In this post I mentioned that I use water to hold Samuel off for awhile, before his next feeding. Some of you commented saying, you didn't think this was a good idea and asked who told me about this.
Well, no, my pediatrician didn't tell me to do it, but my 3 sisters, who combined have 7 children, and my 85 year old mother, who raised 8 children, all recommended that I use it. The water is from our Brita Water Pitcher, so it's filtered, and it's warmed slightly. He only gets, maybe, 2 ounces a day, but it lets him suck and keeps him from screaming. Sometimes it will put him back to sleep for a few minutes, so I can stretch out his feedings.
4 comments:
It's probably no big deal, but, when I told the pediatrician that we were using filtered tap water, he told me that I had to use bottled distilled water from the grocery store. I would have had no idea if he hadn't said anything. It's really inexpensive, less than a dollar per gallon jug. He said to keep it in the fridge after opening it.
I think the big deal about water is that babies' kidneys aren't developed yet enough to handle extra water. Plus, they burn the calories so fast, and they can't overeat yet, so, if you're going to make up a little bottle, it's probably just as good to use formula.
Once my little guy turns 4 months, I, too, will probably use water to space out the feedings a little, or to fill up his tummy just before nap time. By then, he'll hopefully just be taking 4 big feedings a day. In the meantime, though, our pedi doesn't want us to use anything but formula in the bottle.
I've heard the water thing, too, but I also know lots of people that do it. I would ask your pediatrician just to be sure.
I don't think it is bad for him, but it makes me think that it may be counterproductive. (I have no idea what I am talking about, just doing a little critical thinking). What I mean is that his little belly is so little that if you put water in it, there is less room for formula (which keeps him feeling full) and he may wake up again hungry sooner.
Either way, I think you have to do whatever works for you.
I have a friend who is having her second child tomorrow(she had her first when she was 18). She is reading all sorts of books and called me sobbing because of all the mistakes she made with her first child (putting breast milk in the micorwave, etc.). Her oldest is a wonderful, healthy child who it completely thriving. I think it just goes to show that a lot of things that people make a huge deal over won't make a huge difference and afterall, every child it different!!
Good luck with the sleep! It makes me smile to see your list of things you have tried. Good girl, momma!
My mom says the same thing about water. Yes, you can over do it, but you can do that with anything. It's good for kids to get used to drinking water, and helps them from being constipated.
I'm not sure how much is too much but you might want to ask the pediatrician. I just saw this story in the news recently
http://www.kxan.com/dpp/health/baby_almost_dies_from_water_intake
obviously, your baby isn't malnurished but you may want to check just to be safe.
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