Giving water to a breastfed baby: is it necessary?

Contents

01
What are the recommendations for breastfeeding?
02
Why does an exclusively breastfed baby not need water, even in hot weather?
03
What are the risks of giving water to an exclusively breastfed baby?
04
What is the composition of breast milk?
05
Our practical tips for hot weather
06
Key takeaways

Does an exclusively breastfed baby need water in summer?

Should you offer water to a breastfed baby during a heatwave? How many wet nappies should a baby have?

On fait le point dans cet article sur la gestion de l'allaitement au quotidien en été.

Take care mama

Votre lait, en plus d’être nourrissant, contient surtout 88% d’eau. C’est la boisson idéale pour hydrater un bébé allaité, il n’a pas besoin d’eau en plus.

What are the recommendations for breastfeeding?

The WHO recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months of life. Your breast milk provides all the energy and nutrients your baby needs.

Although the practice of giving water during the first 6 months is still very widespread, doing so is counterproductive and harmful to your breastfeeding journey.

After 6 months, if your baby has started weaning, you can offer water at mealtimes in a cup. They will drink according to their thirst. If you are still breastfeeding, don't hesitate to continue offering the breast often!

Why this product?

A la recherche d'un coup de pouce pour stimuler votre production de lait ? Notre tisane est une délicieuse infusion pensée comme une respiration à la pomme et au carvi. Elle se consomme aussi bien chaude que froide, en été comme en hiver ! A accompagner de nossnacks allaitementpour faire le plein de nutriments et booster sa lactation.

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Why does an exclusively breastfed baby not need water, even in hot weather?

A baby, even a very young one, who is exclusively breastfed on demand (day and night) does not need to receive water supplements, even in hot weather or in a warm climate.

Studies on exclusively breastfed infants in hot countries, with high temperatures and very low humidity, show that their urine density remains within normal ranges, which indicates adequate water intake.

Furthermore, a 10% reduction in caloric intake has been observed in exclusively breastfed babies who are given water supplements.

Did you know?

Donner de l’eau à un bébé allaité peut même comporter des risques. S’il boit de l’eau en plus, il va moins prendre de lait maternel, ce qui va réduire son apport calorique et il risque de perdre du poids.

What are the risks of giving water to an exclusively breastfed baby?

Water supplementation increases the risk of weight loss

Water supplementation increases the risk of diarrhoea

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What is the composition of breast milk?

Breast milk is made up of nearly 88% water, and adapts in real time to your baby's needs.

A exclusively breastfed baby will generally have shorter and more frequent feeds in hot weather.

Your baby will have everything they need by being breastfed on demand, without restriction (day and night).

At birth, even though your baby receives little water through colostrum (which is very rich in proteins and antibodies), they do not need a water supplement.

Furthermore, breast milk has a low solute content (sodium, potassium…). One of the functions of the kidneys is to eliminate excess solutes. As breast milk is low in solutes, exclusively breastfed babies do not need as much water as older children or adults.

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Our practical tips for hot weather

Tétées toujours à la demande, en étant proactif

Let's discover it

How many nappies should baby wet?

If you are travelling with your baby

Il est recommandé à la maman allaitante de bien s'hydrater et de boire beaucoup d'eau. Si vous avez du mal à boire de l'eau régulièrement, vous pouvez essayer les eaux infusées ou consommez une tisane allaitement pour vous aider à augmenter vos apports en eau.

Key takeaways

Un bébé exclusivement allaité jusqu’à 6 mois n’a absolument pas besoin d’être complété en eau. En ces temps de forte chaleur, on se met en mode open bar, et on propose souvent le sein à son bébé !

Et on en profite pour bien s’hydrater nous aussi. Au besoin, vous pouvez prendre des compléments alimentaires allaitement riches en électrolytes pour soutenir une hydratation optimale.

Pour en savoir plus, allez voir notre article sur hydratation allaitement.

Author

Marie de Chaumont Quitry

Co-founder of Jolly Mama

Marie de Chaumont Quitry is the co-founder of Jolly Mama, a brand dedicated to maternal wellbeing through nutrition. A mother of three daughters whom she breastfed, she discovered in the United States, after her first pregnancy, the powerful impact of diet on motherhood. Passionate about the subject, she co-created Jolly Mama to help women navigate this essential period through tailored, caring nutrition.