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Weaning

Introducing water.

20 replies

Claire5517 · 16/12/2013 10:33

My DD is 18wks old and last week we introduced baby rice once a day into her diet. She has this in the morning after her 1st bottle.

I have read that it is good to introduce water around this stage as well. How do I go about this? How often do your DC have it? At what time in the day - after bottle or before nap etc? Do you give it warm or room temp?

TIA x

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beckslovestimmy · 16/12/2013 11:57

I just offered water with solids in a sippy cup straight from the tap. Firstly it was to get her used to the sippy cup and most was dribbled back out again, then once they start to drop feeds they take more significant amounts. HTH

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lilyaldrin · 16/12/2013 12:03

I wouldn't introduce water at this stage to be honest - you don't want the rice or water to impact on the amount of milk she is getting as that still has to be her main source of nutrition.

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Lorelei353 · 16/12/2013 12:11

I thought you weren't supposed to introduce water until 6 months? All their nutrition and thirst needs are met through breast milk/formula until then.

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JingleJohnsJulie · 16/12/2013 13:30

I wouldn't introduce water either at this age as it will take up tummy space needed for her milk.

Is there a reason you've started weaning so early Claire? Where did you read about the water? Was it in the NHS weaning pages?

Have you read the MN weaning info too Claire? Can really recommend it Xmas Smile

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cupcake78 · 16/12/2013 13:49

No water. Baby needs all the calories and nutrition of milk at such a young age.

Dd is 6 months just began to wean her and she is offered formula milk from a sippy cup.

Ds was 20 weeks when I was advised to wean him by doctors and again he drank milk till he was around 7 months.

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Claire5517 · 16/12/2013 18:03

I tried the rice as sometimes she'll finish her bottle and cry, like it isn't enough. She loves it! She grabs the bowl and is so excited to see it. She has been having 7oz of hungry milk for the last 6 or 7 weeks.

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cupcake78 · 16/12/2013 18:25

Give her 8ozs!

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JingleJohnsJulie · 16/12/2013 18:52

Claire did you know that the hungry baby milk doesn't contain any more calories than regular formula?

Are you feeding to a schedule? If so you might want to offer the mikk more often. If you feed on cue, just try giving her the 8floz.

Unfortunately the baby rice doesn't contain the same amount of calories as the milk and has very little nutritional value.

According to the nhs all the baby needs for the first 6 months is milk and if they are hungry, more milk. Could you talk to your HV about weaning and ffing?

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Claire5517 · 17/12/2013 09:40

Jingle Well, she's been much more content since she's had hungry milk so as long as she's happy then that's all the matters... She has 7oz every 3 hours.

cupcake - If we're talking about guidelines, then if you read the instructions on the formula, the most ozs you can give is 7.

With all due respect, the question I asked was how to give water, not what all your opinions were about me giving my DD water. Yet again, with most threads I see, this will turn into a bashing at the OP!

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lilyaldrin · 17/12/2013 09:45

I've never seen guidelines saying you can't give more than 7oz Confused

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JingleJohnsJulie · 17/12/2013 09:49

Not bashing you OP, it's just that some people, including me with my pfb, simply aren't aware of current weaning guidelines or rely on the information from companies who are there to make some money out of you.

Lots of people don't realise that hungry baby milk contains the same calories and can end up making Lo feel more hungry, not less. My cousin started to give it to her Lo recently and was shocked when we were talking about it and she found this out. She was also surprised that the guidelines on the formula carton are just that, they are a guide. Some babies will take more, others will take a little less.

From what I've read, noone on here has criticized your choices OP they have just made a few suggestions and pointed you in the direction of some good weaning information based on research.

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cupcake78 · 17/12/2013 10:54

I'm not bashing you op. Ds was on hungry baby formula but was up to 9ozs every 2 hours before being advised to wean by doctors at 20 weeks.

Water is not going to help fill your baby!

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Claire5517 · 17/12/2013 13:00

Again, I shall repeat myself........I wasn't after your opinions on whether I should give water or not, I wanted to know how to do it.

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ClaudiusMaximus · 17/12/2013 13:05

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

lilyaldrin · 17/12/2013 13:44

OK - from 6 months ish, tap water in a sippy cup on the table with meals.

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Claire5517 · 17/12/2013 13:50

I am fully aware of the guidance. Not being sensitive, I am just repeating what my questions actually were.

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ExBrightonBauble · 17/12/2013 17:59

Hi Claire, sorry you are feeling got at. I don't think people have intended to offend, simply that they are pointing out that most current advice (including the NHS) is not to introduce water before 6 months. It is potentially problematic, so people naturally want to make sure you are aware.

However, that said, if you want to introduce water, maybe check with your HV about the best way to do it under 26 weeks.

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ilovepowerhoop · 17/12/2013 18:09

there is no maximum oz that you can give. At some points during a growth spurt dd would take up to 12oz in one sitting. Avent even make 10oz bottles.

They cant put all the oz combinations on the tin/tub but do specify 1oz (30mls) to each scoop of powder so you can make up whatever quantity of milk you require.

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ilovepowerhoop · 17/12/2013 18:10

p.s. under 6 months you would give cool boiled water preferably in a lidded free flowing cup. From 6 months you can give tap water

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CornishYarg · 17/12/2013 18:23

The amounts on the side of the formula tin are simply to give an idea of how much a typical baby might drink. They are not maximum or minimum amounts. Personally, I wish the formula companies wouldn't show these average amounts as it confuses a lot of people.

As hoop says, use cooled boiled water till 6 months then tap water is fine. And offer it in a basic cup like a free flow one or a Doidy. You'll probably find very little is drunk for a while.

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