For many new parents out there, having your first child means lavishing him or her with all the best things you can afford, whatever that may be. Clothing, toys, food, you want your child to have the best, and nothing else. Which is probably why some parents are willing to splurge hundreds on baby formula.
But some parents, worried that their children getting enough sustenance, have been known to try and feed their infants with more than just baby formula or breast milk. In fact, it is apparently common to hear family members unknowingly feed infants under the age of six-months with other liquid foods or water.
As it turns out, you should never feed your infant under the age of six-months anything else but breast milk and baby formula. According to Dr Ahmad Luqman Bukhari from Hospital Tuanku Ja’afar Seremban, the reason why you should never feed infants under six months water is because:
- Babies under six months do not have a mature renal system to process an excess of fluids.
- A habit of drinking other fluids may lead to your baby’s refusal to drink baby formula or breast milk.
- Water contains no calories to help fill up your baby’s stomach.
He goes on to explain that this is why some infants exhibit symptoms such as vomiting, drowsiness, excessive perspiration or excessive urination. It may also lead to a sudden drop in body temperature in infants.
In fact, Dr Ahmad mentions that in some severe cases, feeding water to young infants too often have also led to instances of water poisoning! These claims are further corroborated with a World Health Organisation report, which states that feeding infants under six months water may cause them to be less likely to consume breast milk and cause malnutrition.
With that in mind, make sure you avoid feeding your baby any water until they’re past the six-month mark! You can never be too careful!
Also read: Newborn Babies At This Hospital Given Adorable Mini Face-Shields To Protect Them From Covid-19
