While drinking more water is a good idea for everyone,
especially during the hot summer months, too much water can spill.
Harmful to infants 6 months of age and younger. according to a
study in Clinicians Reviews a 1997 survey of new mothers
found that almost 25 percent give water to their babies in
at least 3 times a week in the first month of life.

Water intoxication is rare in children and adults who are
able to judge own water needs by thirst and activity.
But babies are not capable of doing this. Furthermore, the kidneys of
newborns filter more slowly than older babies,
causing blood sodium levels to dilute.

According to doctors, 24 cases of water intoxication were
reported at St. Louis Children’s Hospital in the years
1989 to 1991. The problem seems to be increasing since only
10 cases were reported from 1985 to 1988. In the cases
reported that the otherwise healthy babies were between 4 and 5 months of age
and drank three 8-oz. bottles of water within 6 to 12 hours.

Symptoms of water intoxication include pale urine, use of
more than 8 diapers a day and the baby sleeps more than usual
and be hard to wake up.

Mothers should be advised that healthy babies receive all
water they need in breast milk or formula.

A baby can get water intoxication as a result of drinking
several bottles of water a day or to drink baby
formula that has been diluted too much.

Water fills the baby up without adding calories, so water
supplementation may result in weight loss or insufficiency
weight gain for the baby.

Pediatricians advise feeding babies 2 to 3 oz. more than
their age in months at each feeding. For example, babies 4
months of age would be fed 6 to 7 oz. three times a day. Further
than 8 ounces in any feeding is rarely necessary. The normal
the proportions of milk and water should be approximately two thirds of milk
to a third of water. With these proportions, the baby
receives about 8 oz of water equally spaced over 24 hours
period. If the formula is diluted, the mild one should not be less
of 50 percent.

Only around seven months of age, when the baby has started
eating solid food, a little water should be introduced into a
cup.

Water poisoning can be prevented by following its
instructions.

For more information on water and its health benefits for
old and young alike: http://www.apluswriting.net/health/babywater.htm

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