water

[Skadiver13]

So the Ped today said to start giving my LO solids and water. He's 4.5 months old. Thats a bit early but he does seem hungry after eating formula but cant seem to drink more. But for water how do you give it to a baby at this age? He cant hold a sippy cup on his own?
 

[amayzie]

At this age you could give it in a bottle if you are concerned about his intake. It might be easier to do this rather than to fuss around with a sippy cup. If the Dr is more just interested in you weaning him rather than fluid intake as such then you could offer him a sippy cup just to play with and he can suck it if he likes or not- just the experience.

[Skadiver13]

No he doesn't want me to wean at. All he just suggested starting to give some water I think to go along with giving solids. How do i give it in a bottle? He's on size 2 dr. Brown nipples and the water just flies out of it?

[amayzie]

If he was just meaning to go along with the solids- i wouldn't bother using the bottle, but just give her the sippy to play and experiment with. Take out the valve from the sippy if there is one so that she can pour it. Babies are pretty good at regulating their fluid needs, so she may not drink more water if she's getting enough from the formula.

You could also offer it in the bottle you have- is she on thickened formula? does it move slower through the teat?

[Lolly]

How much is he taking in a bottle feed now?

I would be very wary of starting solids this early with a refluxer - it can make things a whole lot worse, especially things like rice cereal which are hard to digest.

Laura

[Skadiver13]

No, he wont take his formula thickened we've tried pretty much everything and he'll reject anything.

[Skadiver13]

He's getting only a teaspoon or 2 of oatmeal. he takes anywhere from 21-25oz a day.