Midwife Care

Excellent advice for managing hot weather!

With the dramatic improvement in the weather for the next couple of days, we're sharing some information from on keeping your breastfed and formula-fed babies hydrated!

Breastfed babies under 6 months old don't need extra water. Your breastmilk water content changes with your baby's needs.

Formula-fed babies under 6 months may be given small sips of water between milk feeds. Tap water (even filtered) must be boiled and cooled first. Bottled water may be inappropriate due to high sodium levels.

From 6 months water can be given to breastfed and bottle-fed babies, and tap water no longer needs to be boiled.

The number of wet nappies is a good indication of how hydrated your baby is. Around 6 in 24 hours is good 💜

You can find more information here:https://static1.squarespace.com/static/59f75004f09ca48694070f3b/t/66840be75685f059721c3e0f/1719929831856/FAQ+-+Water+during+infancy_10Jun2024v2.pdf

Also, please don't forget to keep yourselves safe and hydrated in the sunshine too! 😎🫗☀️

[ID: Should I Give Water To My Baby? guidance and recommendations. Breastfed babies 0-6 months. No extra water is needed for exclusively breastfed babies until solids are introduced. During hot weather breastfeed often to quench your baby's thirst.
Formula fed babies 0-6 months. May need amounts of extra water during hot weather. Tap water is not sterile. It needs to be boiled and cooled first. Bottles water may be inappropriate due to high sodium and sulphate levels. filtered water can be given to babies under 6 months, but still needs to be boiled and cooled.
How much? There is no specific guidance on how much extra water to give babies 0-6 months when it's hot. If needed, give small sips in between milk feeds. Generally, a well hydrated baby produces about 6 wet nappies every 24 hours.
What about babies 6-12 months?
Water can be given from an open cup or beaker as mealtimes from 6 months, and tap water no longer needs to be boiled. young children aged 1-5 years do not need any drinks other than milk and water.
For more information visit: firststepsnurtition.org]

This is an excellent synopsis!

"In the realm of infant nutrition, breast milk stands as an unparalleled composition. Its unique blend of antibodies, enzymes, and specialized nutrients is a testament to the intricate design of nature. This complex fluid, exclusive to each mother-infant pair, showcases the precision of biological craftsmanship. Celebrating the irreplicable nature of breast milk – a tailored symphony of elements crucial for optimal development. 🌿 'sDesign