Why can’t babies drink water but use water on formula milk?
In: Biology
I’m a pediatrician.
As people have mentioned, they need all the nutrition in the formula or breastmilk to grow. If you give them water, that means they’re not drinking as many calories.
Even more importantly, giving a baby any significant amount of just regular water can effectively “water down” their blood electrolyte levels, particularly their sodium. This can cause brain swelling, seizures, and death. Their kidneys will not regulate their sodium/water balance quickly enough for this to be safe. I have treated this issue multiple times, and this is why the doctors in the newborn nursery tell you this before you leave. This is why most pediatricians will ask how you are mixing the formula at your newborn baby visits, to make sure it’s the correct ratio.
Babies should drink nothing but breastmilk or properly mixed formula. We will sometimes recommend Pedialyte if the baby is sick and not tolerating breastmilk/formula, but this is only for special circumstances, and should only be done under the advice from your pediatrician.
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