Q: My mum insists that it is okay to give my newborn baby water since she did it with me, but I read that we shouldn’t do so. Doctor, could you kindly share your thoughts on this? 

Answered by: Dr Kelvin Chee Chun Lin, Paediatrician, Pantai Hospital Cheras

This question is one of the most commonly asked questions by parents of new-borns.

It is also a cause of friction of the caregivers of different generations – i.e. the grandparents and parents.

One side would say give, the other would say, doctors and nurses said do not give. 

I would share with you the rationalization of not giving new-born babies water.

The foremost concern is that once the new-born has been fed water, he or she would have the sensation of fullness and would drink less milk, or in extreme cases, refuse further feeding with milk.

As you can imagine, this results in a deficit in the infant’s nutrition, because water is, well, just water.

There is a significant absence of the good stuff important for the baby’s growth and development, namely the nutrients, minerals and vitamins. 

Another concern is the possibility of water intoxication, whereby, because of too much water, baby’s body cells swell up to accommodate the extra fluid, and this can lead to dire consequences to the baby. 

Most health organizations, like the World Health Organization, state that new-born baby’s daily water requirement is already adequately provided by their diet of milk, regardless whether they are taking breast milk or formula milk or mixed.

In fact, more than 80% of breast milk content is actually water.

However, as it is not easy for the elder generation to change their beliefs, I would advise that your mother also be present during the baby’s next doctor visit, and therefore be able to share her concerns.

This would also reassure her that she is still an important part of the caregiving of her new-born grandchild.