Breastmilk, water and constipation

[mats01_99]

Hi all. My 5 week old daughter has just gone nearly a week without having a poo. I was starting to get concerned about this so I was advised to try her with some water (bolied and left to cool at room temp.) so sure enough a few hours later a dirty nappy appeared!. My wife however was very unimpressed that we had to give her water as she'd been told that breastfed babies shouldn't need water as the milk gives them everything they need. So 2 questions: Is it unusual to go so long without having a dirty nappy and Is it Ok for breastfed babies to have water? Thanks all.

[Pippa68]

As a general rule breastfed babies shouldn't need water ~ however if the weather is hot and breastfeeds aren't increased then giving water is fine ~ it certainly won't harm your daughter to have some :o)

I have 4 children (all breastfed) and from what I can remember it wasn't unusual for them to go longer without having a poo ~ it was something that happened every once in a while and even now my children don't necessarily go every day! if the water has worked for your little girl & has put your mind at rest then keep at it.

[noxlumos]

Tell your wife to relax and not worry, parenting is not as simple as following a set of instructions, differnt things work for different babies and to give water is fine. We have a large family and some of them had water and some didn't, either way as long as it's working it's fine, so just do what works and throw your books away, they'll send you nuts and worry you to death.

[~posy-jo~]

my daughter was breatfed but needed water every now and again if she got a bit constipated. it won't do her any harm to have some water xXx

[QueenOfSheba]

My midwife told me that breastfed babies can poo infrequently as there is very little waste produced with diet of breastmilk.

Agree with all of above posts too.