When to introduce water?

[canadabear]

Hello everyone! :wave:

Well, Matty is now 4.5months old and is VERY interested in watching us eat. We haven't introduced any food, as the doctor recommends 6 months. Though we may start BLW a bit earlier as he shows more interest.

OH and I are wondering when to start introducing water? Currently we are completely BF, no bottles. We would rather not like to try and introduce a bottle and instead are planning on using a cup. We are just unsure as to when would be best.

Summers in Spain are very hot, and I am worried that without water he could become dehydrated.

 

[MrsWatson]

It won't harm to start offering some - just make sure it's cooled boiled water until he is 6 months

 

[Loui1001]

I started offering my LO cooled boiled water in a cup at 5 months, he loves it now and holds his cup himself to drink it

 

[mum22ttc#3]

We started offering LO water at 24 weeks, the same time that we started weaning.

 

[canadabear]

thanks so much for the replies. I think we will wait until next month, and then introduce a bit of water.. didn't even think about it needing to be boiled cooled water..

 

[MrsH86]

Our babies are almost the same age and we tried Freya with a sippy cup last week. We put about half an oz of cooled boiled water in and gave it to her just for her to get used to it. We didn't expect she'd figure it out and actually begin drinking from it but after a very funny look on her face the first time cool water came out she now seems to enjoy it. I'm sure half of it ends up all down her but even just getting used to the action of the cup is a good thing to try x

 

[Mrs-G]

As soon as you introduce food you must offer water to avoid constipation, until then all they need is breast milk, your body produces different milk according to the temperature, if it's hot your milk adapts and becomes more watery so your baby doesn't become dehydrated.

 

[sam*~*louize]

Both mine were on water quite early, eldest was born apr and was hot by few weeks in, and youngest was constipated so told to give her. Might only be a suck here and there but wets their mouth! And both started on sippy beaker by 3.5 months.