water for formula feeders?

[Lara's Mum]

do u give ur babies water to drink because they are bottle fed??? just wondering???

[mattandcindy]

I never did and my lo seemed fine. I know moms who start giving water through a sippy cup at 6 months. But they don't NEED the water, the formula gives them all they need for hydration.

[Mariek]

Hi

The only ever gave my DD water in a bottle if she was ill (and had vomited up a feed) or it was particularly hot and when I was trying to wean her off the dreamfeed.

love

[Mom2katiebug]

I don't give my 10WO DD extra water.  She's such a difficult eater that I know she would skip feeds and I really want her to take in the calories.  Although, I may change my mind because we've been fighting constipation for so long (feel like we've tried everything) and I think some extra water might help her system.

[woopster]

I too am fighting constipation, (not me personally!) and I have found that an ounce of warm freshly boiled water first thing in the morning helps.

[GabrielleD]

I don't give water to DS in addition to the formula feeds, either.

[Shdef]

I give my son 1-2oz of fennel-aniseed-caraway tea before every feed because otherwise he would drink 10 or 11 oz each feed which is too much for him. He was never constipated and the poo looks the way it should. He is gaining loads of weight, very content and sleeps 9 hours through at night. He is 3,5 months old now...

He doesn't like drinking water, every time I try giving him it, he doesn't breathe when he drinks and gulps in a realy strange way and then gags

My midwife said that tea or water is essential for bottlefed babies because otherwise they get constipated. If they don't like water, just add the 1oz of water additional to the feed so that the milk is a bit thinner. I don't think you should do that with underweight babies though but it works great for constipation.

[Stacie:Emma&Josh Mom]

I never gave my dd water when she was on formula and she was rarely constipated.  Granted, obviously, it depends on the baby.  They get lots of water from the formula mixture so no need to worry about adding extra water unless you are having issues with constipation and then if they're severe enough, you might want to try a different formula.  Good luck!

[minmin]

I give my son some extra water..it's really help ..

[Kimberly®]

I give my son 1-2oz of fennel-aniseed-caraway tea before every feed because otherwise he would drink 10 or 11 oz each feed which is too much for him. He was never constipated and the poo looks the way it should. He is gaining loads of weight, very content and sleeps 9 hours through at night. He is 3,5 months old now...

He doesn't like drinking water, every time I try giving him it, he doesn't breathe when he drinks and gulps in a realy strange way and then gags

My midwife said that tea or water is essential for bottlefed babies because otherwise they get constipated. If they don't like water, just add the 1oz of water additional to the feed so that the milk is a bit thinner. I don't think you should do that with underweight babies though but it works great for constipation.

I'm not sure why your midwife would tell you that bottlefed babies need water, because they don't. Unless they are sick and are dehidrated, or its extreamly hot, its not recomended that you give your LO water. If the formula is mixed properly they get all the water they need.
That said if your LO is constipated severly you can add a little extra water to your LO's bottle (ex a ratio of 1-4) Not all bottlefed babies get constipated. It often depends on the type of formula, like if its powdered or concentrate, or even the brand sometimes. Babies with Soy formula are more likely to be constipated then babies on cow milk based formula's. Also its sometimes is because of the level of Iron in the formula. When you talk to your DR talk to them about the iron levels your LO is getting. Some formula's have more iron then others. Some babies need formula unfortified with Iron. As for tea abies tummies and digestive tracks are not mature enough to have tea's they can cause more problems then they solve. If you have to give them any thing plain water is the best, after 4 months fruit juices can also be given, either apple of Prun. But ALWAYS talk to your DR before giving your LO anything.

HTH

[EmMUK74]

I never give anything but the bottle unless she is sick and dehydrated, it works for us