I'm often asked whether a baby needs additional fluids in addition to breast milk during a hot summer. I remember having the same concern in Shanghai, where our daughter spent her first year. So here are a few tips on how to tell if your child needs additional fluids, and more importantly, what kind.
Clue number 1: Urine
A look at the urine provides some insight: If the urine is dark in color and has a foul odor, this indicates insufficient fluid intake . The darker the urine, the more concentrated it is and the more dehydrated your baby is. The urine should be light yellow or straw-colored.
Clue number 2: sunken fontanelle
Babies are particularly sensitive to fluid deficits.
A sunken fontanelle , sleepiness, rarely wet diapers and no or hardly any tears when crying are clear warning signs of dehydration.
Clue number 3: Constipation
Stool behavior is also a good indicator of whether a child is getting enough fluids. Hard stools or constipation can indicate an increased need. Many babies initially refuse to drink anything other than milk and will refuse a bottle or sippy cup. If your child is healthy and alert and has 5-6 wet diapers a day, there's no reason to worry . They'll get enough fluids from their milk feeds and purees. Otherwise, a slow and patient introduction to the cup is required.
Diluting infant formula is unnecessary and can even be problematic in extreme cases. If your baby receives formula that is too diluted, they will thrive less because the diluted formula contains too few nutrients. Water intoxication can also occur because babies drink too much of the diluted formula out of hunger and are unable to excrete the extra water through their kidneys.
The best thirst quencher is still plain water. Water is good for baby teeth and
Available everywhere. Tap water in Switzerland does not need to be boiled beforehand. Simply let the water run from the tap until it is consistently cold. Standing water in the pipes could be contaminated with germs . The same applies to warm tap water. Be careful with water from your own well or if you still have old iron or lead pipes in your house. Alternatively, you can also use still mineral water .
A second option is various unsweetened teas . You can use baby or children's teas for preparation; these are rigorously tested for harmful substances. Pour boiling water over the herbal tea and let it steep for at least five minutes. This is necessary to kill any germs that may be present in the herbal products.
Suitable teas for your baby are:
Try our Baby Scented Relaxation Tea , with fennel, hibiscus, and chamomile. A great blend for the whole family to end the day or for colic.
Rooibos tea, also known as redbush tea , is caffeine-free and has hardly any bitterness, but long-term experience with its effectiveness is lacking. Black tea is definitely unsuitable for infants. Especially not in iced tea form, because it contains tooth-damaging citric acid and often large amounts of sugar. Peppermint tea should also not be given to babies and toddlers: The menthol it contains is far too strong.
Juices and juice-water or juice-tea mixtures are only the third-best solution. Over time, even unsweetened and diluted juices lead to a significant dependence on sweet tastes. Even if they are natural fructose , it is just as harmful to teeth. Some children are also sensitive to the acid in fruit juices and can easily develop diaper rash.
During the first year, all sweet drinks like syrup, soda, etc. are also taboo. But even during toddlerhood and school age, these drinks should only be consumed on special occasions, no more than once a day. Unsweetened thirst quenchers help prevent tooth decay and obesity!
From about 6 months of age, babies are able to drink from a small cup. Dentists do not recommend a sippy cup, as the tongue movements involved in this "sucking or sucking" are detrimental to jaw development .
So dear ones, I hope I was able to help you with this information and that you and your child enjoy a carefree summer.
Heartfelt
your Ursula
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