When to start offering water to the baby

During the first months after birth, babies only need to feed themselves with milk. The best and most natural option is breast milk, which contains the appropriate amount of all macro and micronutrients, the ideal ratio of proteins, fats, sugars, minerals and vitamins for optimal development of the

During the first months after birth, babies only need to feed themselves with milk. The best and most natural option is breast milk, which contains the appropriate amount of all macro and micronutrients, the ideal ratio of proteins, fats, sugars, minerals and vitamins for optimal development of the baby.

But, when can we start offering water to the baby?Can we give you water even if the baby is breastfeeding?

When to offer water to the baby

To this day, science has not yet been able to imitate breast milk, although, if you decide not to breastfeed formula made from cow's milk, it is the most appropriate. There are other artificial milks such as those made from soy, which can be chosen, for example, when you decide to follow a vegetarian diet.

Breast milk al, when changing composition and water / fat ratio from the beginning of the intake until the end, -being up to five times more rich in lipids at the end -contains enough water to satisfy the baby's thirst , so it protects you against dehydration. Even in the hottest places and days, it is not necessary to offer water when it is fed with exclusive breastfeeding, it is enough to breastfeed more often and the baby will get all the water he needs.As for formula, it is not usually necessary to offer water to the baby until the start of complementary feeding

, although on very hot days, and when the baby is older than 16-18 weeks, small amounts may be offered. , as long as it does not compromise your diet.When starting supplementary feeding at

6 months of age , if breastfeeding is continued on demand, it is very likely that you have no interest in drinking water, butit is best to start offering water to the baby to become familiar with sheIn the case of artificial feeding, it is more important that the baby drinks water than with breastfeeding, although the child should not be forced to drink n. Artificial milk always contains the same amount of water, and no more water should be added with the intention of hydrating the child, always respecting the composition recommended by the manufacturer. Preferably, the water should be offered in a different format from that offered by the milk, to avoid confusion and that the baby knows that it is not food.

The intake of water increases its importance when the child begins to completely abandon breastfeeding-generally when approaching 2 years of age-, so, although it should not be forced to drink, it should always be offered, both during and between the meals, so that the child gets used to it and has access to it constantly.Children are not aware of thirst with anticipation as adults do, sino but, when they realize it, the need for water in their body is imminent, as they are close to dehydration, hence the importance of having it always at hand.