is only a recommendation. It is not an absolute necessity for infants below 1-year-old. But it is so much better to prepare them for their next stage of life. The toddler stage is when they become more active and will need water to keep them hydrated.