Can't get my baby to drink water?

Formula is made with water, it is mostly water. I do not think she will get dehydrated without that additional four ounces of water. Please do not worry about this. Was there an indication of dehydration? That is the only reason I can think that your health visitor would recommend it. If that is the case, just add an extra ounce of water into each formula bottle four times a day...there you go, four ounces of water. If there is no indication of dehydration, don't worry about it.

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How old is your baby?? You don't need to give your baby water until at least 6 months and then only when it is very very hot outside... In fact, it's actually not good for them... This is from Kellymom.com:

Formula fed babies do not routinely need extra water. Some sources do suggest offering water to a formula fed baby when it is very hot outside (though baby may prefer to get extra water from more frequent feeding), or when baby is sick with a fever (consult baby's doctor for guidelines).

For newborns (especially under 4-5 weeks), water supplements can be risky

Babies under two months should not be given supplemental water.

Water supplements are associated with increased bilirubin levels in jaundiced newborns.

Too much water can lead to a serious condition called oral water intoxication.

Water supplements fill baby up without adding calories, so water supplements can result in weight loss (or insufficient weight gain) for the baby.

Even bottlefed babies do not need water. Giving water to a baby will only make them take less formula which they DO nned.

"Q: My friend said I shouldn't give my 2-month-old daughter bottles of water. Don't babies need water?

A: Your friend is right. According to CNRC pediatrician Dr. William Heird, healthy babies do not need, nor should they be given, bottles of water or any other liquid except breast milk or iron-fortified infant formula during the first year of life. The reason is that a baby's stomach is quite small and if she 'fills up' on water she might not drink enough formula or breast milk to get all the nutrition she needs to stay healthy and grow. So don't worry, as long as your daughter is feeding well, she is getting all the "water" or "liquid" she needs from the breast milk or iron-fortified infant formula she's consuming.

The exception to this "rule" is when a baby is sick and losing water from his or her body through excessive sweating or diarrhea. However, a sick baby should ALWAYS be seen by a doctor who will make suggestions to ensure that the baby recovers and does not become dehydrated during the illness. Of course, well babies need to see their doctor on a regular basis, too.

The following article from the CNRC website is a good guideline for feeding a baby during the first year of life: http://www.kidsnutrition.org/consumer/archives/fir... "

http://www.kidsnutrition.org/consumer/nyc/vol1_200...

LOL..both of my children as babies were formula fed and that is the most weird thing I have ever heard for formula fed babies. If you really believe that then try adding a little bit of juice to give it some flavor for your baby. My children never drank water alone as babies. As children now they do on occasion but they don't drink just plain water. They don't like it.

Your baby does not need water. Your midwife is incorrect. Please get a second opinion by calling a pediatrician. Babies do not need water until after 6 months. The formula is water based and is plenty of water for a baby. It can actually be some what dangerous for babies to drink water. Please contact a pediatrician and he will explain better. Good Luck!

When our daughter started eating solids, we started giving her small amounts of water to drink (though I think she was about 6 months old at the time)... We have never put water in a bottle - we've always used a cup with water in it - I think the novelty of the cup made her interested enough to try the water. Now, she loves it!

I breastfeed both my children and was never told to bottle feed them water. I think they only need water if she is dehydrated.

Maybe midwifes have different options, I would ask at the doctors/baby clinic/health visitor.

Have you tried adding a little bit of baby juice?

My son is 10months now and will not drink water or Juice and he is fine

She doesn't need water - think about she gets formula - so if you give her a 6 ounce bottle - she is all ready getting 6 ounces of water. Babies do not need water and it is empty calories - not good for them. She needs nothing but formula until she is 6 months old and then she will start solid foods.

my son is bottle fed and i was told that water can be harmful if too much is consumed, so i don't give it to him at all. he's 7 months now and he eats mainly baby food but he never needed water.