When Do Babies Need Water?

I think after 6 months or so it's safe to introduce water. Check with your ped though. It has something to do with their kidneys not be able to handle water until a certain age. I found prune juice (diluted) to work wonders when we introduced food.

I bf'd and my son didn't become interested in solids until 7 months. I found prune juice (diluted) and pureed prunes to be really helpful. Commercial cereals can have a lot of iron which constipates. Don't get too hung up on the cereal thing either. YOu can give fruits and veggies. Remember, food is just an experiment the first year. Your baby should be getting the bulk of her nutrition from you. You're smart to take it slow and easy. My inlaws thought I was nuts but you know what? My son has no food sensitivities and is a really good eater even though he started about 4 months later than his cousin (who now has food sensitivities and eating issues).

I'd recommend the book, Super Baby Foods. The author's a little over the top on some things but it's a great reference of what foods to introduce and when. I actually had a lot of fun making baby foods and it wasn't hard at all. I even made him his own cereals that he liked a lot more. (He absolutely hated rice cereal).

Dont' be surprised if there's gas. My guy was gassy anyway. Maybe it was from my diet. The poo also get's more interesting too but nothing that really bothered me. I think my son was constipated from time to time so the prunes were good for him.

Good luck and have fun!

One of my breastfed boys didn't have any water until around 12 months old. The second breastfed boy had water at 8 months, on a day that we were outside all day long in the extreme heat. He also had breastmilk in regular feedings that day, but was extra thirsty and I wasn't producing extra milk, so I added a bottle filled with water. Both of my boys started on solid foods at 6 months. Breastmilk was their only liquid with the exception of the water on the very hot day. According to my lactation specialist, if they are breastfed 4 or more times per day (a complete meal), they don't need additional liquids unless it is an extreme circumstance, such as a very hot day where they are in the heat for an extended period of time. That extra liquid could be additional breastmilk, or water. I am not sure at what age you can start feeding water, but I do know that at 8 months it is completely safe. I'm thinking that around 6 months is okay for water.

You should let her have a little water after she eats, because the solid food is hard for the kidneys to process so a little water will help that.

I gave mine a couple ounces of water/day pretty early... so she could use water now. I can't remember what the "rules" are, but I am not a "by the book" mom, so I say do it if you want to. It won't HURT her.
Oatmeal cereal was easier on my son's tummy... but I honestly think that since every child is different, it could just be the "introduction".

You will get a lot of answers and suggestions I'm sure.
GOOD LUCK!

Oh and I second the SBF Book recommendation. There are website/chatrooms dedicated to it. LOVE IT! Great suggestion!

A little water is fine for her age. She is actually old enough to be introduced to solids. A great article for feeding at her age.

http://www.babycenter.com/0_introducing-solid-foods_113.bc