Should I offer drinks with solids?

[bugalug]

hi there

We have started solids and we are going really well, loving whatever i give him.

Currently we are having a morning bf around 7-8am and then a solid meal of rice cereal around 9ish.

We then have a bf at lunch time, a bf (sometimes) around 4ish and a solid meal of veges at 5-6pm.

We then have a bf around 7 30 and then bed and bub sleeps through.

I am just wondering should i be offering cooled boiled water or formula with his solid meals. I offer him water on hot days and sometimes he drinks it and some days he is not interested.

Thank you!!

[Barb Glare]

Hi,

Around the time you introduce solids you can introduce water in a cup (or sippy cup) Like food at the beginning it's often more fun that anything else, but it gets them used to it. Formula is completely unnecessary in a normal diet - and displaces the real food babies need - breastmilk and solid food

[Jennifer13]

Hi bugalug

I didn't bother giving water until around 12 mths, until then I just offered a bf after DD's solids meal. If I left her while I was working part-time I would leave some EBM.

[aussienic]

I used to have a cup of cooled boiled water there. not for a drink as such but just there..

[~clover~]

I give a cup of water with food usually. It doesn't always get drunk, but its there.
I actually always have one on hand these days. Then he can help himself if he wants to.
He still has way more BF than water. 6 - 10 BFs a day, but he enjoys his water & its something different for him.

[Lucy]

I'll be honest, I started offering water with solids, as I figured the quicker they got the hang of a sippy cup, the easir life would be for me!

[rufalina]

My DS like playing with the sippy cup, and does have sips of water. I like the thought of him having water with his meals now, to get used to it for later.
*snap* Lucy

[~kaos~]

Wow, you have a very structured day! You make me feel lazy :lol

I'd say if you want, but if you are letting him bf whenever your he wants, then he would be getting all the hydration they need from you. Make sure you keep drinking water too

[bugalug]

thanks for your replies!

kaos - we are somewhat organised but not really!! IYKWIM

I have been offering water in a sippy cup, he chews on the side of the cup and the little sucker thing more than anything else, but hey it will take a while i'm guessing. But he has actually used it properly about 3 times so thats good i guess.

thanks again

[Sammiejane]

I didnt start offering water until my CMHN suggested that i should (about 8mths), not because BF babies particually need it, but its a good habit to get them into as when you have weaned (when ever that may be) they will need to be able to take fluids from a cup.

I tried many many different cups (sippy and straw variety) and the one that she prefers the most is the 'take and toss' brand, i dont throw them away after one use, i have heard tat they are top shelf dishwasher safe, but i just wash with hot soapy water and then rinse...
It wasnt until just reently that she actually consumes much, it was more sip and swallow once and then sip and spit the rest of the time - it was a game for her, but it was there if she needed it and if not she got the message that it was there and by the time that she needed it (now) she knows what to do...kwim

HTH