ISLAMABAD: Child specialists on Wednesday said that exclusively breastfed babies do not require additional water even when it is very hot outside, as long as baby is allowed to nurse as needed.
The first 6 months of age , even in hot season, water and juice are unnecessary for breastfed infants and may introduce contaminants or allergens, a child Specialist Dr Shahid Hussain talking to private news channel said.
Formula fed babies also do not routinely need extra water , he added
He further explained water supplements are associated with increased bilirubin levels (jaundice), excess weight loss, and longer hospital stays for newborns.Too much water can lead to a serious condition called oral water intoxication.
Child specialist said water supplements fill baby up without adding calories, so water supplements can result in weight loss (or insufficient weight gain) for the baby.
Babies who get water supplements are less interested in nursing. If baby is not nursing as often as he should, it will take longer for mom's milk to come in and can delay or prevent mom from establishing an optimum milk supply, he highlighted.
Another child specialist Danish Mehmood said when your 4-6 month old baby is learning to use a cup, giving him a few sips of water a couple of times a day (no more than 2 ounces per 24 hours) is fine and fun.
Once baby starts solids, you might want to give him a few sips of
expressed milk or water with his solids some babies need this to prevent constipation.
Specialist said unclean environment and impure drinking water are the
main reasons behind the increasing number of children falling sick in summer season.
Drinking enough water is essential for the human body to function, but drinking too much can be just as dangerous as drinking too little, said, adding,
drinking large amounts of water, particularly at the end of the day, can disrupt sleep, too.
When we fall asleep, our brains release ADH, anti-diuretic hormone, to slow down kidney function and stop us feeling the need to urinate during the night,' they said.
Doctors also advise caution, especially now that the weather is changing. Hygiene must be taken care of and children should be given boiled water.
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