Experts reveal why you should NEVER give water to your baby

Newborn baby

by Kayleigh Dray |
Updated on

Water can be very dangerous for young babies, experts have warned

When you have a newborn baby you're faced with a lot of fears; are they too hot or too cold, do they need winding, are they getting enough milk... the questions are endless.

Many parents may also be quick to ask whether their baby can drink water especially when the weather is hot. Although water may be one of the safest and healthiest drinks for adults and children to sip throughout the day, it’s a completely different story when it comes to young babies.

Experts have issued countless warnings to parents about this, reminding them time and time again that babies younger than six-months-old should NEVER be given water to drink.

Check out: A look inside Holly Willoughby and Daniel Baldwin's incredible London home

Gallery

Holly Willoughby house - SLIDER

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CREDIT: Instagram / hollywilloughby

Holly Willoughby and Dan Baldwin's home

Slide to see inside Holly and Dan Baldwin's house...

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Inside Holly Willoughby Dan Baldwin home

Wowza! We need a kichen counter like this in our house!

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Inside Holly Willoughby Dan Baldwin home

This picture pretty much sums up Mum Life

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Inside Holly Willoughby Dan Baldwin home

Holly Willoughby posing with her fire burning in the background is making us VERY jealous

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Inside Holly Willoughby Dan Baldwin home

Holly chilling in her bed

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Inside Holly Willoughby Dan Baldwin home

We're getting major Tinkerbell and the Lost Boys vibes from this pic

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Inside Holly Willoughby Dan Baldwin home

Even Holly's kitchen utensils are stylish

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Inside Holly Willoughby Dan Baldwin home

Holly's cat just chilling in a hat

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CREDIT: Instagram / hollywilloughby

Inside Holly Willoughby Dan Baldwin home

It looks like Holly and Dan are fans of grey furniture, hence the flooring and chair (and colour co-ordinated pet - this is Bluebell)

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CREDIT: Instagram / hollywilloughby

Inside Holly Willoughby Dan Baldwin home

Aww! Holly's other cat Teddy is looking VERY snug

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Inside Holly Willoughby Dan Baldwin home

We're surprised Holly's bedding looks so... normal?

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Inside Holly Willoughby Dan Baldwin home

It looks like Holly has patio doors in her house

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Inside Holly Willoughby Dan Baldwin home

We want personalised mugs

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Inside Holly Willoughby Dan Baldwin home

Holly's cats beds look better than ours!

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Inside Holly Willoughby Dan Baldwin home

It looks like Holly loves colourful kitchenware

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Inside Holly Willoughby Dan Baldwin home

And she's got a stove fit for cooking up a storm (which it looks like she enjoys!)

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CREDIT: Instagram / hollywilloughby

Inside Holly Willoughby Dan Baldwin home

Even Holly's dessert looks amazing

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Inside Holly Willoughby Dan Baldwin home

There's those grey accents again

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Inside Holly Willoughby Dan Baldwin home

Holly and Dan are heading out and their cup choice is err, child friendly...

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Inside Holly Willoughby Dan Baldwin home

Is this cat playing hide and seek?

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Inside Holly Willoughby Dan Baldwin home

We spot grey curtains in the background

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Inside Holly Willoughby Dan Baldwin home

We're a fan of the fake flowers (we reckon she saves a fortune on them)

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Inside Holly Willoughby Dan Baldwin home

Holly and Dan's garden looks pretty big

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Inside Holly Willoughby Dan Baldwin home

Sorry, but where are Holly's dishes?

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Inside Holly Willoughby Dan Baldwin home

Aww! The kids are just chilling at home

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Inside Holly Willoughby Dan Baldwin home

Here's a little Christmas tree decoration inspo

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Inside Holly Willoughby Dan Baldwin home

She's even got a rainbow bauble

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Inside Holly Willoughby Dan Baldwin home

Her rug looks snug (it's also grey if you haven't noticed)

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Inside Holly Willoughby Dan Baldwin home

It looks like Holly lets her pets on her furniture too

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Inside Holly Willoughby Dan Baldwin home

Aww! Family hugs in the morning are the BEST

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Inside Holly Willoughby Dan Baldwin home

As Holly said alongside the Instagram post, it pretty much sums up her life

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Inside Holly Willoughby Dan Baldwin home

Look what one of her little left her and Dan in their bed

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Inside Holly Willoughby Dan Baldwin home

So, who's photobombing who here?

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Inside Holly Willoughby Dan Baldwin home

Holly and her kids making slime... they're all pretty tidy to be fair

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Inside Holly Willoughby Dan Baldwin home

Even her garden looks incredible

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Inside Holly Willoughby Dan Baldwin home

Holly and Harry playing Chess... can they teach us?

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Inside Holly Willoughby Dan Baldwin home

In March 2021, Holly started a bit of gardening...

water to a baby
Experts have warned babies drinking water can be very dangerous

Dr Alan Greene explained to The New York Times: "During the months before starting solid foods, the amount of water already present in breast milk or formula usually provides all of the water that healthy babies need both to grow and to replace the water they normally lose through their urine, stool, skin and lungs."

Not only will water fill baby up without adding extra calories, leading to weight loss (or insufficient weight gain), it can also lead to a serious and potentially life-threatening condition called oral water intoxication.

What is water intoxication?

Parents with newborn baby
(Credit: Alamy)

Water intoxication is a condition in which the electrolytes (such as sodium) in a baby’s bloodstream become diluted.

This can inhibit normal bodily functions, leading to dangerous problems such as low body temperature (generally 97 degrees or less), brain swelling, unresponsiveness, and seizures.

Other symptoms include irritability, puffiness or swelling in the face, and seizures.

If you think that your child may have water intoxication, or if they suffer a seizure, you should seek medical attention immediately.

What causes water intoxication?

Parents with newborn baby
Experts have explained why it's unsafe for babies to drink water

Quite simply, too much water.

Dr Alan Greene explains: "The risk of water intoxication is especially high if the baby is losing both water and electrolytes from diarrhoea. Fluid losses should be replaced with breast milk, formula or perhaps a rehydration solution. Don’t give plain water for rehydration.

"The risk is also high if formula is diluted with too much water in a misguided effort to save a little money."

What about hot weather?

Parents with newborn baby
Even during hot weather your baby will only need milk (Credit: Getty Images) ©Getty Images

Breastfed babies will not require additional water even when it is very hot outside, as long as baby is allowed to nurse as needed; your baby can get all the liquids needed via breast milk.

Formula fed babies won't need extra water either, although you may offer them an extra small bottle of formula if they seem thirsty between feeds.

What if my baby is dehydrated?

Babies should urinate at least once in the first 24 hours of their life, at least twice in the second 24 hours, and at least three times every day thereafter.

If you are concerned that your baby is dehydrated, contact your doctor.

When can I start feeding water to my baby?

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Experts have advised when they think it's best for babies to drink water

Most experts suggest that you wait until you’ve started feeding solids to your baby, when they're between four and six months old.

At that point, you can talk with your doctor about how much H2O to serve up to your little one - although many advise that formula or breast milk are still the best options.

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Dr Alan Greene says: "If a baby still seems thirsty between feedings and doesn’t want to nurse more, or is already getting 32 ounces of formula a day, water is the very best additional beverage.

"If this is the case, offer 2 to 4 ounces of water between feedings, especially in hot weather."

When your child turns one-years-old, they can start sipping water more regularly.

REMEMBER: Water is an excellent choice for children over the age of one-years-old - and definitely preferable to sugary drinks and juices.

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