Do i have to introduce water even thouh im still breastfeeding?

[Bernie]

Hi everyone.

Been a long time since ive been on here hope everyone is doing well.Im just after some advice on some advice i was giving yesturday from my health vistor and a practise nurse.Well my daughter is now 21 weeks tommorrow and has got a taste for solids only just though.I still want to keep BFing but was advised to offer her some water with her solids.I did that this morning in her Tomme Tippi cup after she had a little breakfast but is it the right thing to do as im BFing? I thought BFing was a drink aswell as food?I had been BFing straight after giving her solids.I dont want to stop BFing but i know when shes eating breakfast,lunch and dinner she will want me less anyway.Am i right to offer her water when she is eating solids?At the moment she is having a little breakfast and having a little boiled mashed up veg before bed then i take her up to bed and BF on the bed then put her down for a sleep.Now confused on what to do?

 

[Mervs Mum]

I offered boobie after solids right up until today - she's 7 months now - when I offer a few sips of water. BM is a drink too you are absolutely right.

 

[Bernie]

So i dont have to offer water after solids then? Im worried she might start getting constipated now she is starting to eat solids or will BFing prevent that?It often vairies when she opens her bowels anyway.I think thats why i was advised to offer her some water to help with her bowel movements.

 

[Mervs Mum]

I would just see how it goes personally. How old is she in months?? I went by my LOd poos - if they were still soft I was happy. If they were getting a bit firm I prefered to use fruit puree to help.

 

[Bernie]

She is just over 5 months old.Sometimes she only goes for a poo twice a week but i have been reasurred by our breastfeeding team that was fine as there is not much waste in breast milk.But now she is on solids i dont know how her stools will be.Last time she opened her bowels they were soft so im guessing all is well.

 

[Mervs Mum]

Sounds perfect. My LO was the same. Just wait till she starts pooing once the solids are in her system...jeeeezzz....she put my hubby to shame. Trust your instincts. If she starts straining to poo then maybe fruit or a little water. BM should still be her main food so she'll get drink there too

 

[mommyof3co]

No you don't have to do water, I chose to offer it only in a sippy just so he would learn to drink from a sippy, but he rarely drank anything at all from it, but he became familiar with it and was able to go onto it with his rice milk we started a few months after he turned 1 with no problems.

 

[Bernie]

Thanks for your advice.Shes been for a poo twice today already which is unlike her.Her stools have thickened up but are fine though so im happy.

 

[Mervs Mum]

Just play it by ear