| If you are breastfeeding your baby you do not need to give them water.
The idea of giving babies water was introduced for formula fed babies. There have been cases where mothers, with the best intentions or unknowingly, have put too much of the powder in the bottle, for example by not scrapping the excess formula from the top of the spoon. This led to their babies becoming seriously ill. Therefore it was suggested as a blanket measure that babies should be given water to make sure that should any mothers put too much formula in the bottle, then it would be diluted by the extra water. This was then taken to mean for all babies, but it is not the case for breastfed babies. The milk that comes from you will quench their thirst and feed them at the same time.
With my three I have introduced a sippy cup at around ten months, just for them to play with and get used to drinking from. As far as I know, breastfed babies who are fed on demand, don't really need any additional water until they are about a year old.
I hope that helps.  |