Water?

[Noodlebear]

Hi ladies, I've just stopped expressing so my son is just on formula. I know that general guidelines are that babies should have roughly 2/2.5 X their weight in lb in fluid oz of formula but he seems to want much more than that and also seems to be a bit constipated at the moment so I was wondering if I need to start giving him water between feeds?

Not sure if I'm going to end up over-feeding him because he just needs a bit of water or if by doing that I'll be denying him food he wants? :/ x

 

[skunkpixie]

Generally formula fed babies do not need water unless it is a very hot day or they are constipated. If your lo is constipated then offer 1oz of water twice a day. This will be plenty and if you lo is still constipated after a few days then speak to your HV about other options to help him go. xx

 

[skunkpixie]

ps. dont worry if your baby wants more than the approximate amount of formula for his weight. Just feed him what he wants, when he wants. xxx

 

[Ktothema]

Our midwife told us to offer water to lo as ffed babies can get constipated, but I never liked the idea of doing this with dd so don't think I will with ds unless he got really bad. I do add a tiny bit of extra water in the bottle though - this is not recommended at all (but only a really tiny amount, less than 5ml in a 4oz + bottle)

Oh yeah, and ignore the recommendations. Though I found the 2oz per pound thing a good minimum for dd to stop worrying. She was fine having just this. Ds though is already drinking well more than this. Some babies have better appetites than others.

 

[Noodlebear]

Thank you for your help probably silly questions I know lol! Will try giving him small amounts of water for a few days and see if his tummy's better xx

 

[youngwife20]

hi hun , i expressed for 6 months and when my daughter switched she was not drinking the recoomended amount. the amount of formula to the amount of breastmilk isnt the same as breastmilk is digested differently. so youl have to just follow your babys needs at 9 weeks old dont give him water a every feed! he will never get enough of what he really needs in his milk, the change to formula can cause a change in his bowels but it regulates after a while. only give water on hot days and when you start on solids xx

 

[Noodlebear]

It hasn't been an instant switch from breast milk to formula, he was combi fed while I was introducing formula as I stopped producing enough BM for him so I know it's not just the formula disagreeing with him. I'd never give him water after every feed, I know all about water intoxication etc, was just worried that I was going to be overfeeding him as I'm new to this. I'm going to continue to feed him on demand and give him small amounts of water if I think he needs it. This morning I've given him just under an oz and will play it by ear as to whether or not I give him another later on or not xx

 

[youngwife20]

It hasn't been an instant switch from breast milk to formula, he was combi fed while I was introducing formula as I stopped producing enough BM for him so I know it's not just the formula disagreeing with him. I'd never give him water after every feed, I know all about water intoxication etc, was just worried that I was going to be overfeeding him as I'm new to this. I'm going to continue to feed him on demand and give him small amounts of water if I think he needs it. This morning I've given him just under an oz and will play it by ear as to whether or not I give him another later on or not xx

ok how many oz in total would you say you would give him per day? x