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| |    Fluid Needs of Babies by Mary Silva, M.S., R.D. reviewed by Laura Jana, M.D., F.A.A.P. You may, like a lot of parents, give your baby some water to drink every now and then. There's nothing unusual about that; in fact, it's quite common. There's no question that infants lose water throughout the day--in sweat, urine, feces, even by breathing--and, of course, those losses need to be replaced. However, the American Academy of Pediatrics suggests that giving water to infants is unnecessary except in hot weather. In most cases, babies get enough fluids from breast milk or formula, so there's no reason to give them additional water. The problem with too much water In fact, young infants who drink too much water may suffer "water intoxication," a serious condition that occurs when the sodium in the blood becomes so diluted that the body doesn't function properly. What about infants on solid foods? The same rules apply to babies who are eating solid foods. If your infant is drinking enough breast milk or formula, it isn't necessary for her to have water unless the weather is hot. Watch your baby's juice intake, too. If she puts away more than 8 to 10 ounces a day, she may drink less breast milk or formula, both of which contain nutrients crucial for normal growth and development. What to do in the event of illness You may be concerned about your baby becoming dehydrated if she's had a bout of diarrhea or vomiting--and rightly so. In such a case, your physician or nurse practitioner will probably instruct you to give your infant an electrolyte solution.
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