can infants drink water?

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:idea: I am working on my newborn care plan, but this question is not r/t my assignment, I just thought about this while working on my paper.

My question is: Do infants need to drink H2O? I know that we don't give them H2O in the hospital, but when do they need to start drinking H2O? I've heard that if they are given water they won't ingest as many bottles and thus not get as many calories. I've also heard that if you don't give babies H2O they will get dehydrated. Either one makes sense to me. Does anyone know for sure what the answer to this question is? I have a feeling that it's going to be r/t the infant's renal function and hormonal development. :idea:

Thanks to all who took the time to read my post. I also have a question about this newborn careplan and NDx prioritization listed as a separate post entitled "preemie careplan help" or something like that, if someone has not had a chance to read the post.

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Specializes in Cardio-Pulmonary; Med-Surg; Private Duty.

What age? That's the biggest thing towards determining if water is appropriate.

Typically, a child under 1yo doesn't need supplemental liquid, and in fact getting too much water can kill a baby. Google "water intoxication" and you'll find lots of info.

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Specializes in Nursing Education.

Agreed. In a normal infant, they get all the fluids they need from breastmilk or formula (which both have a very high concentration of water in them, after all). And it does have a lot to do with the calorie issue.

Once the baby starts eating solids, then it's a good idea to start offering a little water everyday. This is also around the time that they start slowly reducing their intake of breastmilk and formula, though. It gets them used to drinking water, and also helps prevent constipation.

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I used to give my baby water starting younger than 1 year but only when he was constipated or when it was very hot outside. He is a great water drinker now, in fact, he prefers that over everything else but I'm not sure if it's because I started him really young or just because it's his preference. I don't know the evidence-based findings about this though. Good luck!

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I am not a nurse-yet :), but I have a 4 year old and a 1 year old. My pedi advised to offer a sippy cup when they are introduced to cereal (with a spoon-NOT in a bottle!). Her explanation was that 1. getting them used to drinking from cup, not breast/bottle 2. they are beginning to decrease breastmilk/formula consumption, thus needing water 3. it helps to wash down the cereal/aid in digestion.

Like I said, I'm not yet a nurse, but this was my personal experience with two babies of my own!:twocents:

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Specializes in PeriOperative.

Infants should not be given water. Even watered-down breastmilk or formula can cause massive electrolyte imbalances and has resulted in death.

Babies can start drinking small amounts of water when they are eating solids. Recommendations vary from 6-12months. Anything before that should only be given with a pediatrician's close supervision.

Babies with gastroenteritis or fevers who are very dehydrated/cannot tolerate milk need electrolytic rehydrating solutions. An oral option is PediaLyte.

Just to reiterate, water can be very dangerous for infants, even in small quantities.

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:idea: I am working on my newborn care plan, but this question is not r/t my assignment, I just thought about this while working on my paper.

My question is: Do infants need to drink H2O? I know that we don't give them H2O in the hospital, but when do they need to start drinking H2O? I've heard that if they are given water they won't ingest as many bottles and thus not get as many calories. I've also heard that if you don't give babies H2O they will get dehydrated. Either one makes sense to me. Does anyone know for sure what the answer to this question is? I have a feeling that it's going to be r/t the infant's renal function and hormonal development. :idea:

Thanks to all who took the time to read my post. I also have a question about this newborn careplan and NDx prioritization listed as a separate post entitled "preemie careplan help" or something like that, if someone has not had a chance to read the post.

Infants don't need just plain H20 when that age. I know that water is too thin at that time and they can choke if they are little enough. Breast milk or formula should be just fine for a baby up until they are a year old, but I started giving my kids half juice half baby water when they could hold they're own bottle. I was always worried about them having just water and peanut butter. I don't think anyone wanted to be around me when my kids were so little. I know that when my daughter was first born she was cranky and they gave her sugar water. I was upset because they didn't ask me permission. It was probably just hormones but I was young and still upset me. Just thought i would include that!!! ;)

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I agree mostly with everyone else. Breastmilk (and formula) contains all the hydration a baby needs. My 2nd child didn't figure out how to use a sippy until she was 11 months old, lol....so until that time she only got boob juice. Giving a lot of other fluids can cause fluid overload.

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