The mother's milk preferably, and only formula milk, provides all the energy and nutrients that a baby needs to feed properly during the first six months of life, so they do not need any other liquid: no teas, no teas, no juices, not even water.
Sometimes they are given infusions that are sold to relieve colic or help them sleep better, however these preparations not only do not work, but can be harmful in young children, as well as juices. It is also not recommended to give them extra water, since all they need is provided by the mother's milk or the formula bottle.
Exclusive and on demand breastfeeding
Breast milk contains more than 80 percent water, especially the first milk the baby takes. By breastfeeding, the mother provides her baby with all the water she needs to stay hydrated, so even in hot weather it is not necessary to give her extra water.
Additionally, giving it water can cause the baby to drink less breast milk, and when less milk the baby drinks, the less the mother will produce, causing the milk production to decrease and causing it to end up abandoning breastfeeding.
In Babies and more Infusions can be dangerous for babies (I)According to the WHO, at the same time it is avoided to give him unsafe water that could be non-potable (in developing countries) and cause infections or a picture of diarrhea in the baby. Therefore, it recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months and complementing it with other foods for at least two years.
"Exclusive breastfeeding It means that the child receives only breast milk (including extracted or nurse's milk) during the first six months of life, and no other food or drink, not even water, except for oral rehydration salts, drops and syrups (vitamins, minerals and medications) ".
In this way, giving exclusive breastfeeding and offered on demand, that is, without schedules, when the baby asks for it, and offering the breast more frequently if it is very hot is enough as a source of hydration. Babies do not need any external source of water, because everyone they need receives it from breast milk.
What if you drink artificial milk?
If you do not breastfeed your baby and feed with formula milk, the recommendation is the same. No extra water or any other liquid during the first six months of life. The water they need is already received from the mixture of water and dust we make when preparing the bottle.
It is also very important to offer the bottle on demand, as is breastfeeding.
It would not make sense to supplant the milk that provides nutrients for water, without any nutritional value. If we give a bottle (or half a bottle with water) the stomach will be filled with water, and then drink less milk. If this practice is repeated, over time, there may be a risk of malnutrition.
No juices
Nor do they still need to experience new flavors through juices (even if they are from natural fruits), which could be harmful.
Pediatricians recommend that babies should not drink juices, among other things because during the first six months "they are at risk of losing protein, essential fats and nutrients, such as calcium, iron and zinc that milk provides them and need to grow, therefore, not only is juice not useful, but it can be harmful. "
No juices during exclusive breastfeeding, much less packaged juices, which contain high amounts of sugar, and are not recommended for children of any age.
Infusions can be dangerous
Traditionally, natural remedies in the form of herbal or herbal infusions, for example chamomile or anise, are usually recommended to relieve certain discomforts in babies, such as infant colic, irritability or to promote sleep.
However, not only there is no scientific evidence that they work, but these infusions can be dangerous, among other things because we do not know the active ingredients they contain and the concentration of the preparation, which can cause adverse effects, such as poisonings, reactions or allergies. Natural does not mean harmless.
The unwanted effects are the same as those mentioned before. They have no nutritional value and cause the baby to "fill up" with a advised liquid instead of drinking milk, which nourishes him. In addition to the high sugar content in infusions marketed in pharmacies, more than eighty percent in the form of sucrose or dextrose.
In Babies and more When to start offering water to babies and how much?And after six months?
After six months, the baby will start with complementary feeding, which as the name indicates "complements" breastfeeding. That is, milk will remain its main food, but it will begin to taste solid foods.
When the complementary feeding is introduced you can start offering water to the baby to take whenever he wants, without forcing him. Milk, either maternal or artificial (or mixed breastfeeding), will continue to be your main food that will continue to provide you with mostly the water you need.
Many children hardly drink water, and there is no need to worry, since milk and other water-rich foods are their source of hydration. As for infusions, they are not recommended for babies of any age, nor are juices. If you are going to give it fruit, it is better that the piece is pureed, cut into pieces or compote, and the best packaged, always avoid them because of its high sugar content.
