Do you give water in hot weather?

[LottieB]

Hi, baby is 11 weeks and we're having a bit of a heat wave at the moment!!!  He has been feeding as normal but a couple of girlfriends have asked if I am offering water to him during the day.  It had never occurred to me.  Should I be doing this, if he seems hungry/thirsty I just offer him the breast (Which he always takes!).
Thanks for any advice, Love L

[Samuel's mum]

The official advice (La Leche League and lactation consultants worldwide) would be not to offer additional water to a baby exclusively breastfeeding (i.e pre-solids). That is when the often maligned foremilk actually gets a job! As long as you are not a clock-watching scheduling fanatic and do respond to his cues your baby will get everything he needs from your breastmilk. Supplementing with water can actually affect your supply adversely and potentially deprive him of other important constituents of breastmilk. If he needs to he will just take the foremilk. It is best to let breastmilk do its thing - it will adjust its balance according to his needs.
A mother who is formula feeding may need to offer water in addition to milk.

http://www.kellymom.com/nutrition/solids/baby-water.html

[LottieB]

Thanks for this, aren't breasts marvellous!!!!  I shall carry on with just the breast milk then....