Why babies should not be given water for the first 6 months

A baby has nearly 75 per cent of water in their bodies as compared to 50-55 per cent of the same in adults. With so much water present already, the baby won't be able to handle any more amount of water consumed.

A newborn baby unlike the rest of us should not drink water up to the first six months. Even a small quantity of water consumed can be fatal. Here’s why:

A baby has more water in the body

A baby has nearly 75 per cent of water in their bodies as compared to 50-55 per cent of the same in adults. With so much water present already, the baby won’t be able to handle any more amount of water consumed.

Water toxicity

If a baby drinks too much water, it can lead to water intoxication. Cells in the body are designed to store water and salts together. If the baby drinks water, leading to excess water and relatively less salt, the cells try to retain more water by absorbing more salt, which leads to reduced salt in the body.

Developing kidneys

Apart from micro cellular changes, babies have newly formed kidneys that are still growing. So, they are unable to handle too much water, resulting in water toxicity. Needless to mention, water toxicity can be extremely harmful for the baby and can lead to seizures, brain damage or sometimes even death.

How much water can your baby drink?

After six months, your baby can start having a few sips of water few times a day. Babies who drink formula milk need to have more water in comparison to babies who are breastfed, say experts.

The baby can start drinking 30-40 ounces of water a day once he or she is at least a year old.

Source: Indian Express