'And not a drop to drink'--why water is harmful for newborns

Abstract

Breastmilk is a species-specific food, that is, milk made by human mothers for human infants, and thus is the only natural fluid appropriate for the newborn human. There is a plethora of information available discussing the dangers of water supplementation to babies. This article aims to collate the more recent research papers. Fully breastfed babies do not require water, even in the hottest weather. The dangers of newborn water intoxication, risk of reduction in breastmilk supply and early weaning as well as not following the Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding's step six, are discussed. The impact of the attitude of and information from influential persons in the mother's life is also noted.