The custom of offering water to babies is very widespread despite the fact that the World Health Organization and many other organizations point out that for a healthy baby the only food they will need during their first six months of life is exclusively breast milk . Do not give water to breastfed babies on demand.
I must emphasize that exclusive breastfeeding is exclusive, and does not imply that other milks, water or infusions of any kind are included. Nor the alleged infusions marketed to calm cramps or gases, nor the juices. Nothing but breast milk.
If we offer chest on demand and we allow the baby access to breastfeeding freely and without restrictions, day and night, their water needs will be perfectly met, especially if we attend to their signs and do not limit the shots to certain times established externally.
Breast milk is made up of 88% water and is enough for a baby's requirements, even when we talk about healthy newborns. Moreover, offering the baby water is potentially dangerous, it can reduce the nutritional contribution by replacing milk with water and it is a vehicle for infections no matter how much we give bottled or boiled water.
In cases of diarrhea or dehydration the doctor may indicate a supplement, but it is usually breast milk, with its nutritional, protective and digestive qualities the best option and it is not necessary to withdraw breastfeeding in those cases under any circumstances, rather increase the doses .
Even in infants older than six months, water should not replace breast milk and the liquid intake of vegetables and fruits should be sufficient as long as we continue breastfeeding exclusively.
Breast milk is the best option in all cases, except in those in which the medicine shows that it is contraindicated, that it is neither diarrhea nor infection. Do not offer water to breastfed babies Infants under six months.
