It is important to understand that providing excessive amounts of water to a baby aged six months or younger can be harmful. Dr. Karan Rajan, an NHS surgeon and health educator, emphasizes that infants are not yet capable of effectively processing large quantities of plain water. To ensure their safety, it is crucial to limit their water intake.

In a video, Dr. Rajan illustrates this point by sharing a clip where a woman, cradling her baby, poses the question, “Not to sound stupid, but can’t you just drink water to get hydrated?” The response, “No, I’ll die,” appears over the baby. The underlying science is as follows:

‘Babies are not mature enough to filter large volumes of plain water’

“Babies are not mature enough to filter large volumes of plain water.” Dr. Rajan advises, “If you are responsible for a young child or are expecting one, this is vital information to ensure their safety.” He notes that exclusively breastfed infants under six months do not require any additional food or drink. For formula-fed infants in the same age group, small amounts of cooled, boiled water may be necessary during hot weather, but it should not be excessive.

According to Dr. Rajan, newborns possess kidneys that are significantly smaller than those of adults and are still developing, which limits their ability to filter large amounts of plain water effectively.

‘Extra water can dilute the salt in the blood’

“Excess water can dilute the salt in the blood.” This raises the question of how breast milk, which is approximately 87% water, and formula milk, which is about 85% water, are safe for infants. Dr. Rajan clarifies that both types of milk contain essential nutrients and electrolytes mixed with carefully regulated amounts of water, making them safe for consumption. However, providing too much additional water, whether by overly diluting formula or offering it separately, can lead to a dangerous dilution of blood salt levels.

If the concentration of salt in the bloodstream is reduced, it may result in hyponatremia, characterized by an extremely low sodium level. In severe instances, this condition can cause cerebral edema, seizures, and potentially fatal outcomes due to water intoxication. Additionally, adults are also at risk of water intoxication if they ingest excessive amounts of fluid within a brief period.

For infants, however, the safety margins are considerably narrower. According to Dr. Rajan in the video, infants under six months possess a very limited stomach capacity and exhibit a slower gastric emptying rate compared to adults, which means they become satiated more quickly. Providing excessive amounts of water may prevent them from consuming sufficient milk, potentially leading to deficiencies in essential nutrients or energy.

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