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First, you are right
that breastfed babies generally do not need water supplements.
Breastmilk is mostly water--with a lot of other good stuff mixed in!
The trick is making sure that this information is part of your
hospital's protocol for newborns. You are wise to discuss this with
your pediatrician before your baby is born to see what his standing
orders are. If he agrees that your baby shouldn't be given water
routinely, then that's most of the battle right there. Most likely, if
he agrees with you, the hospital will as well, or at least will go
along with his written orders on the matter.
If he does not agree, one of the best places you can go for specific
recommendations from a source he should respect is the American Academy
of Pediatrics. Earlier this year they came out with a wonderful policy
statement concerning breastfeeding. You can find a complete copy at
their web site: http://www.aap.org/policy/re9729.html.
Two recommendations in this policy statement address water
specifically:
4. "No supplements (water, glucose water, formula, and so forth)
should be given to breastfeeding newborns unless a medical indication
exists. With sound breastfeeding knowledge and practices, supplements
rarely are needed."
and
7. "In the first 6 months, water, juice, and other foods are
generally unnecessary for breastfed infants."
This policy comes complete with a bibliography of all the studies used
to come up with the recommendations.
Hope that helps!
Melissa
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