Parents are advised never to give their baby water, no matter how hot it is

As the UK continues to try to cope with the heat wave, many of us are increasing our water consumption.

But while adults and older children are told it’s important to drink plenty of water, experts urge parents of babies under the age of six months to never give them water.

Even if it is absolutely hot, breastfed babies under six months should never drink water, as a small drop could be fatal.

In fact, it can overload their little belly and prevent them from getting the necessary nutrients in their breast milk.

It can also lead to hyponatremia and water intoxication in children, which are considered to be life-threatening.

Bottle-fed babies can benefit from a little extra water in hot weather, according to the NHS.

The website states: “For babies under 6 months, you should not use the water directly from the main kitchen tap, as it is not sterile.

“You’ll have to boil the tap water first, then let it cool.

“Water for babies over 6 months of age does not need to be boiled.”

Why is water bad for children?

Children don’t need water.

Up to six months of age, breastfed babies should never be given water, while formula-fed babies may be given small amounts of water in hot weather.

According to Katie Zeratsky, a dietician at Mayo ClinicAlthough babies over six months old can take a sip of water from time to time, she said it’s actually not that important because they can survive on a waterless diet until they reach the age of one year.

She said hum“They get all their fluid needs from breast milk or formula. Even on a hot day, they can get all their hydration needs from breast milk or formula. ”

Why is it harmful?

All the nutrients a baby needs are found in breast milk and it is essential that they get everything they need to grow.

For this reason, you should always give your baby milk, as water will affect his ability to absorb proteins, vitamins and all the goodies that milk provides for babies.

Pharmacist Abbas Kanani said so Yahoo United Kingdom“Their stomachs are very small and can easily fill with water, preventing them from getting the nutrients they need.

“Giving a baby water can affect his or her ability to get adequate nutrition.”

What happens if a child drinks water?

If a baby younger than six months consumes water, it can lead to water poisoning.

Katie added: “Water poisoning occurs when too much water is consumed in a short period of time and blood sodium levels drop … creating a tragic situation.”

This can lead to kidney overload, which Katie says can lead to a potential imbalance in electrolyte levels such as sodium.

Meanwhile, Abbas said the sodium drop is the result of too much water in the body, known as hyponatremia.

Subsequently, it could lead to brain swelling, seizures, and in some situations it can even be fatal.