Should you still be fed water for breastfeeding, and should you be fed water for breast milk

Mixed feeding with formula and breast milk can be started as early as six months after the baby's birth. The vast majority of babies now eat milk powder, and milk contains calcium, potassium, phosphorus, chlorine and other components are about 3 times higher than breast milk, the baby's body can not fully absorb these elements, so you need to drink a certain amount of water to discharge excess elements from the body, in order to ensure the healthy development of the baby.

How often is appropriate for breastfeeding.

From the previous content, we know that exclusive breastfeeding does not need to be fed water, while mixed breastfeeding requires drinking water, so how long is it appropriate to drink water for breastfeeding? The most suitable time to drink water should be between breastfeedings, that is, when the mother feeds the baby after a while, she can give the baby some water, but it should be noted that the amount of water should not be too much, and it is good to be appropriate.

There are no absolutes in everything, and exclusively breastfed babies also need to be fed water in some special situations.

If your baby sweats a lot and has a dry mouth, you need to drink water. Or when the weather is hot, especially if the mother does not like to drink water, it is necessary to let the baby drink water properly. Because the weather is hot and the baby sweats a lot, you can feed the baby water between two meals, and how much to drink depends on the actual situation of the baby.

If the baby is constipated, it is necessary to properly replenish water, there are many reasons for constipation, but giving the baby water has the effect of lubricating the intestines, reducing the symptoms of constipation, and allowing the baby to defecate as soon as possible. If your baby is often constipated, drink plenty of water to prevent your baby from becoming constipated.

1. Does a breastfed baby need to drink water?

Generally speaking, babies under 3 months of age are not well consumed with too much or too little water, because their kidneys are not yet fully functional. If the baby has enough breast milk, the baby does not cry after feeding, and there is no need to feed water. If you notice that your baby is crying and his mouth is dry, he should be properly hydrated.

So when exactly should you give water to your baby?

Normally, the baby who eats pure breast milk does not need to be fed water at about six months, because 70% of the components in breast milk are water, and in the case of sufficient breast milk, it means that the baby's body is also full of water. But milk powder babies are different. Although milk powder feeding is made of milk powder and blisters, because the composition of milk powder is somewhat different from breast milk, and it is more hot, water should be given between every two feedings.

Babies who are exclusively breastfed also need to be fed water in some special circumstances.

Second, the special situation that needs to be fed water.

One is when the baby has a cold and fever.

Due to the weak constitution of children, they often have a small illness of cold and fever. Cold and fever often cause the baby to sweat a lot, sometimes manifested as diarrhea, so at this time the baby lacks more water, the water balance in the body is out of balance, and it is necessary to replenish enough water in time to avoid causing internal disorders in the body.

The second is to tell when the baby is constipated.

Baby constipation is common, and there are many reasons for constipation, but by giving your baby plenty of water, you can use water to lubricate the intestines and prevent constipation.

The third is when the weather is dry and hot.

In summer, whether it is milk powder feeding or breastfeeding, you need to replenish water, because the weather is hot, the baby sweats more, so you can feed the baby water between two meals, and the amount of water should be determined according to the actual situation of the baby. In addition to warm boiled water, when the baby can add complementary food, you can prepare some carrot water or pure vegetable water for the baby, so that vitamins can also be supplemented at the same time as replenishing water, but the vegetable water should be boiled and drunk, and it will deteriorate if it is placed for too long.

When feeding your baby water, be careful not to feed your baby honey-soaked water, and don't add sugar to the water. Although babies will love water every day, honey contains a toxic substance that babies can't digest. And this sweet water will not only not help the baby to replenish water, but may also affect the baby's diet.

Since breast milk is 80% water, drinking only breast milk can meet the baby's water needs. In addition, giving water to babies can squeeze part of their stomach capacity, inhibit their ability to suck, and reduce the amount of milk they actively suckle. Not only is this detrimental to the baby's growth, but it also causes a decrease in breast milk production.

However, when the baby is in a special period of water shortage, it is still necessary to feed the appropriate amount of water. For example, when the baby has a high fever, diarrhea and dehydration, or takes sulfonamide drugs, it is necessary to give some warm water to replace the loss of water in the body.

Every mother and baby has its particularity, if the baby loves to sweat, the home is very stuffy, the ventilation is not good, the mother herself does not like to drink water, it is necessary to consider the appropriate water for the spike to tease the baby.

In some places, it is customary to feed babies sugar water, which is actually wrong. Breast milk contains all six categories of nutrients that babies need up to 6 months, namely proteins, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals and water. These nutrients are good for the baby to digest and absorb, and their quality constantly changes as the baby's growth and needs increase.

Sugar water contains a certain amount of energy, which affects the baby's need for breast milk, which in turn causes a decrease in breast milk production. In addition, the digestion of sugar in the intestines to produce acid can also cause bloating and diarrhea, increasing the risk of indigestion and other diseases in infants.

Water is not required for breastfeeding until the breastfeeding is weaned, and water is required for feeding formula. Because the nutritional value of any milk powder cannot be compared with breast milk. Therefore, breastfeeding does not need to be fed with water, so pay attention to all mothers.

Exclusive breast milk can be left without water before six months, and water can be added appropriately after six months.

Exclusively breastfed babies generally do not need to be fed water within 6 months, and even if they want their children to drink water, they must do so in small amounts. Observe whether the child's mouth is dry, if there is a particularly dry heating in the north, it is not recommended to feed such a small baby with water.

Should I be fed water for breastfeeding?

Do breastfed babies still need to be fed? Star Awareness Project