Pedi recommended water for 4.5 mo old

[pangirl]

Yesterday at my DD's well baby pedi visit, the doc recommended starting to offer her water in an open cup a few times a day starting in a couple weeks (when she is 4.5 mo old).

I have loved this doc so far, he is pro-breastmilk and supportive of delayed/selective vax (has a 25 mo old un'vaxed granddaughter), doesn't do flu shots at all in his office, recommends natural remedies. The water comment really threw me off. I was under the impression the kidlet wouldn't need any fluids but breastmilk the first year? And if he was really talking more about cup-training or practicing with her hands, can't she do that with breastmilk instead? He's an older guy, is this a throwback notion or something I should look into more seriously?

[onelilguysmommy]

There is no need for water. It actually can be bad by throwing off electrolytes, etc. They're so little that it doesn't take a lot like it does with an adult, either.

[MelW]

Giving your doctor the benefit of the doubt- maybe he's just talking about cup training. I started giving my daughter a tiny bit of water to play with in a sippy at meal times around that age, partly so she could "participate" at family meals but mostly so she would stop grabbing at the food on my plate and so I could actually eat something. The amount that she actually drank (and still drinks) is very minimal.

If you wanted to start letting her try a cup, you could certainly put breastmilk in it. For me, pumping milk for her to play with and spill seemed like too much work!

And if you don't want to, I don't think there is any need to give any fluids besides breastfeeding for now.