Ask Dr Franz

Q: do babies need water other than what is in breast milk and formula?

Ans: YES. they do. EVERYONE including newborns needs water – 1/2 their body weight in ounces per day.

We recommend pedialyte for newborns as it has electrolytes in it and they need 1-2 ounces a day. This flushes their system and helps prevent jaundice and treat it.

For years we mistakenly believed that because formula and breast milk have water in them that that is enough. the little bit of extra water makes a huge difference, and many minor illnesses can actually be prevented by adequate extra water intake per day. Water is necessary in its purest form and does the most good when it is just water…(tea and coffee are diuretics so they do not count toward water intake…)

There is an amazing video on water …check it out.. (didnt realize it would be so big- well it is amazing)

Thanks for asking.

we love helping you improve the health of your family.

Dr Franz