At what age can I give my baby a bottle of water if I am breastfeeding?

Absolutely not. ALL she is supposed to have at this age is breastmilk or formula, per the AAP. (Per their statement, linked below, "Supplements (water, glucose water, formula, and other fluids) should not be given to breastfeeding newborn infants unless ordered by a physician when a medical indication exists." Also, "During the first 6 months of age, even in hot climates, water and juice are unnecessary for breastfed infants and may introduce contaminants or allergens.")

She shouldn't have water until after 6 months of age, and then only in small amounts. (Say maybe a couple of ounces to wash down a solid meal.) Giving water to a baby as young as yours can actually be dangerous. She can get a serious condition called water intoxication. (See link below.)

It is NORMAL for a 3 week old to be eating every hour. She DOES need to eat that often. Breastmilk digests in about 90 minutes. Her tummy is only the size of her tiny fist. And she is growing FAST right now.

She is also probably going through her 3 week growth spurt. (Common times for growth spurts are during the first few days at home and around 7-10 days, 2-3 weeks, 4-6 weeks, 3 months, 4 months, 6 months and 9 months.) Growth spurts are a time of frequent nursing where she works to boost your supply to meet her new needs.

Also, giving water to a baby this young will cause her tummy to get filled up but no calories or nutrients to go in! This can lead to poor weight gain and also damage your milk supply.

Also, keep in mind that she was still inside you just 3 short weeks ago. She could see/hear/smell/taste/feel you every second of every day. Now, you're apart and she doesn't understand it. She doesn't understand yet that the two of you are separate people. She doesn't understand that you still exhist when she can't sense you. That is scarey for her. The transition from womb to world is HUGE and she needs constant contact with mom to help her through that "fourth trimester" and get used to the big wide world.

Breastfed babies should not require any supplementation-- formula *or* water. At three weeks, your baby is growing around the clock, and still needs her nutrients around the clock, just as when she was still in your womb so recently.

The nursing pattern you describe is very typical for many babies. Breastfeeding gives the jaws quite a workout! Many babies simply are not strong enough to feed for long periods and take in tons of milk. It may take a month or two for her jaws to develop more, and for her stamina to increase so she can feed longer and take in more milk at once.

Other factors can influence an otherwise healthy baby's ability to nurse effectively, as well: low birthweight, predates or postdates birth, jaundice, and many others.

I wish that the baby books would be more realistic and state that SOME babies will nurse in this near-constant pattern for the first couple of months, so moms would know that it can be a normal nursing pattern. Then maybe we wouldn't all be so worried that our babies aren't following the "textbook" patterns and behaviors, KWIM? But, even though we've been breastfeeding babies since the Dawn of Mankind, the art of nursing was nearly lost during the past century, leaving much of our ancestors' wisdom to be re-learned. The fact that lots of babies need time to become strong enough nursers to settle into the typical 2-3 hour spacing between feeds, seems to be one of those lost morsels of wisdom.

Congratulations, and best of luck!

Sounds to me like your baby is cluster feeding to gear up for a growth spurt. Breastfeeding is about supply and demand, and baby knows they're going to get ready for a growth spurt, so they nursing more frequently to boost your milk supply so they'll have lots of yummy mama milk when they need it for their growth spurt. Your 3 week old is right on track, for one, there's one at 2-3 weeks and another at 4-6 weeks.

http://www.kellymom.com/bf/normal/growth-spurt.htm...

Breastfed babies do not need water - keep in mind that breastmilk is 88% water. Even in the first few days after birth, before mom's milk has "come in", colostrum is all that is needed to keep baby well hydrated (assuming baby is nursing effectively). Per the American Academy of Pediatrics, "Supplements (water, glucose water, formula, and other fluids) should not be given to breastfeeding newborn infants unless ordered by a physician when a medical indication exists... During the first 6 months of age, even in hot climates, water and juice are unnecessary for breastfed infants and may introduce contaminants or allergens."

In addition, breastfed babies do not require water when it is very hot outside, assuming baby is allowed to nurse as needed. Baby can get all the liquids needed via breastmilk. A number of studies have determined that an exclusively breastfed baby does not need extra water - these studies have been done in various locations (both humid and dry) at temperatures ranging from 22-41°C (71.6-105.8°F) and 9-96% relative humidity [see references below].

As long as she has the breastfeeding down, you should have no problem with nipple confusion. Some doctors say you shouldn't give htem much water blah blah blah... all I can do is go off of my grandmother who had 13 healthy children. Once her babies were two months old and had the breasfeeding down to a science, she alternated a few ounces of water in a bottle with breast. Again, like I said, not scientifically sound but just remember, trial and errror... what works for others may not work for your baby and also remember babies have been raised for millions of years long before Dr. Sears and Dr. Spock and all of these other parenting "experts". You don't always have to follow a book or a doctor. Do what works for you, your baby,and your family. Good luck and have confidence in yourself to make the right decision.

A newborn has no need for a bottle of water, unless suggested by a doctor for a medical reason. They get their water from your milk, and giving them a straight bottle of water is taking away from their breastmilk consumption. You dont need to give them water until you are introducing them to a sippy cup around 7 months old.

It's completely normal for a baby that young to eat every hour....TOTALLY normal! DON'T give any water yet without talking to your doctor first. PLEASE! Everything she needs is in your breast milk. You'll just have to suck it up and do it, I did, and so do A LOT of other women. She needs all the nutrients and anti-bodies you can give her right now! This too shall pass!!!!! Good Luck

she does not need any water. right now she needs her nutrients. she really is hungry and not thirsty. breastmilk takes about 90 minutes to digest. so it makes sense that she is eating every hour.

Water is not a good idea. You could cause an electrolyte imbalance. http://chemistry.about.com/cs/5/f/blwaterintox.htm...

Infants and children are especially vulnerable which can result in Water Intoxication & Hyponatremia. Here's another aritcle: http://www.jdaross.cwc.net/fluid2.htm

they always say everything the baby needs is in the milk or formula. if you choose to give it water, make sure it isn't tap, lots of crap in tap.

you can give the baby water from the first day she was born